CETL Workshops

SoTL Research Roadmap: Transforming Questions into Action

October 30, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Do you have a research question that can contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Literature but still have questions about implementing the research? Join our interactive workshop to transform your research questions into actionable plans. This session will guide you through the essential steps to design and execute a successful SoTL study.

Bringing the World into Your Classroom: Virtual Global Collaboration and COIL

November 14, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Virtual

Join the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), the Global Education Office (GEO), and Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS) for this information session about Virtual Global Collaboration and ways to incorporate it into your courses! Virtual Global Collaboration at Virginia Tech includes a variety of global and intercultural learning strategies that connect your students with their peers from institutions around the globe through online learning activities and experiences. This session will cover 1) what Virtual Global Collaboration is and ways it can be implemented, including examples of Collaborative Online International Learning (or COIL) and other types of virtual learning experiences, and 2) opportunities to engage in Virtual Global Collaboration at Virginia Tech. The goal of this information session is for participants to leave with an expanded notion of how to incorporate global learning in their classes and a plan to include global engagement in their courses through Virtual Global Collaboration.

Bringing the World into Your Classroom: Virtual Global Collaboration and COIL

November 15, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Virtual

Building Community in the Classroom: Tools for Facilitating a Positive Learning Environment

September 11, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Fostering a sense of community in the classroom can have positive impacts on student engagement and performance. Research shows that when students feel they belong to their academic community, they can engage in dialogue and reflection more actively and take ownership and responsibility of their own learning. This workshop will explore the ideas and strategies for deliberately building a learning community in your classroom throughout the various stages of course design and implementation.

Conducting Research on Your Teaching

September 17, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Are you interested in enhancing teaching and learning experiences? Join us for a workshop that delves into the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). In this session, we will explore the SoTL literature, research methodologies, and practical strategies to engage in the scholarship. Whether you are a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, this workshop will help you make a meaningful impact in the classroom.

Building an Engaging Flipped Science Lab by Using Research-Based Motivation Strategies

September 19, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Laboratory learning is a crucial component of science education, yet undergraduate students often encounter cognitive overload in laboratory settings, potentially diminishing their chances of achieving the intended learning objectives. The flipped classroom model has been recognized for its ability to lessen the influx of new information that students confront upon entering the laboratory, thereby aiding in reducing cognitive overload. However, flipped lab courses face challenges in motivating students to engage in pre-lab learning activities, which can affect their lab performance due to inadequate preparation. To address these challenges, we explored the application of the research-based MUSIC Model of Motivation (Mpowerment, Usefulness, Success, Interest, and Caring) in designing a flipped neuroscience laboratory course. By integrating these five motivational elements into the course design, we enhanced student engagement and improved learning outcomes. Participants will explore the MUSIC Model of Motivation, examine the pros and cons of a flipped approach for laboratory learning, and discuss the techniques used to build a flipped lab experience.

The Just Right Challenge: Designing Assessments and Assignments Students Find Meaningful

September 24, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Well-designed assessments and assignments can be a tool for facilitating meaningful learning experiences when they present the “just right challenge” for students. In this workshop we will discuss the value of connecting assessments and assignments to course objectives and strategies for creating innovative, motivating, and meaningful assessments and assignments to promote student learning.

Making the Most of Groups and Teams for Learning

September 26, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Virtual

As instructors, we often incorporate groups and teams into our courses to promote student learning and to foster transferrable skills with benefits beyond the classroom. In addition to these positive outcomes, however, group- and team-based learning experiences can also present challenges – for both instructors and students. This session will focus on strategies for engaging groups and teams to facilitate learning while maximizing the benefits and addressing the challenges of working with others. Topics addressed in this workshop will include 1) the learning benefits of working in groups and teams, 2) common ways in which groups and teams are incorporated into learning contexts, and 3) strategies for effectively developing and implementing group- and team-based learning experiences (e.g., activity/assignment design and assessment, group/team formation, supporting positive and productive groups/teams in learning). By the end of the session, participants will be introduced to a variety of strategies for effectively integrating groups and teams in the courses they are currently teaching and/or designing or redesigning for the future.

Inspiring Student Engagement Through Classroom Feedback Loops

October 2, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Do you wonder about new strategies for promoting student engagement? Using participants’ own examples of student work, grading materials, and student feedback on course instruction, participants will engage in activities that cover various aspects of a full feedback loop. Participants will practice 1) giving feedback that elevates both student learning and student motivation, as well as 2) synthesizing student feedback and identifying actionable steps they can take to implement real-time (that semester) and long-term (future semesters) improvements in their course that inspire student engagement.

Developing Grading and Feedback Strategies to Promote Learning

October 9, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Virtual

Providing regular and meaningful feedback for and evaluations of students' work is essential to the teaching and learning process. Doing so, however, can be a challenge, particularly in relation to assignment type, class size, and grading resources (e.g., faculty time). During this workshop, participants will learn about ways to provide feedback through both formative and summative assessments and explore best practices in grading strategies. Participants will also have time and support to design or redesign current or future assessments.

From Theory to Practice: Fostering Metacognition in the Classroom

October 16, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Newman Library 4^th Floor – 3310 Torgersen

Metacognition – the ability to think about one’s own thinking – is a powerful tool for student success. Some of your students might have performed poorly on their midterm exam and not know how to improve. In this workshop, we will explore practical strategies to cultivate metacognitive skills in your students. From understanding metacognition theory to implementing effective classroom practices, participants will gain actionable insights to enhance student learning.