Lightning Talks are 15-minute peer-reviewed mini-sessions to learn about creative teaching ideas that colleagues have implemented. The talks are designed to provide brief introductions and explanations of the idea followed by a question and answer period. Talks are presented multiple times, providing participants the opportunity to hear multiple presentations.

Topics for this year’s lightning talks include:

Table 1: Empathy and Transparency: Enhancing Student Mental Health

Ryan Eanes, Klein College of Media and Communication, Temple University

This talk presents a start-of-term teaching strategy that fosters transparency, intellectual candor, and reciprocal vulnerability to support students’ well-being and address mental health challenges.

Table 2: Engaging Students Through Experiential Learning

Judith Corbett Carter, Justice Studies, Berkeley College

This presentation explores how integrating experiential learning from campus events on harm reduction, cannabis legalization, and censorship enhances student engagement and critical thinking in academic settings.

Table 3: Enhancing Classroom Participation and Student Connectedness through Well-Being Practices

Lydia Lynes, Wellness Resource Center, Temple University

Come discuss how intentional class activities/energizers can enhance student connectedness in (and out) of the classrooms and boost classroom participation.

Table 4: EXPLORE: Can You Transform Coursework Presentations into Impactful Research Products?

Jingwei Wu, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University

Outline EXPLORE approach, which transforms student presentations into impactful research by aligning topics with personal interests, enhancing engagement, and bridging classroom exercises with scholarly contributions.

Table 5: Extra! Extra! Using Extra Credit to Bridge Learning Gaps

ROC Corbett, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University 

Extra credit is often viewed as a kind favor by students and a privilege by educators. What if it’s an opportunity to bridge learning gaps?

Table 6: First Steps to a Universal Design for Learning Syllabus

Jennifer Hennessey-Booth, Communication Studies, Eastern University

Creating a UDL syllabus can feel overwhelming. This talk will provide some practical steps that can help with accessibility and inclusivity.

Table 7: How Can GenAI Foster Interdisciplinary Research on Open-Ended Problems Among Undergraduates?

Osman Sayginer, Mechanical Engineering, Temple University

Generative AI bridges students from diverse fields, providing personalized, curiosity-driven research topics, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating a holistic approach to solving open-ended problems.

Table 8: Like, Comment, Subscribe: Integrating Podcasts and Youtube for Effective Teaching

Michael O’Hara, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University

Bill Egan, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University

In this lightning talk, participants will learn how to best integrate podcasts as an alternative learning medium to supplement course lectures and assignments.

Table 9: Pathways to Motivation: Socratic Teaching with Generative AI

Dasanj Aberdeen, Engineering, Temple University

This lightning talk explores using a Generative AI model to emulate the Socratic method with students.

Table 10: Pick a Card: Using Simple Card Magic for Classroom Engagement

Steve Ryan, Advertising & Public Relations, Temple University 

Magic can be a fun way to engage students in classroom concepts. Attendees will learn a simple card trick they can adapt to their disciplines.

Table 11: Playful Mistakes: Teaching Through Failure and Stupidity to Increase Engagement

Sezgin Ciftci, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University

This talk explores a creative and counterintuitive approach to teaching—using intentional playful mistakes and the philosophy of “stupidity” to increase student engagement and motivation.

Table 12: Supporting the Development of Writing Skills Via Flipped Classroom Design

Sarah Heuckeroth, Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships- Youth Employment Project, Temple University