| Center for Teaching Newsletter: November 2023 | Supporting excellence in teaching and learning at Iowa
Welcome to the final edition of the Center for Teaching newsletter for the fall semester!
This month, we will share guidance on how to finish strong in the final days of class, an article on designing assignments in the age of AI, upcoming events and workshops, and some accolades for our Center for Teaching staff.
As we approach fall break, now is a great time to think about how you can wrap up your course in a way that is meaningful for both you and your students. Here are a few tips and strategies from our Handbook for Teaching Excellence:
- Reflect on Key Learning Objectives: Revisit the syllabus and discuss how its objectives were met. Encourage students to share personal growth and insights gained and how these fit into their broader educational and life goals.
- Visualize Learning: Use concept maps to help students connect key course ideas to the big picture of the course.
- Celebrate Your Students: Consider a share fair or TED Talk-style conference for students to present a piece of their work.
- Pass It on: Have students reflect on what helped them succeed in the course and share advice for future students.
- Envision the Future: Engage in activities that encourage students to apply their learning to future academic and professional scenarios.
- Express Gratitude: End the course by sharing what you've learned from your students and what it meant to you.
View the full chapter for more detailed strategies and examples of how you can end your course effectively.
| | | Designing Assignments in the Age of AI | Navigating the growth of Artificial Intelligence presents both challenges and opportunities for our teaching. How can instructors effectively balance the utilization of this technology while upholding academic integrity?
Whether you want more information on how you can use generative AI tools to enhance your teaching or advice for how to "AI-proof" assignments, our latest article offers clear, actionable strategies for educators grappling with these technological advancements.
| | | Inclusive Syllabus Asynchronous Workshop | Use the winter break to enhance your syllabus! This self-paced online workshop will support you in developing a welcoming and learner-centered syllabi. You will review your syllabus materials to make them more transparent and inclusive, create personalized syllabus statements, and explore ideas for designing visual and accessible syllabi.
Registration is now available for this asynchronous workshop, which will be monitored from Monday, Dec. 4 to Wednesday, Jan. 10. Participants will have permanent access to a resource-filled ICON site and can continue their work or request a consultation beyond these dates.
| | | Pre-Semester Inclusive Teaching Workshop | Register for What Inclusive Instructors Do and Applications to Practice, a special pre-semester event that will help UI instructors explore what we can do to create equitable, welcoming environments for learners.
The session will be led by special guest Tracie Addy, associate dean of Teaching & Learning and director of the Center for the Integration of Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship at Lafayette College and co-author of the book What Inclusive Instructors Do: Principles and Practices for Excellence in College Teaching. Participants will be able to apply the principles and practices discussed during the session to actual classroom scenarios.
This virtual event takes place from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11.
| | | Center for Teaching Director Earns First-Gen Advocate Award | Anna Flaming, assistant provost for teaching and learning and director of the Center for Teaching, was recently recognized with an Award for Outstanding First-Generation Student Advocacy at the 2023 1stGen@Iowa Awards and Recognition Ceremony. In addition to leading the team at the Center for Teaching, Anna is a founding member of the Provost's Task Force on First-Generation College Students.
Are you thinking about ways you can increase your support for first-generation students? The Center for Teaching has extensive expertise on creating an engaging and supportive educational experience for students who are the first in their family to go to college. Schedule a consultation with Center for Teaching staff to discuss opportunities to enhance teaching and learning for first-gen students.
| | | Winter Break Newsletter | We will have a slightly adjusted newsletter schedule for December and January due to Winter Break. Look for our next newsletter - packed full of information, events, and resources to get you ready for the spring semester - on Wednesday, January 10.
Until then, give the gift of teaching excellence by sharing the sign-up form for the monthly Center for Teaching Newsletter!
The Center for Teaching will be closed Nov. 20 - Nov. 24 for Fall Break. | | | |
