Past CAEA Events

2013 Learning Events 

What If Every Community Were a Learning Community?

On March 12th, 2013, about 30 people joined us for this third in our series of learning events in which we explored our roles and responsibilities in co-creating learning communities in various practice settings. 

News From the Field

On February 19th, 2013, about 20 attended online and in person for this session of News From The Field. In this series presenters shared highlights of recent adult learning and mentoring conferences that they have attended.

This session featured highlights from this year's International Mentoring Association Conference, as well as the NACADA (National Association for Academic Advising) conference. After the presentations, the participants discussed the implications of recent trends and insights on various practices with adult learners.

Presenters include:

• Deborah Holton, Ph.D., Associate Professor Associate Dean, Mentoring & Part-Time Faculty

• Christine Hayda, Assistant Director of Advising

• Scott Gabbert, Academic Advisor

What If Every Community Were a Learning Community?

On February 6^th, 2013, 30 people attended our second event in our series of learning events in which we explore the question, "What If Every Community Were a Learning Community?" In this Learning Lab, which was facilitated by Amy Scatliff, Ph.D., attendees gathered in small experiential groups to do an experiment with an Illuminative Learning Method. The Illuminative Method uses positive psychology and reflective questions to help members of small informal learning networks to generate new learning topics, classes and collaborations. This event was supported, in part, by a generous gift from the Mason Parson Family Foundation.

Learning with the Brain in Mind: Part II

On January 29^th, 2013 20 people attended this session, which was a follow up to our December program in which we explored how new research in neuroscience might impact our work with adult learners. In this session Catherine Marienau, PhD. recapped six key concepts of the brain, and used them to generate specific ideas for how we can support adult learning success in our various practice settings.

News From the Field

On January 23^rd, 2013, 30 participants attended either in person or on the live stream through the ning site to hear the latest trends in adult learning, mentoring and advising from learning professionals who have recently returned from important adult learning conferences. This session focused on new insights gained from the 10th International Transformative Learning Conference. After a series of brief presentations the attendees discussed the implications for the conference insights on work with adult learners.

Presenters Include:

• Julie Benesh, Ph.D., Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• Roni Buckley, Ed.D., DePaul University, School for New Learning

• Joseph Cheh, Ph.D., DePaul University, School for New Learning

• M.J. Dix, Ed.D., DePaul University, School for New Learning

• Akilah Martin, Ph.D., DePaul University, School for New Learning

• Pamela Meyer, Ph.D., DePaul University, Center to Advance Education for Adults

2012 Learning Events

Learning Leaders Book Discussion & Networking: Continuous Learning (CAEA co-sponsored event with Chicagoland Learning Leaders)

January 20^th, 2012- Held concurrently at both the Loop and O’Hare campuses, approximately 35 people including including Adult Learning professionals, HR practitioners, and business professionals attended a facilitated discussion on two book summaries:  The High-Impact HR Organization: Top 10 Best Practices on the Road to Excellence(2011, Bersin & Associates) and Becoming the Evidence-Based Manager: Making the Science of Management Work for You (2011, Latham). ) The Loop campus event was facilitated by Carol Semrad (DePaul University) and Jim Graham (Chicagoland Learning Leader). The O’Hare campus event was facilitated by Suzie Rybicki (Rewards Network) and Angela McKeirnan (U.S. Cellular).

Mentoring Series Launch: What if Every Encounter Were a Learning Encounter?

January 26^th, 2012-A diverse group of approximately 30 adult learning, mentoring and advising professionals gathered at DePaul University's School for New Learning to reflect on the dimensions and dynamics of mentoring, advising and informal learning and to surface our burning questions. The two maps were created by graphic facilitator, Brandy Agerbeck, during the conversation reflect our initial thoughts. These thoughts will seed our future programming and collaborative inquiry on the topic. This event was supported, in part, by a generous gift from the Mason Parson Family Foundation.

 “What if Every Encounter Was a Learning Encounter?” Intentional Mentoring, Advising & Informal Learning: Fostering Cultures of Intentional Informal Learning & Mentoring

Feb 29^th, 2012 at DePaul's loop campus with over 30 people attending. In this learning experience participants not only had a chance to experience informal learning through community-based strategies, the arts and more, they got to learn with and from those who create cultures of informal learning and mentoring in diverse practice settings. Together participants discovered new insights and direction for creating intentional learning cultures across practice settings. This event was supported, in part, by a generous gift from the Mason Parson Family Foundation.

Journal Club

On April 3^rd, 2012 Catherine Marienau and Julie Benesh hosted the first Journal Club, which brought together approximately 5 practitioner-scholars who are recreational readers of peer-reviewed journals, want to be better conductors, reviewers or consumers of academic literature, or who are just plain curious about what is going on in the field. 

“What if Every Encounter Were a Learning Encounter?

A Scholar-Practitioner Conversation on Intentional Mentoring, Advising and Informal Learning

April 11th, 2012 at DePaul's loop campus with about 30 people in attendance and 10 people joining online. In this learning experience participants discussed two provocative articles from different perspectives on informal learning, advising and mentoring. We had a lively discussion about their relevance and implications for our work with adult learners. The conversation was facilitated by Catherine Marienau, Professor & Mentor, DePaul University and began with brief comments by discussants: 

• Kelli McMiller, VP of Consulting, Kaleidoscope Group Diversity
• Julie Benesh, Assistant Professor, Chicago School of Professional Psychology Lawrence Hedblom, Founder and Managing Director, Springboard Unlimited. 
• Graphic Facilitation by Brandy Agerbeck of loosetooth.com

The articles we discussed were: Cross-Cultural Mentoring as a Context for Learning by Juanita Johnson-Bailey, Ronald M. Cervero; and The Neuroscience of the Mentor-Learner Relationship by Sandra Johnson.

Reclaiming the Power of Play (at Work)

April 19^th, 2012 at DePaul's Loop campus with 40 people in attendance from across the university and other learning practice settings, the session addressed how most of us have been socialized to believe that work and play are incompatible. At this session participants learned how to harness the power of play to increase engagement, creativity, and collaboration. Participants also learned about the mindset shift that can help them transform their workplace into a playspace for innovating, learning and positive change. Attendants learned best practices from high-performance organizations that have transcended the work-play dualism and left with ideas to bring back to their colleagues. This program was co-sponosred with DePaul's Office of Workplace Learning, Performance and Organization Development.

Presenter: Pamela Meyer, School for New Learning, DePaul University and author of, From Workplace to Playspace: Innovating, Learning and Changing Through Dynamic Engagement and Permission: A Guide to Generating More Ideas, Being More of Yourself, and Having More Fun at Work.

Playing with Our Roles in Mentoring and Informal Learning “What if Every Encounter Were a Learning Encounter?”

 Intentional Mentoring, Advising & Informal Learning

On May 9^th, 2012 at DePaul's Loop campus with 20 people in attendance to participate in quite literally playing with our roles as mentors, mentees and participants in informal learning. Attendees participated and/or observed and reflected as participants engaged in various role-playing scenarios as we learn more about our roles and responsibilities as intentional participants in learning encounters in diverse practice settings.

School for New Learning 40^th Anniversary Series: What If Every Community Were a Learning Community?

On December 10th, 40 attendees gathered to discuss the Adult Brain and Learning. Dr. Kathleen Taylor and her collaborator, Dr. Annalee Lamoreaux facilitated this interactive workshop focusing on the relationship between cognitive neuroscience and adult learning practice—and implications for more effective facilitating, mentoring, teaching, and learning. In the New York Times article on “How to Train the Aging Brain,” for which she was interviewed, Dr.Taylor described how recent discoveries about the plasticity of the adult brain can be used to facilitate new understanding.   “As adults, we have these well-trodden paths in our synapses” that tend to maintain what we think we already know.  If, however, we are encouraged to “wrestle with our established brain connections,” we can develop new pathways that foster more complex understandings and capacities.   

News From the Field

On May 24th, 2012 at DePaul's Loop campus, with 25 people in attendance, presenters shared their learning from this year's International Mentoring Conference and discussed trends in international education. The presenters included: Shirley Bono, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Student Services; Deborah Holton, Ph.D,    Associate Dean, Mentoring and Part-Time Faculty; Susan McGury, Ph.D, Director Oak Forest Campus and International Programs; and Gina Sian, Director, Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK). After the presentations, participants engaged in a collaborative conversation about the implications of recent trends and insigths on various practices with adult learners. 

Journal Club

On May 29th, about 5 practitioner-scholars got together to discuss the article: Organizing and the process of Sensemaking, Weick, K.E., Sutcliffe,& Obstfeld, D (2005) for the second Journal Club session. 

The Bertram L. Scott/Elizabeth A. Fender Distinguished Lecture Series:

What If Every Encounter Were a Learning Encounter? A Conversation with Laurent A. Daloz
On June 7th, 2012 at DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus, over 100 people attended this conversation with Laurent Daloz. Attendees participated in a lively and provocative conversation with one of the leading thinkers and practitioners in adult learning, Laurent A. Parks Daloz. In addition to his many career achievements and contributions, Daloz received the Doctorate of Honorary Letters from DePaul University School for New Learning at its 2012 Commencement and delivered this year’s commencement address to our graduates. At this pre-graduation event, Daloz shared some of his latest thinking in advance of the publication of the updated edition of his seminal book, Mentor: Guiding the Journey of Adult Learners, as well as engaged us in reflection and conversation on our own roles as mentors in our various practice settings.

MAEA Graduate Showcase

On June 14th over 50 people joined us for for an evening of conversation with DePaul's graduating Master of Arts in Educating Adults students. Informal poster sessions were followed by a panel discussion and open conversation that discussed the graduating adult learning professionals practice-based inquiry.

Journal Club

On June 25th, the third Journal Club, about 5 practitioner-scholars got to together to discuss the following articles: 

Clark, C. M., & Dirkx, J. M. (2000). Moving beyond a unitary self: A reflective dialogue. In A. L. Wilson & E. Hayes (Eds.), Handbook of adult and continuing education (pp. 101-116). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Kovan, J. T., & Dirkx, J. M. (2003). "Being called awake": The role of transformative learning in the lives of environmental activists. Adult Education Quarterly, 53(2), 99-118.

Journal Club

On July 26th, the fourth Journal Club, about 5 practitioner-scholars discussed the article: Communities of Practice and Social Learning Systems, Etienne Wenger (2000). 

Journal Club

On Sept. 13th, the Journal Club offered a different venue by watching a video about recent research and thinking about the 'left and right' brain, followed by discussion with about 5 attendees about the implications for adults' learning and working. This video was a helpful backdrop for future conversations since CAEA is including 'cognitive neuroscience and adult learning' as a new theme for 2012-2013. Here is the link for the video: www.thersa.org/events/video/animate/rsa-animate-the-divided-brain

What If Every Community Were a Learning Community?

On Oct 11, 2012, CAEA kicked-off our fall series which builds on last year’s inquiry into the nature and dynamics of mentoring, advising and informal learning by expanding the reflection to explore learning in community—wherever we may find it. In this facilitated conversation, the approximately 30 attendees explored what we mean by learning community, where we find them, how we experience them and how we can be more intentional in creating them. This event was supported, in part, by a generous gift from the Mason Parson Family Foundation.

Journal Club Meeting

On October 22nd, about 5 people gathered to discuss and debate a thought-provoking video on the "brain and social learning" and its implications for our practice.

News From the Field/Dean’s Office Report

On October 22nd, 20 people attended this News From the Field session which focused on the Lumina & Gates Convening meeting- Beyond Seat-Time: New Learning (Competency) Models. Catherine Marienau reported highlights of the meeting where she had joined 50 other participants from diverse institutions and programs around the country that are doing competency-based education (from pre-launching stage to 40 years experience). The purpose of the convening was to inform funding and policy agendas and to explore ways to build and sustain momentum for competency-based higher education. Catherine then facilitated a discussion about SNL-DePaul potential involvement in the national movement. 

CAEA Learning Lab

On Oct. 25th, CAEA sponsored the first Learning Lab, which is for adult learning practitioners to experiment with new teaching, facilitation and learning strategies. This first session offered the 15 participants the opportunity to experience the impact of narrative, movement, metaphor, and role play on small - group collaboration. Participants created a visual, auditory, and movement - inspired language as their primary tool in this session. The environment created for exploring, sharing and learning during this session was highly interactive and collaborative, with participants having the opportunity to move back and forth from the role of "Listener" to that of  "Narrator", integrating their "voice" and/or perspective into that of a particular small - group creative scenario. 

Journal Club Meeting

On November 13th, 5 people gathered to continue the discussion and debate about the thought-provoking video on the "brain and social learning" and its implications for our practice.

The Bertram L. Scott/Elizabeth A. Fender Distinguished Lecture Series:

Mentoring with the Adult Brain in Mind

On December 10^th, 2012, 30 participants attended this session where Dr. Taylor and her collaborator, Dr. Annalee Lamoreaux facilitated this interactive workshop focusing on the relationship between cognitive neuroscience and adult learning practice—and implications for more effective facilitating, mentoring, teaching, and learning. In the New York Times article on “How to Train the Aging Brain,” for which she was interviewed, Dr. Kathleen Taylor described how recent discoveries about the plasticity of the adult brain can be used to facilitate new understanding.   “As adults, we have these well-trodden paths in our synapses” that tend to maintain what we think we already know.  If, however, we are encouraged to “wrestle with our established brain connections,” we can develop new pathways that foster more complex understandings and capacities

2011 Learning Events

News from the Field 

December 1^st, 2011-Approximately 15 higher education professionals joined the on-ground conversation about emerging trends in adult education discussed at the International Transformative Learning Conference held in Greece in May 2011, the fall American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) held in November 2011, and Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) conference also held November 2011. Facilitators included Pamela Meyer, Ph.D. (DePaul University), Gwen Weaver (DePaul University), Catherine Marienau, Ph.D. (DePaul University) and Virginia Heaven, Ph.D. (Columbia College). The conversation also included online participation from members viewing the live U-stream broadcast.

Scholar-Practitioner Series: Theory, Practice, Theory

November 4^th, 2011 - Approximately 20 people including Adult Learning professionals,  HR practitioners, and Business professionals attended this discussion facilitated by Regina Spellers Sims, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, DePaul University; Julie Benesh, Ph.D. Participants were asked to read the article, Practitioner-Faculty Dialectic: Balancing Professional Identities in Adult Education (Reybold, 2008). This event was live-streamed and included online audience participation via a chat window.

The below questions provided a framework for the conversation:

•How so we balance professional identities in our various practice settings?

•How do our practice settings influence our role with adult learners?

•What impact do emerging trends and theories have on our role?

News from the Field

October 12^th, 2011 -  Presenters shared highlights and best practices from this year's Chicagoland Learning Leaders Conference and the International Transformative Learning Conference. Presenters included, Carol Taylor, Manager, Instruction Programs and Development, Chicago Transit Authority; Regina Spellers Sims, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, DePaul University; Julie Benesh, Ph.D. Director of Organizational Development, Rush University Medical Center; and Pamela Meyer, Ph.D., Director, Center to Advance Education for Adults. This event was live-streamed and included online audience participation via a chat window.

Leaders Book Discussion & Networking: Innovation and Passion (CAEA co-sponsored event with Chicagoland Learning Leaders)

September 13^th, 2011 - Held concurrently at both the DePaul Loop and O'Hare campuses, approximately 20 people including Adult Learning professionals, HR practitioners, and business professionals attended a facilitated discussion on two book summaries: The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs, Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success (2011, Gallo) and The Pursuit of Wow! Every person's Guide to Topsy-Turvy Times (1994, Peters). Loop facilitators were Gillian Steele (DePaul University), Dana Beird (CNA Insurance), and Robyn Clark (BPI Group). O'Hare facilitators were Dan Heck (Chicagoland Learning Leader) and Julie Benesh (Rush University Medical Center).

CAEA Sponsored Event – Group Facilitation Symposium, “Catalysts for Change”

June 10^th, 2011 – CAEA Director, Pamela Meyer presented a workshop titled, “From Workplace to Playspace: Facilitating the Mindset Shift for Innovation and High Engagement” at this event held in the DePaul Center for facilitators, team leaders, consultants, leaders, and project managers. CAEA also exhibited informational materials at this event.

Learning Leaders Book Discussion & Networking: Value Driven Leadership (CAEA co-sponsored event with Chicagoland Learning Leaders)
June 3^rd, 2011– Held concurrently at both the Loop and O’Hare campuses, approximately 20 people including Adult Learning professionals, HR practitioners, and business professionals attended a facilitated discussion on two book summaries: The Truth about Leadership: The No-fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know (2010, Kouzes & Posner) and Essentials of Business Ethics: Creating an Organization of High Integrity and Superior Performance (Collins, 2009) The event was facilitated by Mary McGuiness (DePaul University), Matthew Woolsey (Diamond Consultants), and Don Sandel (Executive Learning Exchange).

Continuing the Conversation on Diversity & Inclusion in a Global World

May 4^th, 2011 – Facilitated follow up conversation to the Future of Diversity and Inclusion in a Global World Conference. Approximately 15 people attended including Adult Learning professionals, HR practitioners, and members of the corporate sector at the School for New Learning. Light dinner was served and participants focused on topics they found most meaningful at the conference, including different approaches to best facilitate workplace learning and diversity trainings in the workplace.

The Future of Diversity and Inclusion in a Global World Conference and Pre-Conference Dinner

April 19th, 2011 – Welcome and pre-conference dinner held at the Union League Club. Speakers, facilitators, the consul general panel, and CAEA advisory board members are in attendance.

April 20th, 2011 – Supported by a generous gift from the Mason Parson Family Foundation, The Future of Diversity and Inclusion in a Global World Conference was held at the DePaul Center Conference Space. Approximately 150 members from the non-profit, corporate, and higher education sectors attended the full day conference which included

- Keynote Speaker Dr. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., CEO & President of Roosevelt Thomas Consulting and Training and Founder/ Trustee Emeritus of American Institute for Managing Diversity

- Andres Tapia, President of Diversity Best Practices - Laura Hertzog, Director of EEO/ Diversity & Inclusion Programs, Cornell

- Pam McElvance, CEO, P & L Group and Publisher of Diversity MBA Magazine and Minority Executive Journal Online

 - General Consul of India Mrs. Mukta D. Tomar, General Consul of France Mr. Graham Paul, General Consul of El Salvador Ms. Patricia Maza Pittsford

The conference also offered HRCI Accreditation for HR Practitioners. 

DePaul Innovation Network at Threadless Headquarters (CAEA partner event with DePaul’s Center for Innovation and Creativity)

March 4^th, 2011 – Tour and panel discussion at Threadless, one of Chicago’s most innovative businesses, with CAEA Director and SNL faculty Pamela Meyer, and several Threadless team members attended by more than 80 people. Discussion centered around understanding high engagement and learning strategies that sustain innovation and profitability.

Learning Leaders Book Discussion & Networking: Making Leadership Development Stick - 2020 Workplace (CAEA co-sponsored event with Chicagoland Learning Leaders)

March 4^th, 2011 – Book discussion at the Loop and O’Hare campuses to discover successful strategies for making leadership development stick; as our talent becomes more diverse, multi-generational, and literate in social media.

Navigating the Power Shift: How Technology is Reshaping the Worlds of Education, Nonprofits, and Business

February 23^rd, 2011 –SYNC Technology Center in Chicago's west loop was the site of this lively discussion about navigating the technology-driven power shift. Approximately 40 attended from business, nonprofit and education. Explored how the new paradigm is impacting the way we get information and how we learn, act, and re-act. An expert panel of learning and technology professionals across sectors (Ramon DeLeon, Managing Partner, Domino Pizza; Eva Penar, Chicago Community Trust; and Beth Rubin, DePaul University School for New Learning, with moderator Tom Barr, Knowledge Manager, Enablon) kicked things off with a variety of perspectives. The event was live-streamed over the internet with a robust online chat and twitter conversation.

Build Better Learning with Improv (CAEA partner event with CCASTD)

 February 17^th, 2011 – In person with Matt Elwell, CPLP, President and CEO of ComedySportz Theatre, introduced participants to the learning value of improv comedy. While many know that Chicago is famous for its improv scene, the business impact of “applied improvisation” is still a best-kept secret.

2010 Learning Events

Starting the Conversation on Diversity & Inclusion in a Global World

November 2^nd, 2010 – An in person pre-event dinner to the Conference. This event provided an opportunity for thought leaders from a variety of organizations who are interested in the future of diversity and inclusion in a global context to meet each other and learn from each other using an Open Space framework, which enabled many perspectives to be heard on several burning issues identified by the group. Themes generated during this conversation provided the foundation and direction for the April conference. A Graphic Facilitator, Brandy Agerbeck, recorded the insights in a large-scale format. Supported, in part, by a generous gift from the Mason Parson Family Foundation.

Learning Leaders Book Discussion & Networking: Developing Leaders Using Social Media (CAEA co-sponsored event with Chicagoland Learning Leaders)

On September 13^th, 2010 an in person panel book discussion took place at the Loop campus to explore how Chicagoland organizations leverage social media for achieving business results. Panelists were: Carol Taylor, Manager of Training for Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Kelli McMiller, Director of Diversity & Inclusion for Sara Lee North America.

Making the Business Case for Playspace at Work with Chicagoland Chapter of American Society for Training & Development

On June 10^th, 2010, an in person book discussion with CAEA Director and SNL faculty member Pamela Meyer took place at the Loop and O’Hare campuses. The focus of the conversation was how to create playspace in organizations using a variety of strategies including those inspired by improvisation and other collaborative arts and how to consistently create space for dynamic engagement to make innovating, learning, and changing ongoing organizational processes, rather than rare events.

2009 Learning Events

Eight Steps to Creating Flow in a Virtual Learning Environment!

Thursday, October 22^nd, 2009 over 30 registrants explored the internet and enjoyed a hands-on session with Presenter Dennis Glenn (MFA. President & CEO, Discourse, IIc; Director of Social Media for CCASTD -Chicagoland Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development). Dennis, a regular presenter at ASTD national conferences and former assistant dean for distributed education at Northwestern University led participants through an interactive session, to explore web-based tools that can enhance 'flow' in a virtual learning environment. What is 'flow'? Borrowing from Csikszentmihalyi's (1990) concept of flow, optimal learning experiences occur when people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. With adult learners in virtual environments, tools are used that insure learners are engaged in the process and feel a sense of well-being. The goal is to make sure learners receive constructive feedback that fosters their motivation and enjoyment of the learning process. Dennis Glenn presented 8 steps of a flow-activity that maximizes virtual learning with interactive tools. Participants received a set of on-line tools (free and practical) for their use. DePaulCAEA102309.pdf