2025 Festival of Learning: Moving Forward Together
What can we do at MIT to prepare our students to solve the challenges of their time? Every learner at MIT can impact the future of humankind and the planet—calling on us to embrace new approaches to an MIT education. In this video, panelists—faculty, instructors, and, importantly, recent students—will discuss examples of their collaboration with others to transform their MIT subjects. Sean Robinson, Lecturer in Physics & Associate Director of the Helena Foundation Junior Laboratory Cory Romanov, MIT graduate ‘24, & Technical Instructor for Physics Department Paola Rebusco, Senior Lecturer in Physics & Experimental Study Group Maria Khotimsky, Senior Lecturer in Russian McKenzie Dinesen, Senior Undergraduate in Aerospace Engineering and Russian and Eurasian Studies Moderator: Aaron Kessler, Associate Director of Learning Sciences and Teaching
More from Canvas Innovation Fund
2:49Sean Robinson - 8.13 Junior Physics Lab
Sean Robinson describes why 8.13 improved their course site to make it easier on students to navigate and access lab materials, and better understand the overall semester structure. Past and current students share the positive impact of 8.13 and related Canvas improvements. Sean Robinson is a Lecturer in Physics & Associate Director of the Helena Foundation Junior Laboratory at MIT.
2:57Devin Caughey - 17.20 Intro to the American Political Process
Devin Caughey and undergraduate student Sandra Youssef share improvements made to the 17.20 course structure to give students quicker access to essential materials and better engage students in challenging readings. Students collaboratively share their thoughts on assigned readings via Perusall and in class discussions. Devin Caughey is Class of 1949 Professor of Political Science and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Political Science at MIT.
44:07xTalk, April 3, 2026, Elevate Your Instructional Impact: Canvas Innovation Fund Stories
Jungwoo Chun and Andreas Karatsolis share how they’ve collaborated with Open Learning Residential Education to make instructional improvements, via the MIT Canvas Innovation Fund. Jungwoo Chun is a Lecturer in Climate, Sustainability, and Negotiation in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Andreas Karatsolis is a Senior Lecturer and the Director of Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication in Comparative Media Studies/Writing.
47:25xTalk, March 20, 2025, Hack Yourself: An Interdisciplinary Course Using Canvas
Ana Bell shares the design of Hack Yourself: Data-driven Wellbeing and Learning and the particular Canvas structures that facilitate engagement across disciplines. Ana Bell is a Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at MIT, and a MITx Digital Learning Scientist.
54:49xTalk, December 5, 2025, Creating Assessments that Engage Students and Improve Learning
Laura Frawley, Jonathan Bloom, and Andreas Karatsolis share how to leverage assessment in ways that better engage students while also boosting student learning outcomes. Laura Frawley is a Senior Lecturer in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Jonathan Bloom is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and the Experimental Study Group. Andreas Karatsolis is a Senior Lecturer and the Director of Writing, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication in Comparative Media Studies/Writing.
