My Reflections on the Pedagogical Development Week (PDW 2024)

As a new Dean’s Fellow at Habib University, participating in the Pedagogical Development Week (PDW 2024) was a profound learning experience. The theme, “Sparking New Conversations,” resonated deeply with me as I navigated a week filled with insightful sessions and discussions. The workshops and panels I attended left a lasting impression on me, offering valuable insights that I’m eager to integrate into my teaching and advising practices.

Opening Note and R3 Talks: Broadening Perspectives

The week began with an inspiring opening note that shifted my perspective on the role of educators. The R3 Talks highlighted the diversity of effective teaching approaches across various fields emphasizing that no single method works universally.

I was particularly drawn to the presentations by the Teaching Excellence Award Winners, especially my fellow Dean’s Fellow, Nimra Farooq, whose presentation had the satirical sharpness of a Newsance episode. 

A Global Outlook: The Future of Teaching & Learning

Moving further, the afternoon panel on the Future of Teaching & Learning provided a compelling global perspective. The day ended with a Kathak performance, my first exposure to this beautiful dance form, which reinforced the importance of integrating the arts into education.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Workshop

One of the most enlightening workshops I attended was focused on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Given its emerging popularity in educational discourse, I chose this session to explore how a research-based approach can enhance educational outcomes.

I have always believed that teaching does not automatically equate to learning, and this session expanded on the idea, showing how we can treat the classroom as a lab by considering variables like student backgrounds and timing. Furthermore, our group activity effectively solidified our learning through practical experience where we developed research questions and selected appropriate methodologies.

Generative AI in Teaching: Challenges and Opportunities

Another highlight of the Pedagogical Development Week was the session on Generative AI in teaching, which introduced me to the concept of prompt engineering. 

We explored the unique challenges posed by large language models (LLMs), such as generating fake citations, complex reasoning, real-time information, and deep context understanding. Other challenges include handling nuanced language and integrating multimodal content. 

Dr. Shah Jamal led a fun activity where we crafted prompts for ChatGPT to mimic the writing styles of famous figures in linguistics. It was exciting to see AI in action, albeit a bit daunting, especially considering its limitations in complex reasoning and staying current. 

Hands-On with Digital Humanities Tools

The hands-on workshop on Digital Humanities tools was a delightful experience for me. With my background in GIS, I am familiar with visualizing data to spot trends but have never considered applying similar techniques to text analysis. Exploring tools like Voyant, Recogito, and Palladio revealed innovative ways to analyze text, map data, and visualize networks. I’m eager to integrate these methods into my research and teaching.

Panel on Student Advising: Empowering Individual Paths

Finally, the panel on student advising brought everything full circle. It reinforced the importance of advising as more than just a transactional exchange of information. Effective advising empowers students to navigate their paths and make informed decisions.

The idea that we should not try to clone ourselves in our students resonated deeply with me. It’s about providing options and guiding them through their risks and opportunities, ultimately allowing them to choose their direction.

A Week of Continuous Learning and Growth

Overall, the Pedagogical Development Week introduced me to numerous ideas and approaches that I am eager to incorporate into my work. I especially appreciated the freedom to select sessions that aligned with my interests, along with the mandatory community-building activities, which facilitated connections with fellow faculty members in a relaxed setting. I am particularly excited to experiment with SoTL and AI tools, feeling more prepared to support my students in their academic and personal growth. 

Being part of the best university in Pakistan emphasizes the importance of continuously evolving our teaching methods to uphold high standards of excellence.

Written by Zain Ul Abdin Siyal, Dean’s Fellow, Integrated Sciences and Mathematics, DSSE, Habib University.

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