EdVentures
What is EdVentures?
EdVentures is an informal, monthly series showcasing IWU faculty innovators who serve as your guide through uncharted teaching territories, sharing their experience with innovative tools and pedagogical approaches. These brown-bag sessions will take place in the Thorpe Center on the first Wednesday of the month during the school year.
How do I register?
EdVentures are free to attend. Reservations are strongly encouraged so we have an accurate headcount and can send any follow-up materials electronically.
Upcoming Schedule
Past EdVentures
Curating Care: A Student’s Journey in IWU’s Nursing Archive
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
12 p.m. | Thorpe Center
Dr. Alyssa Culp, Assistant Professor of History
This talk shared a semester-long EdVenture from the Spring 2025 History of Nursing course, where students researched, designed, and curated both a physical and digital exhibit to showcase the legacy of nursing on our campus. It explored how project-based learning, archival research, and digital storytelling deepened student engagement, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and supported the development of a meaningful public-facing project.
From Scattered to Supported: Teaching Students How to Work in Teams
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
12 p.m. | Thorpe Center
Dr. Libby Haywood, Assistant Professor of Biology
Who doesn't have a dreaded group project story? We know that teamwork and collaboration are top marketable skills for our students, but too often we throw them in groups and say "figure it out!" leading to sub-par outcomes, especially for the most marginalized. I'll share strategies I've implemented over the last 6 years in my General Biology laboratory to scaffold semesters-long teamwork projects, including team formation surveys, asset-mapping, conflict management, accountability check-ins, and more!
Implementing a Flipped Classroom Using Class Preparation Tasks (CPTs)
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
12 p.m. | Thorpe Center
Dr. Lisa Hensey, Assistant Professor of Educational Studies
This session explores the flipped classroom model, an instructional approach where students engage with foundational content outside of class through readings and videos, then use class time for higher-order thinking activities like discussion, analysis, and problem-solving. Participants will learn practical implementation strategies including Class Preparation Tasks (CPTs) and discover how this model promotes deeper learning by aligning with Bloom's Taxonomy while supporting diverse learning needs and maximizing valuable in-person instruction time.
Seeking EdVenture Guides
Do you use a creative tool or pedagogical approach in your classroom? We would love for you to join us as an EdVenture Guide. Please reach out to Stephanie Guedet, our Lead Instructional Designer, for more information.