On-Demand Workshop Videos

This 2025 Picnic PD workshop showcased an interactive exploration into curiosity and adult learning. Questions discussed included: What role does curiosity play in adult learning? How can curiosity be sparked in adult learners? And how can we foster curiosity in both virtual and face-to-face classrooms? Watch to discover how to create a learning environment that encourages inquisitiveness and lifelong learning. 

Keywords:  curiosity, adult learning, motivation

This 2025 Picnic PD workshop relied on adult neurodevelopment research to explore 5 tips for teaching and reaching the adult brain. According to research in brain-based learning, specifically for adults, the professional learning opportunities developed in the workshop included the promotion of memory activation, opportunities for self-regulation, and emotional and socio-emotional connection. These opportunities were optimally designed by prioritizing real-life applications and actively and intentionally organizing the material for adult learners. The session offered research-supported recommendations and provided practical strategies specifically for adult brains to inform small, discernible improvements to course activities. The practical suggestions and examples given demonstrated a variety of learning contexts, including synchronous, asynchronous, online, in-person, and open education courses.

Keywords:  andragogy, neurodevelopment, memory, self-regulation

This video introduces the Bloomberg School of Public Health Learner, focusing on student data and trends. It uses data from the JHU Graduate Student Composition (Fall 2024) report, the JHU institutional profile in the National Center for Education Statistics, and insights from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) 2024 Forum Conference to identify our students and what they expect from their graduate learning experience. It also explores what these data and trends mean for learner-centered teaching and learning at BSPH. While the focus of the data analysis is on BSPH, schools across the university can benefit from watching.

In today's digital learning landscape, online discussions transcend mere communication - they are strategic opportunities to build relationships, deepen engagement, and cultivate collaborative learning. Drawing from contemporary learning science, this session equipped educators with evidence-based approaches to 1) design intentional, relationship-building introductory activities, 2) facilitate purposeful asynchronous discussions, and 3) leverage structured peer feedback. Watch this recording to discover how to create engaging, meaningful online discussions that foster a strong sense of community and gain strategies for assessing and strengthening community in your online learning environment.

Keywords: engagement, community-building, discussion, online

NOTE: This is a recurring workshop. 

The workshop identified several ways digital accessibility directly impacts pathways to learning. Participants were introduced to the principles of accessibility and given a set of questions to guide them in embracing and understanding the practice. Strategies were provided to make some feasible, initial steps to increase access to their communication, assignments, and other activities to include all learners.

During the session, an empathy exercise was shared. The personas and scenarios exercise aimed to stretch our perspectives in understanding how embracing minor changes in practice, aligned with accessibility, actually benefit everyone.

Participants were asked to remediate a sample PowerPoint and Word presentation on their own. The files and accompanying solution videos are available to all members of the JHU community by request.