Resilience and Innovation: Insights from the Teaching Exchange Symposium

Attending the inaugural Teaching Exchange Symposium was an enriching experience, where the theme "Cultivating Purpose, Nurturing Growth" guided both reflection and discovery. Educators, instructional staff, and graduate students engaged in sessions that blended theoretical insights with practical strategies, deepening our understanding of what it means to teach in today’s evolving educational landscape.

A standout session for me, “Flipping Failure: Metacognitive Strategies to Spark Grit and Growth” by Sherilyn Keaton and Lindsay Lutman, reframed setbacks as catalysts for growth. This aligns with Saundra McGuire’s Teach Students How to Learn (2015) and Angela Duckworth’s Grit (2016). Drawing from these works, Keaton and Lutman adapted the Post Exam Learning Opportunity (PELO) concept, allowing students to revisit unmastered exam concepts and regain points by demonstrating improved understanding. This approach supports students by reinforcing the idea that perseverance is not just about pushing through, but about learning from setbacks and using them to drive future success.

Another key takeaway from Keaton and Lutman was the 3-2-1 reflection technique, adapted from Teaching with the Brain in Mind (2005) by Eric Jensen. By identifying three things learned, two questions, and one enjoyable moment, students deepen their understanding and retention. As Keaton and Lutman emphasized, metacognitive strategies like this foster reflection and can help to more deeply engage students in the learning process.

I also attended the virtual session “The TREASURE Within Us,” which explored resilience by focusing on strength-based pedagogies that build on each learner's inherent strengths. Presenters Vignesh Subbian, Hannah Budinoff, Ann Shivers-McNair, and Gimantha Perera shared strategies for fostering inclusive environments, including appreciative interactions, collaborative projects, and strength-mapping tools that turn challenges into opportunities. The discussion highlighted the transformative potential of these methods in post-secondary education and beyond.

Lastly, the World Café session on Technology and AI Integration emphasized the need to align technological tools with educational goals. One innovative practice shared by a participant, the "media moment," allowed students a brief break during class to check their phones, which reportedly helped to refresh focus and engagement. This approach highlighted how personal technologies need not be policed but can be integrated into a balanced learning environment. Towards the end of the session, our conversation shifted to AI, sparking an inspired discussion about its capabilities, ethical implications in education, and the transformative impact it will have on our work.

Leaving the symposium, I felt energized and equipped with new strategies to enhance my work in supporting instructors and learners. I hope fellow educators left with a similar sense of inspiration, ready to implement fresh ideas in their classrooms.

References

McGuire, S. Y. (2015). Teach students how to learn: Strategies you can incorporate into any course to improve student metacognition, study skills, and motivation. Stylus Publishing.

Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Scribner.

Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind (2nd ed.). ASCD.