You are invited to participate in a series of informal teaching talks throughout 2017. These are opportunities for participants to comfortably share teaching concerns and discuss techniques and strategies with colleagues, experts, and CETL staff. All sessions will take place in Rowe 319. All UConn instructors —graduate students, TAs, and APIRs, as well as adjunct, tenure-track and tenured faculty—are encouraged to attend.
Contact Suzanne LaFleur if you have questions or would like more information.
Thursday, August 3 1:00 – 2:15 Using Creativity (both yours AND your students’) in your Teaching
We will discuss such topics as:
Taking chances
Active learning
Playing to your strengths
Creative presentation techniques
Making it safe to fail
Using music and art
Divergent and convergent thinking
Using student creativity to help plan more interesting lessons
Register here
Wednesday, August 9 1:30 – 2:45 Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation
At this session, participants will discuss topics like
Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
The role of choice in motivation
Engaging student passion
The importance of the teacher/student relationship
Challenge and reward
The reluctant learner
Service Learning
Register here
Monday, August 14 10:00 – 11:15 Developing & Writing Learning Objectives
At this session, participants will discuss issues like
- Discerning between lower-, middle-, and higher-order thinking skills
- Expressing what students will learn from our course
- Articulating learning outcomes in measurable terms
- Checking that activities and assessments align with learning outcomes
If possible, please bring a syllabus to work on at the session.
Register here
Monday, August 14 12:00 – 1:15 Aligning Learning Objectives, Assessments, and Activities
At this session, participants will
- Review current assignments and assessments to ensure that they align with student learning objectives
- Brainstorm a variety of activities and assignments that align with objectives
- Consider infusing more active and collaborative learning in the classroom
- Discuss designing authentic assessments that require critical thinking
If possible, please bring a syllabus to work on at the session.
Register here
Tuesday, August 15 10:00 – 11:15 Designing Your Syllabus
At this session, participants will discuss issues like
- Course-design concerns
- Syllabus requirements
- Policy statements (what to include and why)
- How students use a syllabus
- Using the syllabus to engage students
If possible, bring a draft syllabus to work on during this session.
Register here
Wednesday, August 16 1:30 – 2:45 First Impressions and the First Day of Class
We will discuss topics such as:
Things to think about and do before you step into the classroom
The first day of class
Setting the stage for the semester
Ice breakers
Encouraging student participation & questions
Register here
Friday, August 18 11:00 – 12:15 Mixing It Up: Adding Variety to Your Classroom Instruction
At this session, participants will discuss topics like
Breaking up the lecture: when, how (videos, stories, role play, Q & A, iClickers, small group discussion, brief activities…) why
Q & A as review
Restatement of key points by students as a check for understanding
Small group discussion of followed by whole group discussion
Brief activities to help achieve learning objectives
Assigning each section of a chapter to a small group of students who will then present the material to the whole group
Register here
Friday, August 18 1:00 – 2:15 Designing Your Syllabus
At this session, participants will discuss issues like
- Course-design concerns
- Syllabus requirements
- Policy statements (what to include and why)
- How students use a syllabus
- Using the syllabus to engage students
If possible, bring a draft syllabus to work on during this session.
Register here
Monday, August 21 9:00 – 10:15 Planning for Effective Communication in Your Course
In this talk, we will share and discuss how establish more effective communication in your course right from the start. We will discuss topics such as:
Register here
Monday, August 21 11:00 – 12:15 Active Learning Strategies
We will discuss topics such as:
- Reasons to use active learning strategies
- Practical considerations
- Specific techniques for both large and small classes
- Flipping the course or lesson
- Managing the active classroom
Register here
Tuesday, August 22 1:00 – 2:15 Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
We will discuss topics such as:
Maintaining a positive attitude
Making students feel welcome and showing you care
Encouraging student participation and active learning
Giving choices and engaging student passion
Celebrating both success and failure
Using humor to make and/or emphasize a point
Register here
Tuesday, August 22 2:30 – 3:45 Encouraging Class Participation & Interaction
At this session, participants will discuss topics like
- Enhancing student motivation to participate
- Integrating active learning both inside & outside of class
- Encouraging discussion
- Using discussion boards & related tools
- Using technology as an engagement tool
Register here
Wednesday, August 23 9:30 – 10:45 Designing Your Syllabus
At this session, participants will discuss issues like
- Course-design concerns
- Syllabus requirements
- Policy statements (what to include and why)
- How students use a syllabus
- Using the syllabus to engage students
If possible, bring a draft syllabus to work on during this session.
Register here
Wednesday, August 23 11:00 – 12:15 Public Speaking and Presentation Tips for Teachers
We will discuss topics such as:
Breaking up the lecture- small group discussion, large group discussion, questions (yours and theirs)
Effective use of PowerPoint slides & other visuals
Speaking the students’, or audience’s language, and making the presentation fit the audience
Moving away from the board or the podium
Effective use of humor
Register here
Friday, August 25 11:00 – 12:15 Student Engagement: From the Syllabus to the First Day & Beyond
At this session, we will discuss topics like
- The syllabus as an engagement tool
- Essential questions of the course
- Capturing and keeping attention
- Encouraging intellectual curiosity
- Designing engaging assessments
Register here
Wednesday, August 30 1:30 – 2:45 Effective Use of Small Group Instruction
We will discuss topics such as:
Why small groups increase student engagement, motivation, and learning
The types of learning goals/objectives that are best suited to small group work
Important considerations for designing and implementing small group learning activities
Practical tips
Register here
For more information, contact: Suzanne LaFleur at suzanne.lafleur@uconn.edu