Call For Proposals
Proposals are due January 16, 2026 12PM EST
The University of Florida’s Center for Teaching Excellence invites UF and Non-UF Faculty, Staff, Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, Post-docs, and Educators to submit proposals for a 30 or 50-minute session at the 2026 Interface Conference, held in the Reitz Union on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29.
The Interface Teaching Conference is a dynamic two-day event designed to support and inspire educators both within and beyond the University of Florida. Day 1 will focus on teaching and learning with hands-on activities while day 2 will focus on research in teaching and learning. Here are some tracks we suggest your proposals follow:
1. Building Relationships through Innovative Teaching
Focus: Engaging, student-centered pedagogy and course design
Topics may include:
- Active learning approaches that promote connection and engagement
- Building strong instructor-student connections
- Graduate/undergraduate teaching strategies
- Student voice and co-creation in learning environments
- Interdisciplinary and integrative curriculum design
- Strategies for large enrollment courses
- Experiential learning that deepens student engagement
2. Technology in Teaching: Tools and Platforms
Focus: Technology-enhanced teaching and learning environments
Topics may include:
- AI-powered teaching tools
- Designing effective online course modules
- Learning analytics and adaptive platforms to personalize instruction
- Emerging technologies for engagement and assessment
- Scalable strategies for large enrollment courses
- Designing quality virtual learning experiences
3. Learning through Assessment and Feedback
Focus: Measuring learning and supporting student growth
Topics may include:
- Innovations in formative feedback and grading practices
- Using course analytics and evaluations to improve learning outcomes
- Designing assessments that promote deep learning and engagement
- Course revision and redesign informed by course and student data
- Research on grading and measuring learning outcomes
4. Professional Development, Mentorship, and Leadership
Focus: Professional growth and institutional impact
Topics may include:
- Faculty learning communities and peer coaching
- Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students
- Leadership in curriculum innovation and change management
- Instructor well-being and career development
- Reframing accessibility as equity in teaching
5. Resilience while Navigating a Changing Workforce Environment
Focus: How institutions can support both instructors and students in navigating today’s challenges.
Topics may include:
- Addressing instructor burnout and promoting sustainable teaching practices
- Navigating workload, expectations, and economic pressures in higher ed
- Building community and connection among instructor across disciplines
- Supporting students facing uncertainty in the job market and career pathways
- Addressing the impact of AI on majors, skills, and future employment
- Mental health and resilience strategies for students under pressure
Past Interface Resources
Select a year to view handouts, presentations, and sponsors.
Interface 2021
“Better Together: Unstoppable Student Teams”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
Although students may have diverging opinions on group work, creating diverse teams that collaborate on creative assignments can energize students and result in greater learning that incorporates multiple perspectives.
Handouts and Presentations
- Virtual Experiences Research Group (Day 1 Welcome), Jacob Stuart
Recording [11:53]
- Virtual Storytelling for All to Improve the Social Good (Day 2 Welcome), Benjamin Lok, Ph.D.
Recording [11:31]
- Care, Community and Hospitality: Supporting Student Collaboration in Online and Hybrid Environments (Keynote), Maha Bali, Ph.D.
PowerPoint | Recording [34:13]
- The Future of Inclusive Teams (Keynote Panel), Natalie Asorey, Gina Hong, Joshua Walden, Kevin MacPherson, David Silvestain and Marko Suvajdzic
Recording [54:15]
- Building Cultural Competence Virtually: Virtual Exchange Projects, Erika Brooke, Ph.D.
Handout | PowerPoint | Recording [32:27]
- Global Learning Gaps? First, Tell Me Who You Are: The Impact of Ethnicity and Gender, Paloma Rodriguez, Timothy Brophy, Ph.D., and Mary Kay Carodine, Ph.D.
Handout | PowerPoint | Recording [20:49]
- Team-Based Virtual International Interactions in STEM Courses, Diba Mani, Ph.D.
PowerPoint | Recording [25:31]
- The Secret Sauce: Optimizing Outcomes with Team-Based Learning, Harrison Hove
Recording [25:46]
- Ensuring Student Success with Honorlock, Jose Gonzalez
Recording [25:30]
- Streamline Your Inclusive Course Design, John Scott, Ph.D. & Jennifer K. Smith
Recording [27:58]
- Utilizing Tools for Creativity and Collaboration in Online Project-Based Courses, Johnny Wu
Handout | PowerPoint | Recording [23:26]
- Starting at the Beginning: Understanding Yourself and Your Role in Group Dynamics, C.C. Suarez, Ph.D. & Jarred Shellhouse
Recording [30:37]
- Collaborative Learning Teams + Doses of Intention = Student Teamwork Skill Development, Priti Patel, Pharm.D. & Stacy Miller, Pharm.D.
Handout | PowerPoint | Recording [28:02]
- Teaching and Learning About Pandemics During the COVID-19 Crisis, Sara Agnelli, Ph.D., Gabriela Hamerlinck, Ph.D. & Rania Gollakner, Ph.D.
PowerPoint | Recording [16:23]
- Designing Active and Collaborative Learning Opportunities in Online Biology Courses, Stefanie Gazda, Ph.D. & Kellie Goughnour
Handout | Recording [20:16]
- Inclusive Environments in STEM: Exploring Social Factors Affecting Team Dynamics and Performance, Sindia Rivera-Jimenez, Ph.D.
Recording [27:17]
- Connecting UF Classes and the Global Language Community Through Virtual Exchange, Jennifer Wooten, Ph.D. & Laura Callahan
Handout | PowerPoint | Recording [20:30]
- Engaging Diverse Teams of Students in Research via Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), Anthony Auletta, Ph.D. & Peter DiGennaro, Ph.D.
Handout | Recording [38:34]
Sponsors
- Blackboard Ally
- Honorlock
- McGraw Hill
- Perusall
- iClicker
- UF Conference Department
- UF Distance Learning
Interface 2019
“Learning Beyond 4 Walls”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
Join other faculty, staff, and graduate students in expanding student learning beyond the classroom!
Handouts and Presentations
- Experiential Learning through Virtual Exchange Part I: Global Perspectives, Crystal Marull, Ph.D., Ginny Greenway, Ph.D., Mary Risner, Ed.D., and Sonia San Juan
Powerpoint
- Escape Rooms: Helping Students Find the Key to Real-World Problem Solving, Angelina Vascimini and Stacey Curtis, Pharm.D.
Handout | Powerpoint
- Virtual Spaces and Graduate Research Mentoring, Swapna Kumar, Ed.D.
Powerpoint
- Out of Your Seats and into the Streets, Kevin Baron, Ph.D.
Handout | Powerpoint
- Experiential Learning through Virtual Exchange Part II: Student and Faculty Voices, Crystal Marull, Ph.D., Ginny Greenway, Ph.D., Mary Risner, Ed.D., and Sonia San Juan
Handout | Powerpoint
- Augmenting the Curriculum: Pedagogical Possibilities for Augmented Reality, Jason Crider, Madison Jones, Shannon Butts, and Sid Dobrin, Ph.D.
Powerpoint
- Integrating Career Readiness into your Curriculum, Jaysen Williams and Nili Cimand
Powerpoint
- Global Learning Spaces, Monika Oli, Ph.D. and Paula Delpech, Ph.D.
Powerpoint
- Connecting the Dots with ePortfolios, Andie Cochran, Mutlu Çitim-Kepic, Paloma Rodriguez and Rori Bloom, Ph.D.
Resources
- Excursion Learning: Innovating Curriculum Inside and Outside the Classroom, Meg Leroy, Ph.D. and Rachel Slivon, Ph.D.
Powerpoint
- Experiential Learning among Native Americans: Challenges, Opportunities, and Insights for Political Scientists, Richard Conley, Ph.D.
Powerpoint
Sponsors
- ProctorU
- Adobe
- 3PlayMedia
- iClicker
- Canvas
- Turnitin
- Top Hat
- Zoom
- Shadow Health
- Conference Department at UF
- UF Distance Learning
- Honorlock
Interface 2018
“Student Voices Transform Teaching”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
Interface 2018 is your ticket to making good use of the formative and summative information that students can provide. Learn how UF faculty collect and integrate student feedback into their courses.
Handouts and Presentations
- Feedback-Fever, Dr. Matthew Sowcik
- Feedback-with-Zoom, Dr. Kelli Peck Parrott and Dr. Jason Arnold
- Real-time Data-Driven Facilitation with Microsoft Forms, Dr. Rich Segal, Dr. Shannon Miller, and Linda James
- Real World Learning – Swamp-Tank, Dr. Stacey Curtis and Shane Ryan
- In Electronic Gallery Walk: an Excel Online Solution for Solution for Large Enrollment Classroom Activities, Dr. Steve Smith and Linda James
- Communication-Voice, Susan Schuld
- Feedback: Using Canvas to Manage the Evolution of Your Course Based on Student Feedback, Emma Brady Selcuk Dogan, and Andrew Reynolds
Sponsors
- Platinum
- Silver
- Adobe
- 3PlayMedia
- iClicker
- Canvas
- turnitin
Interface 2017
“Beyond Multiple Choice: Creative Assessment”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
UF Faculty will share proven assessment strategies. Learn how your colleagues effectively integrate and manage different types of assessments into their courses. Get tips on how to evaluate alternative types of assessments efficiently. Gain insights into helping your students get the most out of their
feedback. Transform the teaching and learning experience and be inspired by your
colleagues from different disciplines across campus!
Presentation Teasers
Recordings, Handouts & Presentations
- Welcome (32:25), Clay Hurdle
- Student-Centered Assessment: Simplified (1:02:36), Jared Steing (Keynote)
- Capsim-Global DNA (9:19), Amanda Phalin, Ph.D. Handout | Presentation
- Peer-Led Formative Assessment (11:55), Ann Harding (PK Yonge) Handout | Presentation
- Environment, Christy Carter Handout
- The Classroom, Ed Schaefer Handout
- Creating an Effective Online Science Lab (13:24), Emma Brady
- SpeedGrader and GoReact for Time-efficient Feedback (12:33), Fiona Barnes, Ph.D. & Dorothy McCawley, Ph.D.
Handout | Presentation
- Role Playing for Real-World Experience (18:19),Greg Kiker, Ph.D.
- Using ePortfolios, Sharon Bradley
Handout | Presentation
- Canvas Outcomes, Jennifer Smith
Handout| Presentation
- Create Canvas Questions, Pat Thompson
Handout | Presentation
- Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique, Rachel Walters
Handout | Presentation
- Adobe Mobile Apps (19:32), Patrick Koster
- Creating Quizzing in Canvas (14:17), Patrick Thompson, Ph.D.
- IF*AT (12:25), Rachel Walters, Ph.D.
- Creative Assessment with Kahoot! (18:07), Sarah Bleakney, Ph.D.
Handout | Presentation
Sponsors
- Platinum
- Gold
- Other
- UF Conference Department
- Distance and Continuing Education
- Center for Teaching Excellence
Interface 2016
“Lessons Learned by Instructors: Combining Active Learning with Technology.”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
The Spring 2016 Interface Teaching Conference will be an interactive event highlighting low- and high-technology learning tools. Faculty presenters will share experiences and time-saving tips from their use of technology in teaching to support active learning methods. Try out the tools others have used to transform the teaching and learning experience. Be inspired by your colleagues from different disciplines across campus!
Handouts and Presentations
Sponsors
- Center for Teaching Excellence
- UF Conference Department
- UF College of Medicine
- UF Distance & Continuing Education
- Adobe
Interface 2015
“Critical Reflection in Action”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
The reflective practitioner values the “bigger picture” and the relationship between learning activities, courses, academic programs, and past and future life experiences and plans. The purpose of the Interface Teaching Conference is to look through the lenses of quantitative and qualitative methods and use these perspectives for reflection on practice. This process has a great deal of ambiguity; there is often no one right answer or solution for everyone. Rather, the intent of Interface Teaching Conference is to spark ideas and foster discussion and conversation. Together, we will critically reflect on our own beliefs and actions, and create opportunities for growth, in teaching.
Videos
Sponsors
Interface 2014
“Enhancing Creativity and Engagement through Academic Communities”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
The challenge is how to create, leverage, and sustain these kinds of academic communities at the University of Florida not just for academics, but also for students in our academic environment. Creating various types of academic communities can be an effective way to build engagement both inside and outside of the classroom.
Sponsors
Interface 2013
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
Explore and examine pedagogy, the science of teaching, and the teaching practice itself in blended learning environments as they relate to “reading, reflecting, displaying, and doing” in our disciplines.
Sponsors
Interface 2012
“Open Resources, Open Possibilities”
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
For ten years, MIT has made all of its educational content available for anyone wanting to use it. During the same time period, Stanford has championed Creative Commons, which has defined and made available a form of open intellectual property attribution. Many other institutions and organizations are moving in the direction of open content and resources. At the University of Florida, we are exploring the implications of “Open Resources, Open Possibilities” and the impact on teaching and learning in higher education by focusing our Interface Faculty Seminar on the use of open and free resources on our own campus.
Presentations
Sponsors
Interface 2011
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
The Fall 2011 Interface program will feature a series of “lightning rounds” – short demonstrations of technology use and instructional practices – presented by selected UF instructors identified for their innovative and effective use of technology in teaching. In addition to viewing these demonstrations, Interface participants will have opportunities for face-to-face discussion with both presenters and peers.
Sponsors
College of Journalism and Communications
Interface 2010
Interface Teaching Conference Overview
Interface is an opportunity to recognize innovative faculty, provide a forum for professors to share their work with other disciplines and foster interdisciplinary collaborations on future projects.
