Speaker(s): 

Rob Cooney, MD, Staff Member, Geisinger - has nothing to disclose.

Kristi Shirk, BA, Staff Member, Geisinger - has nothing to disclose.

Kevin Scott, MD, Staff Member, Geisinger - has nothing to disclose.

Kiran Pandit, MD, MPH, MHPE, Staff Member, Geisinger - has nothing to disclose.

Learning Objectives: 

At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to: 

  • Describe the key drivers of change in health professions education over the last century.
  • Discuss the importance of ongoing development as educators.
  • Choose a developmental objective for the year.
  • Distinguish learning theories, theoretical frameworks, and conceptual frameworks.
  • Explain selected learning theories and perspectives in plain language.
  • Apply one or two learning theory lenses to improve a teaching, assessment, or learning environment activity.
  • Plan a feasible change to their educational practice and identify observable evidence to evaluate its effect on learning.
  • Define curriculum development, constructive alignment, and backward design.
  • Describe at least one model or framework for curriculum development in health professions education.
  • Apply a curriculum model/framework to their local context as a foundational step for curricular innovation.
  • Identify at least one aspect of the curriculum development process for which AI could function as a support tool.

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships with/without Commercial Interests:

The Planning Committee consisting of Nicole Woll, PhD, MEd, Robert Cooney, MD, MSMedED, Kristi Shirk, BA, Daniel Longyhore, PharmD, Rebecca Stoudt, DNP, PhD, CRNA, Karen Tillotson, PA-C, and Annie Seif, BS have no identified disclosures. 

CE Committee Member/Content Reviewers have nothing to disclose. 

Any/All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated. 

Content Disclosure: 

This presentation/content is HIPAA compliant. 

Commercial Support for this Session

None

 

Session Description:

This opening session is designed to welcome participants into the program and establish a strong foundation for their work as medical educators. Participants will begin by connecting with their cohort and building a shared learning community. The session will then introduce key learning theories, including behaviorism, cognitivism, humanism, and constructivism, with a focus on how these theories can be applied in practical teaching and curriculum design. The afternoon session will focus on curriculum development in medical education, including Kern’s six step model, backward design, ADDIE, and Fink’s framework. Together, these topics will help participants connect educational theory to practice and begin developing thoughtful, learner-centered educational experiences.
 

Session Schedule and Topics:

8:30 am - 9:30 am
Welcome and Introduction to the Course
Rob Cooney, MD
9:30 am - 9:45 am
Break
 
9:45 am - 11:00 am
Learning Theory Made Practical: Why We Teach the Way We Do
Kevin Scott, MD
11 am - 11:15 am
Break
 
11:15 am - 1:00 pm
Lunch and Get to Know You More
Kristi Shirk
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Designing Learning with Intention: Curriculum Development Workshop
Kiran Pandit, MD

 

Session date: 
09/11/2026 - 8:30am to 4:30pm EDT
Location: 
Geisinger Medical Center
100 North Academy Avenue
Henry Hood Center
Danville, PA 17822
United States
See map: Google Maps
Add to calendar: 
  • 7.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 7.50 ANCC
  • 7.50 Participation Credit
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