Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT)
Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning
Events » Annual Conference

2022 HILT Conference
“Teamwork: Facilitating Group Dynamics and Encouraging Student Collaboration”

A virtual event
Friday, September 23, 2022

2022 Conference on Teamwork

Solving the complex and systemic issues embedded in our world will require cooperation and collaboration between individuals and groups that span many dimensions, including generations and political ideologies. So, how can we provide opportunities for students to practice moving away from a competitive and individualistic mindset toward a more collaborative one? How do we expose students to different perspectives and enable constructive and collaborative dialog and projects?

The 2022 annual HILT Conference will explore various approaches to collaborative learning and the successes and challenges in facilitating group dynamics. Our plenary session will demonstrate the importance of psychological safety as a foundation for successful teamwork. Breakout sessions will showcase current practices from Harvard faculty across the University on topics related to the effective design and implementation of group projects and collaborative learning. All will highlight students’ first-hand experiences engaging with the learning and teaching environment.

Conference information:

Background: HILT Annual Conference

The Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching annual conference is an event designed to engage Harvard faculty, students, and academic professionals in a university-level dialogue about teaching and learning innovation.

The goals of the HILT Annual Conference are to:

  1. promote dialogue across Harvard’s campuses about educational innovation, including constructive discussion of provocative, thoughtful, and contrasting perspectives;
  2. provide examples of experimental approaches and research studies that generalize across academic fields, in particular, those that help faculty think through how to experiment in their own teaching with the practical insights that come from those examples; and
  3. expand the network of Harvard scholars, instructors, senior leaders, academic professionals, and students who are improving educational practice.

The Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching strives to make our programs and activities inclusive for everyone. If you have questions about accommodations or access, please contact us at (617) 496-7054 or hilt@harvard.edu at least two weeks in advance of your participation.

See content from previous events:

Tackling Global Challenges from the Harvard Classroom and Beyond (September 24, 2021)

HILT’s tenth annual HILT Conference, held virtually on September 24, 2021, explored how we can best prepare students to address global challenges in thoughtful and creative ways. The plenary session considered how our collective experiences in remote teaching and learning allowed us to rethink our models of instruction, community building, and curriculum. Breakout sessions explored the various ways instructors can equip students to confront ongoing world-wide challenges through active learning, collaborative groups, and engaged scholarship.

Championing Equitable Instruction and Inclusive Classrooms (October 16, 2020)

HILT’s ninth annual conference, held virtually on October 16, 2020, brought together a diverse, engaged, and engaging set of speakers and panelists to share their successes and challenges in building equitable learning opportunities, facilitating charged or difficult class discussions, and supporting students as they navigate rapidly shifting circumstances.

Peer Learning: Everyone’s a Teacher, Everyone’s a Learner (September 27, 2019)

HILT’s eighth annual conference, held on September 27, 2019, in Wasserstein Hall, explored various approaches to peer learning at Harvard and beyond: in the classroom (residential and online) and outside the classroom.

Implementing the Science of Learning to Advance the Art of Teaching (September 21, 2018)

HILT’s seventh annual conference, held September 21, 2018, in Wasserstein Hall, focused on insights from the science of learning and gave participants opportunities to apply concepts to their own contexts.

Evaluating Teaching (September 20, 2017)

HILT’s sixth annual conference explored various facets of evaluating teaching effectiveness at Harvard, and beyond, that incorporate partnerships between academic professional staff and faculty toward improving teaching and learning.

Interactivity (September 30, 2016)

HILT’s fifth annual conference showcased varied interactive instructional approaches and considerations for Harvard in an evolving education landscape.

Designing an Assessment for Learning (September 25, 2015)

HILT’s fourth annual conference was constructed to build on prior themes but reflected HILT’s strategically phased approach to its work. Specifically, a shift from “launching and catalyzing” to “deepening and documenting” the impact of innovative teaching and learning. With that goal in mind, HILT extended invitations to all tenured- and tenure-track faculty at Harvard, targeting those who are a) teaching a new course, b) overhauling an existing course, or c) new to the University.

Engagement and Distance (September 16, 2014)

HILT’s third annual conference was designed around a motivating question: How does distance affect student engagement?

Essentials (May 8, 2013)

HILT’s second annual conference was focused on the framing question: In this time of disruption and innovation for universities, what are the essentials of good teaching and learning?

Inaugural HILT Symposium (February 3, 2012)

The inaugural HILT Symposium opened a Harvard-wide conversation, engaging over 300 faculty and students in dialogue, debate, and the sharing of ideas about pedagogical innovation. The event convened members of the Harvard community and presenters from within Harvard and externally who offered interesting and informative perspectives on teaching and learning in higher education, with an emphasis on evidence-based approaches.