Attendees seated at white tables listen to a speaker presenting in a bright, modern conference room with large screens.

International Forum on Active Learning in Classrooms

Mark Your Calendar!

The next IFALC event takes place Thursday and Friday, August 6–7, 2026.

Innovations in Learning

The International Forum on Active Learning in Classrooms (IFALC) features session formats designed to provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate innovative practices and research that leverage the advantages of active learning pedagogies and learning spaces that may or may not be technology-enhanced.

The IFALC brings together a wide variety of institutions to:

  • Examine common challenges relevant to the effective implementation of active learning, and chart a path for their resolution;
  • Share successful practices that have enriched the active learning experience of students and their instructors in higher education;
  • Build and deepen networks with colleagues and industry partners in order to advance efforts across strategic and capital planning, curriculum design, and evidence-based classroom practices;
  • Use evidence to support and encourage success for a diverse cohort of learners; 

This forum is framed by the alignment between the use of evidence-based active and inclusive learning pedagogies in classrooms, and achieving the academic priorities of many universities and colleges such as increased inclusion, engagement, learning, retention, graduation rates and greater equity in outcome measures. Since these priorities are of broad interest to all working in higher education, international participation is most welcome.

Forum Location

Additional Information

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IFALC Steering Committee

  • Senenge Andzenge, Assistant Vice Provost, Director of Program Design & Innovation, Office of Distributed Learning, University of Minnesota
  • Heather Billings, Assistant Professor of Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic
  • Adolfo Carrillo Cabello, Assistant Director of Academic Technologies, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
  • Noah Holm, Associate Director, University of Minnesota Office of Classroom Management, Office of Undergraduate Education, University of Minnesota
  • Eddie Loo, Director of NXT GEN/Online Programs, Academic Affairs, University of Minnesota Crookston
  • Kelsey Metzger, Professor, Director of Faculty Development, Center for Learning Innovation, University of Minnesota Rochester
  • Liz Thomson, Center for Educational Innovation
  • Honey VanderVenter, Academic Instructional Design and Technology Manager, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota
  • Jake Wright, Senior Lecturer, Center for Learning Innovation, University of Minnesota Rochester
  • Bill Zimmerman, IT Director University of Minnesota Morris

IFALC UMR Planning Committee

  • Vanessa Carroll, Creative Lead, Marketing and Communications
  • John Hamiton, Assistant Director of IT Support, IT
  • Paul Hanstedt, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Innovation, Center for Learning Innovation
  • Anne Kowal, Event Manager, Facilities & Operations
  • Kelsey Metzger, Director of Faculty Development, Center for Learning Innovation
  • Amber Muehlenbein, Senior Content Specialist, Marketing and Communications
  • Molly Olson, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Marketing and Communications
  • Barry Standorf, Facilities & Operations Director, Facilities & Operations,
  • Molly Ubbesen, Accessibility Coordinator, Center for Learning Innovation
  • Michaela Wells, Senior Web and Digital Specialist, Marketing and Communications
  • Jake Wright, Senior Lecturer, Center for Learning Innovation