Rocklin Teaching and Learning Invited Speaker Series, spring events, starting the semester strong, and more in our winter newsletter!
Center for Teaching workshop

Center for Teaching Newsletter: Winter Break 23-24

Supporting excellence in teaching and learning at Iowa  

Welcome to the winter break edition of the Center for Teaching newsletter!

This issue includes information about tomorrow’s invited speaker, a full list of our spring semester events, insights from a graduate teaching fellow, resources for starting the semester, and an update on our faculty learning communities.

We're excited to launch the Rocklin Teaching and Learning Invited Speaker Series, a pre-semester event focused on collaborating with national experts to enhance the teaching and learning community at the University of Iowa.

The series is named for Dr. Tom Rocklin—the Center for Teaching’s founding director who served the university in various capacities for more than 30 years before retiring in 2017—and aims to honor his enduring impact on the educational landscape at the UI.

Our inaugural event features 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.

This virtual event takes place from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 11 and will help UI instructors explore what we can do to create equitable, welcoming environments for learners.

If you haven’t registered yet, you can find more information and RSVP for the inaugural event online.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

The Center for Teaching invites you to register for our spring 2024 events:

Jan. 16 - Sparkshop: Setting the Tone and Building Trust during the First Days of Class

Jan. 19 - Application Deadline for Inclusive Teaching Book Club

Feb. 5 - Designing Authentic Assignments in the Age of AI

Feb. 21 - Sparkshop: Teaching Strategies to Mitigate Student Burnout

March 6 - Sparkshop: Three Strategies for Collecting Meaningful Student Feedback

April 3 - Sparkshop: Efficient and Impactful Approaches to Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

April 19 - Graduate Student Experiences with Equitable Grading

All instructors regardless of appointment or experience level are invited to participate in Center for Teaching events.

Download our digital poster featuring a complete list of spring 2024 events and descriptions to learn more about all of our events, workshops, services, and support.

Make sure you save the date for our summer events. 

May 20-24 - Course Design Institute (application available in mid-February)

Aug. 12 - Inclusive Syllabus Design Retreat (registration opens in March)

Aug. 15 - Transparent Assignment Design Retreat (registration opens in March)

Strategies for a Successful Start to the Semester

Preparing for the spring semester? Dive into our "Seven Ideas for Setting Your First Week of Class up for Success!"

This guide offers practical advice for creating an engaging, supportive learning environment from day one of class. From personal introductions to setting clear expectations, these strategies will help you lay the foundation for a successful term. 

Graduate Fellow Q&A: Jamie Kaminski

Each year, graduate teaching fellows design and facilitate a workshop as part of their work with the Center for Teaching. Jamie Kaminski, a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, is hosting a sparkshop from noon to 12:25 p.m. on Feb. 21 focused on Teaching Strategies to Mitigate Student Burnout. 

Learn more about the sparkshop and the inspiration behind it in our Q&A with Jamie. 

Faculty Communities at the UI

Faculty Communities are helping shape the future of teaching and learning at the University of Iowa by offering a space for educators to collaborate, innovate, and grow.

These groups help develop knowledge around a specific topic by bringing together instructors from a broad range of individual and social experiences. The groups are led by a faculty scholar-practitioner in collaboration with an expert from the Center for Teaching. Learn about the impact and benefits experienced by UI faculty and find out how you can be a part of this enriching program.

OTLT Workshops and Events for Instructors

A special invitation from our colleagues in the Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology.

Do you want to learn more about academic technologies that can enhance your teaching practices and increase student engagement? Set your semester up for success with workshops from the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology (OTLT). Topics include ICON, UICapture, Pressbooks, Gradescope, and Top Hat. Instructors can also join our academic technology user groups to connect with others and learn how they use technology in their courses.

Our next newsletter is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21. If you have suggestions for the newsletter or would like to provide us with feedback, email teaching@uiowa.edu.

If you're enjoying the Center for Teaching newsletter, please consider sharing our sign-up form with a friend or colleague. 
The University of Iowa

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Center for Teaching in advance at 319-335-6048.