Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium

The authors present findings of a completed empirical study to session participants to disseminate new knowledge and to hold scholarly discussions. Presenting authors must be conversant with the study to discuss pertinent literature, study findings, and respond to participants’ questions. Presentations will be 15-20 minutes in length, followed by a brief discussion.

Abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Clarity of research statement/question
• Strength of background and significance of the study
• Strength of the study design and methods
• Relevance and significance of findings
• Soundness of conclusions
• Quality and clarity of writing

Abstracts should contain the following information (500-word limit):

• Research Statement/Research Question(s)
• Background and significance of the study
• Study Design (Methodology, Methods)
• Findings
• Conclusions (Discussion, Limitations, Future Studies, Conclusion)
• References

Poster authors present data, either for works-in-progress or completed, and interact with session participants for a brief presentation and discussions during a poster session. Presenting authors must be available during the Poster session and conversant with the study to discuss pertinent literature, study findings, and respond to participants’ questions. 

Abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Originality of the idea and innovative concept
• Clarity of research statement/question
• Strength of background and significance of the study
• Strength of the study design and methods
• Relevance and significance of findings
• Soundness of conclusions
• Quality and clarity of writing and visualization

Abstracts should contain the following information (500-word limit):

• Research Statement/Research Question(s)
• Background and significance of the study
• Study Design (Methodology, Methods)
• Findings
• Conclusions (Discussion, Limitations, Future Studies, Conclusion)
• References
   

Small group discussions (30-60 minutes) will invite session participants to in-depth discussions of various medical education topics, which include but are not limited to, the UME/GME curriculum, evaluation, professional development, leadership, excellence, and wellness. To promote discussions involving multiple perspectives of medical education, facilitating authors from different departments and diverse backgrounds is encouraged. Abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Interest in the medical education community
• Author(s)’ experience and expertise with the topic
• Instructional methods within the proposal that clearly indicate an interactive session
• Quality and clarity of the description

Abstracts should contain the following information (500-word limit):

• Title
• Speakers
• Rationale: Why is the topic important and relevant to medical education?
• Objectives or aim: What participants will be able to do as a result of the session or practice during the session?
• Session format: Provide a background of topics, and questions, a clear indication of the exchange of ideas/opinions, and an active discussion format.
• Time allocated for the different activities.
• Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker.
   

Professional Development Workshops (30-60 minutes) will help session participants acquire new knowledge and skills around the symposium topics. Workshop facilitators must use a series of hands-on activities and provide helpful guides to make their sessions highly interactive and participative. Abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Interest potential in the medical education community
• Soundness of the rationale and learning objectives
• Author(s)’ experience and knowledge of the topic
• Clarity of session format (It should be clear about who’s doing what for how long)

Abstracts should contain the following information (500-word limit):

• Title
• Facilitators
• Rationale: Why is the topic important and relevant to medical education?
• Learning objectives: What participants will be able to do as a result of the session or practice during the session? 
• Session format: Provide a background of topics, how participants will gain practical skills and knowledge in a specific area by engaging in collaborative learning experiences, list the activities; hands-on activities, and/or skill-building exercises, and wrap up.
• Clear time allocation for different activities 
• Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker.
   

“Ignite” is a free-style short communication session where authors share new and provocative ideas for medical education innovation (5-10 minutes). The author has the full discretion of how she or he presents the new ideas during the session (e.g., presentation format/tools or participant engagement plan). Anyone who has passion and ideas to advance medical education at SIU SOM is invited to be an author! No evidence is required, just your thoughts! Potential topics include, but are not limited to, curricular development, program descriptions, new approaches, and quality improvements. Abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Relevance of the idea
• Significance of the idea
• Relevance of outcomes
• Awareness of limitations
• Clarity of writing

Abstracts should contain the following information (500-word limit):

• A Problem
• Innovation Idea(s)
• Potential Impact of the idea
• About the Author

We invite you to reflect on and express your inspiration and aspiration about medicine and medical education. "Creative Arts" is a relatively new submission category of the Annual T&L Symposium prepared for you to bring your whole self to the SIU SOM community. Authors will have a space and time to display or perform their creative artworks during the Symposium day. Similar to the Ignite format, authors have complete discretion over how they present the creative artwork during a session (e.g., paintings, music, essays, photography, video, poetry, comics, posters, performances of all kinds, etc.). 

Also, authors and artists could submit artwork to inspire and promote specific symposium events, as seen on the cover of journals (e.g., an inspiring paint for symposium sessions, such as Story Slam, Research Presentations, Educator Awards, Small Group Discussions, Ignite, etc.). Such artwork will be exhibited or presented at the beginning of each symposium event.

Abstracts will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Relevance of the concept of the artwork
• Potential to inspire the SIU SOM community with medicine and medical education

Abstracts should contain the following information (500-word limit):

• A creative artwork (in electronic format)
• Title of art
• A brief overview of the concept of the artwork
• Specifics of installation or display
• About the Author