Formerly known as the Spring Conference on Teaching and Learning, MSU Spring TALKS — Teaching and Learning Knowledge Sharing— is an event focused on collaboration, conversation, and community building among MSU’s educator community.
MSU has hosted an internal conference on teaching and learning since 1995 (originally referred to as an “institute” and shifting to “conference” around 2011). Collaborating partners and the event name have evolved throughout the years, but the spirit has remained the same— a dedicated space for MSU educators to share ideas, connect with each other, and grow in their educator practice. In 2022, the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation took complete responsibility for organizing the conference.
Throughout its history, this conference has been hosted the week after Spring Commencement for varying lengths of time and modalities. In 2020, the year of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitated a completely virtual conference. Since then, the conference has offered a hybrid experience, with one day completely virtual and another in person (on MSU’s campus). The inclusive definition of educator adopted by MSU and the timing of the conference have made a virtual component critical to alignment and access. Most recently in 2025, the two days directly following the Tuesday in which educators are required to submit final grades. Thanks to generous support from the Office of the Provost, CTLI has historically hosted Spring TALKS without any cost to presenters or participants.
MSU Spring TALKS offers a variety of session format types to help educators share their knowledge and experience. These evolve from year to year but always include an element of "sharing," such as a short presentation, a longer format workshop aimed at application and engagement, moderated discussions, and posters.
Caring members of our community have brought to our attention that the acronym for the conference—TALKS, Teaching and Learning Knowledge Sharing—may unintentionally center spoken communication in ways that create exclusive connotations to non-speaking individuals or those who communicate differently. We are grateful for this feedback and take it seriously.
At its core, “Knowledge Sharing” is not limited to speaking—it encompasses many forms of communication, including writing, visual storytelling, gestures, and other expressive modes. As we continue to host Teaching and Learning Knowledge Sharing, we are committed to honoring that diversity and ensuring that all participants feel welcomed and supported. As part of that commitment, this conference:
We welcome continued dialogue as we strive to make Teaching and Learning Knowledge Sharing a space where all forms of expression and connection are valued.