CTL Offers Special Programming for Large Class Instructors

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is spotlighting the specific challenges facing instructors of large-enrollment classes through a series of special events this fall.

The three events, presented by staff from the CTL and colleagues across campus, are open to all faculty members. More information and links to register for each workshop, as well as information on other upcoming workshops and events, can be found on the CTL website.

Small Strategies, Large Classes

Monday, Sept. 22, 11:20 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.; W. E. B. Du Bois Library 604
Facilitators: Brian Baldi, Kirsten Helmer, Katie Ingraham Dixie and Colleen Kuusinen (CTL); Jia Zhuang and Tim Sheaffer (Instructional Media Lab)

Calibrating teaching strategies for large courses can be challenging and making changes can feel like a big risk. To help, the CTL is hosting a half-day of micro-sessions on small steps with a big impact on student success in large enrollment classes. The morning features 30-minute sessions with reflective activities to support student motivation and mindset and actionable strategies to build classroom community. The pedagogical and practical aspects of supporting attendance and engagement in large classes will be discussed during lunch and the day will end with a session facilitated by the Instructional Media Lab to explore different technology tools that can be used to implement these strategies.

Tools and Strategies for Working with and Supporting TAs

Thursday, Oct. 2, 10 - 11:30 a.m.; Goodell 551 and via Zoom
Facilitators: Neena Thota (CICS), Beth Jacob (Graduate School) and Katie Ingraham Dixie (CTL)

For faculty members looking for more efficient ways to organize, manage and support their Teaching Assistants, the CTL offers this workshop to discuss some of the tools and strategies to improve communication, build relationships and address challenges with TAs. The workshop is a culmination of the work of facilitator Neena Thota's Chancellor's Leadership Fellowship, which involved a collaboration between the CTL and the Graduate School.

Sparking Collaboration and Deeper Engagement with Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL)

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1-2 p.m.; Location details to be provided upon registration
Facilitators: Brian Baldi and Beth Lisi (CTL)
Presenters: Lara Al-Hariri and Sravan Surampudi (Chemistry)

Many instructors, particularly of large classes, grapple with how to promote collaborative, hands-on learning. The Department of Chemistry has developed a novel approach to this dilemma - Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) - that promotes collaborative learning, self-efficacy, belonging and deeper understanding of course concepts by establishing and supporting small group sessions outside of class in which students work together on course problems. In this special sharing session open to all faculty who are interested in collaborative learning, chemistry senior lecturers Lara Al-Hariri and Sravan Surampudi share their approach, templates, evaluation data and lessons learned.