CTL Workshops
Smart Access: Enhancing Teaching Practice with AI and Notebook LM
Wednesday, Sept. 10
12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
AI tools are reshaping how instructors design and deliver accessible, innovative learning experiences. This interactive workshop introduces Google’s Notebook LM—an AI-powered tool that helps learners organize, summarize, and engage with course materials. Participants will explore how Notebook LM can support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by reducing cognitive load, offering multiple means of engagement, and fostering learner variability. Participants will engage in practical strategies to create materials that support accessibility goals and student success. No prior experience with AI tools is required.
Learning outcomes:
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Enhance accessible learning through AI-driven summarization and content organization
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Convert existing content to multimodal formats using Notebook LM as an Assistive Technology
Unlock learning potential: Enhancing Accessibility and Learning with Assistive Technologies and Alternate Formats
Wednesday, Sep. 17
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
You can elevate your teaching by creating more inclusive learning environments for your students. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge to leverage Assistive Technologies (ATs) as dynamic pedagogical tools for enabling communication of your course materials through multiple modes (written, spoken, visuals, audio, etc). You'll learn to recommend ATs to students, enhancing their reception of content and reading materials.
The Assistive Technologist from the Accessibility & Accommodations office will demonstrate the two text-to-speech software programs offered to all at the 海角社区, Kurzweil and Read&Write. The team lead of Assistive Technology and Alternate Format will then show you how document compatibility with ATs can be assessed and resolved with format conversion.
Join us to make your courses more accessible and effective for every student.
Learning outcomes:
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Explore the features of the Kurzweil and Read&Write applications, including ways to recommend them to students
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Identify the measures for assessing the accessibility of a digital document and how to resolve inaccessibility issues
Adapting your assignments in the age of AI
Monday, Sep. 22
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
This interactive workshop provides actionable strategies to adapt your assignments for an AI-informed world while ensuring your assignments are robust, relevant, and reflective of student learning in your course.
We'll dive into the impact of AI on assessment design and equip you with methods to cultivate critical thinking and genuine engagement through AI-informed assignment practices.
Before you abandon your assignments in response to AI, invest an hour in this workshop! Let's adapt in the age of AI.
Learning outcomes:
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Define how generative AI tools are commonly reshaping student engagement and traditional assessment approaches
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Craft or redesign an assignment that proactively addresses AI, either by integrating AI awareness or mitigating its misuse, all while preserving your intended learning outcomes
Teaching That Transforms: Getting Started with Experiential Learning
Friday, Sep. 26
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
Ever wondered how to incorporate experiential learning into your course? Join us for a 90 minute workshop introducing instructors to the principles of experiential learning (EL). Find out about practical tools and examples for integrating EL into diverse courses within a research intensive university, including how to:
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differentiate EL from active learning
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identify resources and supports for EL
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explore ways to adapt course assignments and integrate reflective practice
Learning outcomes:
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Describe how experiential learning (EL) can enhance student engagement by connecting theory to practice
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Identify practical strategies to incorporate EL activities into their course
- Explore resources that support the development, implementation, and assessment of EL
Collecting Midterm Feedback from your students & Making Timely Changes
Thursday, Oct. 02
11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
While end-of-semester SPOT surveys are valuable for future course planning, midterm feedback provides a crucial opportunity to:
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Identify concerns early: Catch misunderstandings or challenges before they derail student progress.
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Boost student morale and responsibility: Show your students their voices matter and actively involve them in shaping their learning experience.
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Increase engagement: When students see their feedback leads to tangible changes, they become more invested in the course.
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Refine your teaching in real-time: Make small, impactful adjustments that can significantly improve the rest of the term for everyone.
Walk away from this workshop with a clear plan to turn mid-point feedback into responsive changes to your teaching and learning context.
Learning outcomes:
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Identify at least two strategies for enhancing student engagement in giving feedback
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Outline a process for reviewing student midterm feedback to consider potential course adjustments
Active Learning Strategies for Engaging Large In-Person Classes
Thursday, Oct. 09
10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
In-Person; Room B-12 Cameron Library
If you’re feeling the challenge of engaging students in your large classes or teaching a large class for the first time, CTL can help. This in-person workshop provides you with practical, active learning strategies to boost interaction in any large in-person classroom. You'll actively participate in these strategies and gain immediately actionable strategies, such as:
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Collaborative Voting: Engage students, by using technology, and have them vote on examples to unpack, assignment topics, questions to prioritize, or approaches to case scenarios.
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Storytelling for Connection: Learn to weave brief personal stories or student anecdotes into your content delivery to build community and enhance understanding.
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Active Reflection & Peer Teaching: Use structured content organization, small group discussions and Think Pair Share activities to engage students throughout lectures.
Learning outcomes:
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Strategize about the challenges of implementing active learning in large classrooms
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Share active learning strategies used as part of their teaching practice
Teaching That Transforms: Getting Started with Experiential Learning
Wednesday, Oct. 22
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
In-Person; Room B-12 Cameron Library
Ever wondered how to incorporate experiential learning into your course? Join us for a 90 minute in-person workshop introducing instructors to the principles of experiential learning (EL). Find out about practical tools and examples for integrating EL into diverse courses within a research intensive university, including how to:
-
differentiate EL from active learning
-
identify resources and supports for EL
-
explore ways to adapt course assignments and integrate reflective practice
Learning outcomes:
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Describe how experiential learning (EL) can enhance student engagement by connecting theory to practice
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Identify practical strategies to incorporate EL activities into their course
- Explore resources that support the development, implementation, and assessment of EL
Designing for all: An Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Tuesday, Nov. 04
11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
Join us for a guided exploration of the Universal Design for Learning 3.0 framework, including its three guiding principles—engagement, representation, and action/expression. By applying these UDL principles within your teaching context, you can improve your:
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response to learner variability of expectations, needs, and preferences
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ability to streamline administrative processes
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facilitation of student learning and achievement of their learning goals
Through case studies, and collaborative discussions, we will address the most common (and growing) barriers in higher education and explore how, as instructors, they can be proactively addressed through course design and instructional practice.
Learning outcomes:
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Identify strategies for proactively integrating the needs and preferences of diverse through course design and instructional practice
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Share ideas and experiences with other instructors about barriers to learning in their courses.
Talking to your students about Student Perspectives on Teaching (SPOT)
Thursday, Nov. 20
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
In-Person; Room B-12 Cameron Library
* SPOT survey collection typically begins 10 days before the end of term
End-of-semester SPOT surveys are crucial for reflecting on and evaluating our teaching, but their effectiveness depends on strong student participation and meaningful input. If you've found yourself struggling with low response rates or unhelpful feedback, this in-person session will provide an excellent opportunity to:
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Demonstrate value: Show students that their input is valued and directly contributes to a better learning environment.
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Boost participation: Discover strategies to increase response rates for your SPOT surveys.
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Elevate student voice: Empower your students to provide the specific, high-quality feedback you need.
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Refine your practice: Turn student insights into actionable plans for improving your courses and teaching.
Join us to develop a concrete plan to transform your SPOT surveys into a powerful tool for reflective teaching.
Learning outcomes:
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Explain the value of end-of-semester SPOT surveys for both instructors and students.
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Identify at least two strategies for increasing student response rates on SPOT surveys.
- Outline key messages to help students provide more specific and actionable feedback.
Talking to your students about Student Perspectives on Teaching (SPOT)
Monday, Nov. 24
1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
*SPOT survey collection typically begins 10 days before the end of term
End-of-semester SPOT surveys are crucial for reflecting on and evaluating our teaching, but their effectiveness depends on strong student participation and meaningful input. If you've found yourself struggling with low response rates or unhelpful feedback, this session will provide an excellent opportunity to:
-
Demonstrate value: Show students that their input is valued and directly contributes to a better learning environment.
-
Boost participation: Discover strategies to increase response rates for your SPOT surveys.
-
Elevate student voice: Empower your students to provide the specific, high-quality feedback you need.
-
Refine your practice: Turn student insights into actionable plans for improving your courses and teaching.
Join us to develop a concrete plan to transform your SPOT surveys into a powerful tool for reflective teaching.
Learning outcomes:
-
Explain the value of end-of-semester SPOT surveys for both instructors and students.
-
Identify at least two strategies for increasing student response rates on SPOT surveys.
-
Outline key messages to help students provide more specific and actionable feedback.