18th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference
Relevant Teaching
Thursday, September 24, 2026 | Virtual Sessions
Friday, September 25, 2026 | In-Person Sessions
The Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning invites all graduate students, faculty and staff at George Mason University to submit proposals to present on their teaching and teaching-focused research at the 18th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning (ITL) Conference. ITL is an opportunity for the entire George Mason community to come together to exchange tips, strategies, tools, and resources with colleagues from across the university. This hybrid conference will have virtual sessions on Thursday, September 24, 2026, and in-person sessions on Friday, September 25, 2026.
This year’s theme is Relevant Teaching. In recent years, pedagogy has been rocked with seismic changes through the introduction of AI, the arrival of Gen Z students, the long-term impact of Covid’s disruption to learning and questions around the value of higher education. Now more than ever, it is important for educators to articulate the value of what they do in the classroom. This year’s theme provides an opportunity for all instructors to share their experiences with making instruction relevant beyond the classroom. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Project-Based/Inquiry-Based Learning
- Real-World Problem Solving
- Media and/or Digital Literacy
- Civic Engagement and Experiential Learning
- Active Learning
- Assignment/Course Design
- Blended and Hybrid Learning
- Technology Integration in Education
- Collaborative Learning