Trine well-represented at annual Teaching and Learning Conference
March 17, 2025
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Joanna Claudy, standing, assistant professor in Trine University's Department of Humanities
and Communication, watches participants in her session, “From Kahoots to Board Games,
Practical Gamification in the Classroom,” at the 28th annual Fort Wayne Teaching and
Learning Conference.
FORT WAYNE — More than 40 Trine University faculty participated at the 28th annual Fort Wayne Teaching and Learning Conference, with four presenting sessions
and Jeremy Rentz, Ph.D., Schantz Distinguished Professor in the Allen School of Engineering
and Computing, serving as plenary speaker.
Held Feb. 21 at Purdue Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne Teaching and Learning Conference
offers faculty from area institutions the opportunity to share their insights on educating
students more effectively.
“This year’s conference reinforced the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing
landscape of higher education,” said Rentz. “Many sessions focused on innovative ways
to enhance student engagement, leverage technology and support student success — topics
that align well with Trine’s mission to provide high-quality, student-centered education.
With such strong participation from our faculty, we are not just attending but actively
shaping the conversation about the future of teaching and learning.”
Five Trine faculty give presentations
Rentz’s address was titled “Transparent Teaching in the Age of AI” and covered how
transparent teaching can bridge the gap between course objectives and student motivations
while bringing integrity back to the forefront.
Other Trine faculty leading sessions were Michael Smith, assistant professor, Department
of Mathematics, “Annoyingly Effective: Redefining Office Hours as a Core Part of Student
Success”; Joanna Claudy, assistant professor, Department of Humanities and Communication,
“From Kahoots to Board Games, Practical Gamification in the Classroom”; Jill Erwin,
Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Humanities and Communication, “The Artificially
Intelligent: Critical Thinking and Writing in the Era of AI”; and Dawn Moore, adjunct,
Ketner School of Business, “Cultivating Cultural Competence in the Classroom.”
“While we’ve had strong participation in past years, having five faculty members speak
at the conference is a great testament to the growing engagement of our university
in professional development and pedagogical innovation,” said Rentz.
Rentz said Trine University has been a part of the Fort Wayne Teaching and Learning
Conference since it began in 1998, and he’s excited to see the university’s representation
grow.
“The conference offers faculty a chance to engage in meaningful discussions about
teaching strategies, student success and the evolving role of technology in education,”
he said. “Attendees leave with new ideas, practical strategies and connections with
colleagues from other institutions.”
“The Fort Wayne Teaching and Learning Conference has always been a fantastic environment
for educators to exchange ideas, and the increasing number of Trine faculty engaging
as both presenters and attendees highlights our institution’s commitment to continuous
improvement in teaching and learning.”
Trine University’s Master of Science in Business Analytics degree program, offered through the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, is sixth in recent national rankings of most affordable programs in that field.
Trine University’s Spring Career Fair drew about 500 students to the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Inc. Athletic and Recreation Center (ARC) on Feb. 20 to discuss internship and employment opportunities with 105 employers.