Communities of Practice

COIL + Global in the Classroom Community of Practice

Are you interested in learning more about how to integrate global learning into your students’ class experience – or even where to start? Are you currently incorporating global learning into your course but want to explore new ideas and strategies?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this Community of Practice (CoP) is for you! Co-hosted by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and the Global Education Office (GEO), the COIL + Global in the Classroom CoP will bring together colleagues from across the university for discussions focused on integrating global learning into the classroom (whether on-campus or online) through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL; i.e., collaborative learning experiences and projects with students and faculty members from institutions in different countries), project-based learning, and other teaching strategies.

Each CoP meeting will focus on a different topic, and CoP members will have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers and each other as they discuss opportunities and best practices for designing courses with global learning.

Sign-up for COIL + Global in the Classroom CoP and you will receive the meeting link before the first CoP meeting. All meetings will be held Fridays on Zoom.

February 16, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
March 15, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

GTA Faculty Community of Practice

During the 2023-24 academic year, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning will continue to facilitate the GTA Faculty Community of Practice (CoP) for faculty members who lead/co-lead GTA training. Specifically, the CoP will provide an opportunity to gather with and learn from others across the university who provide teaching-related support to GTAs.

Sign-up for GTA Faculty CoP by completing this form, and you will receive the meeting link before the first CoP meeting (see spring 2024 meeting schedule below; all meetings will be held Fridays on Zoom).

February 16, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
March 15, 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Large Course Community of Practice

Virginia Tech is known for excellent teaching and learning in large classes. The large course community of practice (CoP) invites all faculty to engage in a faculty community focused on concerns and passions for student learning in large courses. The structure of the community reflects the fundamental social nature of human learning and the teaching excellence which exists in the Virginia Tech community.

The community meets monthly and addresses a topic of concern with faculty discussion and faculty demonstrations of how they address these concerns in their courses. Community meetings are open to the Virginia Tech campus community. If you teach, you are welcome! Attend as many, or as few, community meetings to meet your teaching needs.

Sign-up for the Large Course CoP and you will receive the meeting link before the first CoP meeting. All meetings will be held Fridays on Zoom.

January 26, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
February 23, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
March 22, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
April 19, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Adjunct/Contingent Faculty Community of Practice

Adjunct and/or contingent faculty play a major role in the success of colleges and universities in the United States, bringing a plethora of professional experience from business and industry into the classroom. Many adjunct/contingent faculty experience challenges with accessing professional development opportunities associated with teaching responsibilities secondary to unique schedules and/or geographical locations in relation to the university. This community of practice (Cop) is designed to provide a platform to connect with other Virginia Tech faculty members who share similar experiences.

Attend any, or all, of the meetings based on your schedule. All meetings will be held Fridays on Zoom and enjoying your lunch during meetings is highly encouraged. Sign-up for the Adjunct/Contingent Faculty CoP by completing this form and you will receive the link for the first CoP meeting.

January 12, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
February 16, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
March 15, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
April 12, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Community of Practice

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Community of Practice (CoP) invites all faculty to engage in a faculty community focused on examining teaching related questions and the pursuit of answers to be publicly shared. The structure of the community reflects the fundamental social nature of human learning and the teaching excellence which exists in the Virginia Tech community.

The community meets monthly during the spring semester. Each month the community addresses a topic of concern with faculty discussion and faculty demonstrations of how they address these concerns surrounding the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Sign-up for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning CoP and you will receive the meeting link before the first CoP meeting. All meetings will be held Fridays on Zoom.

January 26, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
February 23, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
March 22, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
April 19, 1:00–2:00 p.m.