Advanced Teaching (AT) Certificate Program

The Advanced Teaching (AT) Certificate represents an opportunity for participants to further develop substantive knowledge and skills. The program provides a learning community and support structure within which participants can become better teachers.

Spring Schedule

Content Sessions

All sessions 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Participants will meet in person

January 30
February 13, 20, 27
March 6, 20

Classroom observations (peer and self) will be scheduled between March 6 and May 6.

Program Goals

The AT Certificate program is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to develop their pedagogical knowledge and skills. Participants will purposefully and proactively:

• design effective learner-centered instruction that emphasizes core curricular ideas and focuses on student learning. (Planning)
• learning principles toward the creation of learner-centered instructional environments. (Learning)
• integrate assessment into instruction, viewing assessment as both a component of student learning and a component of what students have learned. (Assessment)
• respect the institutional and cultural contexts within which college teaching occurs. (Context)
• implement instruction that is focused on and fosters student learning. (Teaching)

Participation Benefits

Participants in the AT Certificate program can expect several benefits, including advancing their:

• Development of integrated knowledge related to teaching, learning, motivation, assessment, instructional strategies, instructional technologies, instructional design, and classroom management.
• Development of teaching skills, including using instructional strategies (e.g., discussion, group work, lecturing, problem-based learning, case-based learning, writing), teaching large and small classes, and applying classroom management.
• Development of instructional design skills, including conducting a needs assessment, and engaging in course design, lesson design, and assignment design.
• Development of assessment strategies, including formative and summative assessments, and authentic and traditional assessments.
• Development of skills in reaching all students, including universal design and inclusive pedagogy.
• Development of confidence in creating and implementing effective instruction.
• Development of a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) project.

In addition, participants will receive a certificate of successful completion, indicating their growth in knowledge and skills related to learner-centered pedagogy.

Requirements

Participants in the AT Certificate program must meet each of the following requirements:

• Completion of the Principles of Effective Teaching (PET) Certificate Program or approval by facilitator.
• Participants may be from any department, unit, or college at Virginia Tech.
• Participants must be teaching during program participation.
• Participants must attend 5 of the 6 program sessions.
• Participants must engage in required class peer and formative observations.
• Participants must be interested in advancing their teaching, reflecting on teaching and learning processes, and actively supporting other teachers at Virginia Tech.
• Participants must develop a SoTL project.

Questions?

Please email teaching@vt.edu.