Meet Our Keynote!
Susan Hrach
Author: Minding Bodies: How Physical Space, Sensation, and Movement Affect Learning
2022 Silver Nautilus Book Award for Social Sciences and Education
Susan Hrach is the author of the 2022 Silver Nautilus Award-winning book Minding Bodies: How physical space, sensation, and movement affect learning (WVU Press, 2021). As director of the Faculty Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and Professor of English at Columbus State University in Georgia, her lifelong interests in world literature, translation studies, and global education inform her on-going research and practice.
In 2022-23 she served as Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. Recognized by the University System of Georgia with a statewide Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, she has also served as a scholar for the USG’s Executive Leadership Institute. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation and provides executive coaching within and outside of higher education, incorporating embodied strategies to support mental and physical wellbeing.
Keynote Address: Learning as a Whole-Person Endeavor
Higher education these days can feel rather transactional, and students sometimes expect little more than a transcript of grades and credits for time served. High impact practices offer authentic learning experiences for students working together to develop knowledge and skills, and facilitating these experiences demands more than disciplinary expertise from faculty. What does teaching look and feel like when we give our attention to students as whole persons? If we aspire to such a goal, what current educational norms might be working against us?
In this talk, I’ll define and illustrate embodied learning, which leverages physical movement, spatial awareness, and social relationships to enhance thinking and learning. Key points include the importance of creating community through intentionally designed spaces, and being mindful of our physical presence in both online and in-person classrooms. I’ll highlight the value of sensory experiences with physical objects beyond the keyboard and screen. Participants will draw inspiration to embrace analog strategies in fostering a supportive learning environment.
Afternoon Workshop
Applying the concepts from the keynote talk on embodied learning, participants will gain first-hand experience with practical ways to integrate these ideas. By integrating embodied practices, you can create a more dynamic, engaging, and supportive learning environment that benefits both you and your students. Participants in this workshop will take away concrete strategies for these practices with both in-person and virtual classes. We’ll create plans to
Incorporate Physical Movement: design accessible activities that invite students to move around;
Connect with Nature: find opportunities to offer natural light and fresh air for students’ cognitive bandwidth restoration;
Enrich Relationships: structure ways for students to interact and build relationships, both in-person and online;
Be Mindful of Presence: consider how your physical presence affects interaction within a space (in-person and online); and
Embrace Sensory Experiences: explore possibilities for object-based learning in your discipline.