Events

aerial view of students walking across campus

Graduate Badge: Identifying Your Teaching Personae

Jan 16, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Who are you as a teacher? This workshop will guide graduate teaching assistants in exploring and defining their unique teaching personas. Through interactive activities and reflective discussions, participants will uncover their teaching values, strengths, and areas for growth. By aligning their personal characteristics with effective teaching practices, attendees will leave with a clearer sense of their identity in the classroom and practical strategies to enhance their teaching confidence and effectiveness.

silhouettes of various colors and shapes in abstract human form

The Student Outside the Classroom: Teaching in Unusual Contexts

Jan 22, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Join us as featured guest speaker and educator Luke Hein shares experiences from his time teaching in the mountains of Southwest China, villages in Indonesia, and Alabama prisons. Brought to you by the UK history department and CELT, this session will explore some “classrooms” far away from the traditional classroom, examine problems and opportunities these teaching contexts present, and mine these experiences for things attendees might bring home to their own teaching contexts. Lunch will be provided so please register in advance.

Scaffolding Student Skills: Practical Strategies for Your Classroom

Jan 23, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Helping students build skills for success doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this session, we’ll explore practical scaffolding strategies to support students in developing transferable skills, from analytical thinking to effective discussion. Discover how to break complex tasks into manageable steps, provide targeted support, and guide students toward independence. Whether you’re teaching first-year undergraduates or advanced learners, these techniques can be adapted to fit any course or discipline.

three people working on a project design

Better Practices in Student Group Work

Jan 28, 2025, 9:30 – 10:30 AM

In this workshop, we will explore effective strategies for fostering student engagement and skill development through collaborative group work. Focusing on practical techniques, we’ll discuss how to guide students in building essential skills such as assigning roles, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork while navigating group dynamics. Participants will learn how to design meaningful group projects that not only encourage active participation but also help students develop transferable skills that are crucial for success beyond the classroom.

Inviting Students to Reflect on their Learning: Exam Wrappers and other Strategies

Feb 3, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Have you ever wondered how you can help students process the results of an exam in a constructive way that further supports their learning? Asking students to spend time reflecting on their assessments and their preparation for those tasks can help students identify gaps in their understanding and rethink their steps for preparation. In this session, we will unpack a reflective learning technique known as “exam wrappers,” which can help students get the most out of assessment feedback to enhance their learning from exams.

Teaching Approaches for Student Wellbeing: UDL & Trauma-Informed Pedagogies

Feb 13, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, students face varied challenges and stressors. This workshop will explore versatile tools instructors can use to foster supportive learning environments where students can better manage stress and anxiety. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Trauma-Informed pedagogy offer practical approaches for proactively creating learning environments that support student learning and resilience.

Illustration of a white paper document against a soft blue backdrop. The document showcases brief text snippets.

Better Practices in Student Peer Review

Feb 17, 2025, 3:00 – 3:30 PM

In this workshop, we will explore effective strategies for implementing student peer review that enhances both the review process and student learning. Focusing on practical techniques, we’ll discuss how to guide students in giving and receiving constructive feedback, while fostering a collaborative environment that supports skill development in critical thinking and revision. Participants will learn how to design peer review assignments that are clear, structured, and aligned with learning goals, as well as how to create a safe space for students to engage with each other’s work.

Coaching Students on Reading

Feb 26, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

In this workshop, we will explore effective strategies for coaching students to become more active and strategic readers. Focusing on practical techniques, we’ll discuss how to guide students in developing essential reading skills, such as critical analysis, comprehension, and synthesis, while also encouraging deeper engagement with texts. Participants will learn how to scaffold reading assignments, provide targeted guidance on reading strategies, and help students build habits that promote long-term reading success.

group working over images of idea bulbs, gears, icons, and arrows

Authentic Assessments

Mar 13, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

In this workshop, we will explore effective strategies for designing and implementing authentic assessments that align with real-world applications and engage students in meaningful ways. Focusing on practical techniques, we’ll discuss how to create assessments that go beyond traditional tests and encourage students to demonstrate their learning through projects, presentations, and other performance-based tasks. Participants will learn how to develop assessments that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity while also providing opportunities for reflection and self-assessment.

Students working together at a table in a lecture hall

Graduate Badge: Taming the Inner Teaching Critic

Mar 26, 2025, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Have you ever wrestled with persistent nagging doubts about being qualified enough for your instructional role or whether your students perceive you as being a capable and competent instructor? Up to 70% of people experience these feelings/thoughts of being a fraud or imposter at least once in their life. In this session, we will learn more about imposter phenomenon and techniques for taming your inner teaching critic. NB: Graduate teaching badge eligible.