UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The co-lead of EDUCAUSE's Learning Spaces Design Community Group will lead sessions on inclusive learning environments over two days next month as part of Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology's Dreamery Speaker Series.

Adam Finkelstein will present “Creating a Culture of Belonging: Inclusive Physical and Digital Spaces" from 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Dreamery on the University Park campus. He will discuss how the design of physical and digital spaces can facilitate active and inclusive learning and highlight the influence learning environments have on student engagement. He also will share ways to enhance student learning while keeping faculty and student wellness in mind.

Attendees are invited to participate in a networking session afterward.

From 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Dreamery, Finkelstein will lead a faculty workshop on “Developing Active and Inclusive Strategies to Engage Students in Physical and Digital Classroom Spaces.” The workshop will provide instructors with practical examples and scenarios to support student learning through physical or digital spaces. Finkelstein also will discuss ways to incorporate educational technology tools, including generative AI, into both strategies and assessments.

In-person attendance at the Dreamery, located on the lower level of the Shields Building, is encouraged. Light refreshments will be offered at both events. A virtual option will be available for attendees from across the commonwealth.

To register, complete the Dreamery Speaker Series with Adam Finkelstein registration form. 

As the associate director of Learning Environments (Physical and Digital) at McGill University in Montreal, Finkelstein develops university-wide initiatives to improve teaching and learning environments. He has more than 20 years of experience with innovative physical and digital learning spaces and has given numerous international keynotes, presentations and workshops.