Rethinking Engagement for Gen Z Using Innovative Pedagogies

As Gen Z learners continue to reshape expectations for higher education, instructors face new challenges in designing courses that foster meaningful engagement without sacrificing academic rigor. In this session, Dr. Heidi Watson-Held, Instructional Designer in Penn State's Smeal College of Business, and Emilee Spokus, Instructional Technology Specialist in Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, will explore research-informed strategies for engaging today's learners. Participants will examine approaches such as active learning, flipped classrooms, gamification, social media integration, and generative AI, and leave with practical ideas for creating more interactive, student-centered learning experiences.