On Episode 573 of Teaching in Higher Ed, I welcome back Tolu Noah, Instructional Learning Spaces Coordinator at California State University Long Beach and award-winning educator, to discuss how to facilitate enriching learning experiences in higher education. Drawing on her extensive background in both K-12 and higher ed—plus her recent book Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality—Tolu shares practical strategies for crafting engaging professional learning spaces through intentional design, adaptive planning, and thoughtful use of digital tools.

In our conversation, we explore how Tolu’s approach is influenced by Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, including making purpose central to workshop design, starting sessions with meaningful engagement instead of logistics, and ending with reflection and action planning. Tolu and I discuss the balance between detailed planning and necessary flexibility as facilitators—emphasizing that strong preparation can actually help us adapt in the moment. We also delve into timing strategies, the importance of separating handouts from slide content, and creative uses of technology such as Padlet and SessionLab for dynamic interaction.

Resources from the episode:

• Designing and Facilitating Workshops with Intentionality: A Guide to Crafting Engaging Professional Learning Experiences in Higher Education, by Tolulope Noah
• Yoruba
• The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker
• Richard E. Mayer
• Padlet Breakout Rooms
• Padlet Sandbox
• Bryan Mathers Permission Slip
• Headliner App
• Butter Scenes
• SessionLab
• Facilitating On Purpose

Episode topics:

• Designing Learning Experiences with Purpose
• Lessons from Priya Parker’s “The Art of Gathering”
• Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Facilitation
• Adapting Workshop Design for Modality and Group Size
• Macro Workshop Planning for Alignment and Impact
• Effective Time Management Strategies for Facilitators
• Navigating Apologies, Transparency, and Real-Time Adjustments
• Rethinking Slides vs. Handouts in Presentations
• Enhancing Engagement with Technology Tools
• Approaches to Ending Workshops and Handling Q&As

Discussion questions:

1. Intentionality in Planning: Tolu Noah emphasizes starting with a clear purpose or goal when designing learning experiences. How do you currently determine the purpose of your workshops or classes, and what might you change after listening to this episode?
2. Balancing Structure and Flexibility: The episode discusses how different facilitators prefer varying levels of structure. How do you find the right balance between having a detailed plan and staying responsive to participants’ needs during a session?
3. Drawing Inspiration: Tolu cites Priya Parker’s work, especially the principle “make purpose your bouncer.” How might you apply this idea to filter and focus what you include (and exclude) in your own sessions?
4. Modality and Group Size: Tolu talks about how workshop modality (in-person vs. virtual) and group size affect planning and interaction. What strategies have worked for you in adapting your facilitation to different modalities and group sizes?
5. Slides vs. Handouts: Tolu distinguishes between using slides for key points versus handouts for detailed information. How do you currently use these materials, and what might you want to adjust for better accessibility and engagement?
6. Reflection and Action Planning: Both guests emphasize ending workshops with time for participants to reflect and create action plans. How do you currently close your sessions, and what ideas from the episode could help make those endings more meaningful?

Related Episode

In Episode 359 with learning designer Beth Cougler Blom, we explore strategies for crafting learner-centered experiences—from establishing clear outcomes to balancing structure with flexibility. Beth emphasizes the “sweet spot between authenticity and professionalism” and offers practical tips drawn from her book Design to Engage. If you’re seeking effective, evidence-informed design ideas to boost engagement—whether face‑to‑face or online—this episode has you covered.

Quotable Words

Beth Cougler Blom suggests on Episode 359:

Flexibility within structure is an art.

Recommended

My colleague and I had fun the other day opening up a package of goodness: Copies of James Lang’s new book, Write Like You Teach: Taking Your Classroom Skills to a Bigger Audience. Watch our unboxing video on YouTube:

Next Week’s Episode

On the upcoming episode of Teaching in Higher Ed, Alex Edmans shares about his book: May Contain Lies: How stories, statistics and studies exploit our biases — and what we can do about it.

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My book: The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide, provides approaches to help you turn your intentions into action. I also write an advice column for EdSurge: Toward Better Teaching: Office Hours With Bonni Stachowiak

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Affiliate income disclosure: Books that are recommended on the podcast link to the Teaching in Higher Ed bookstore on Bookshop.org. All affiliate income gets donated to the LibroMobile Arts Cooperative (LMAC), established in 2016 by Sara Rafael Garcia.”

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