Student engagement continues to be a top focus for educators as the Fall term gets underway. The good news is that AI offers new opportunities to transform our courses into models of evidence-based teaching, enhancing student engagement and success.
In these sessions, we’ll explore how we can use intentional course design to build connection and excitement—and get students invested in learning. Hear perspectives from Texas State University faculty on what’s working, and what isn’t. Plus, roll up your sleeves and learn how to use Top Hat’s most impactful student engagement features, including Ace, our AI-powered teaching and learning assistant.
Feel free to attend individual sessions or stay for the entire program. Breakfast and lunch are on us!
Agenda Overview
Join Texas State IT Assistance Center (ITAC) & Top Hat for a series of high-impact presentations designed to help you improve student connection, engagement, and success in your course!
8:30 - 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 - 9:45 am: Welcome Keynote: Intentional Course Design in the Age of AI
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Dr. Bradley Cohen, Chief Academic Officer, Top Hat
Great courses are built upon moments of breakthrough insights, immersion, and flow reflective of deep engagement. In this session, we’ll explore the fundamentals of intentional design and how you can use AI to provide clarity of purpose, foster belonging, and emphasize student-centered assessment in your course.
9:50 - 11:20 am: Faculty Panel: Countering Student Engagement in the Classroom
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Dr. Manish Kumar, Department of Biology
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Dr. Kavita Kakirde, Department of Biology
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Dr. Shiva Rastogi, Chemistry & Biochemistry
What can we do to get students to lean into the learning experience? In this discussion, we’ll share the perspective of Texas State faculty. What’s working? What isn’t? And how are go-to strategies like tailoring course content and emphasizing in-class activities helping create a more lively, interactive environment?
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Lunch + Exploring AI Functionality in Top Hat
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Shashank Santosh, Top Hat
Enjoy a complimentary lunch as you learn about Ace, Top Hat's AI-powered assistant. Learn how Ace can help you incorporate low-stakes assessment into your lectures, readings, and assignments, so you can save time on course prep. Then, see how Ace invites students to engage more deeply with course content.
12:35 - 1:15 pm: Workshop: Extending Engagement Outside of Class
Join us for an interactive workshop exploring how to extend engagement beyond the classroom. Get to know how Top Hat’s content customization tool—Top Hat Pages—empowers you to create your own interactive course materials, or adapt OER or nationally-available titles to support your teaching goals.
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