Upcoming Events
TLC workshops, seminars and panels are inclusive events. Please let us know if you require any accommodations. Contact us at tlc.utm@utoronto.ca if you have questions.
Fall 2018 Events
Course design 101: Designing effective assessments (Workshop)
October 30, 2018 from 10am-12pm in NE 4107
Dianne Ashbourne, Educational Developer, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, UTM
This workshop will provide an overview of the core principles and strategies of effective assessment design. A survey of assessment strategies and their alignment with different learning outcomes will also be shared. Participants will be asked to analyze sample assignments and reflect on the design of their own assignments.
Where you fit in the big picture: Aligning your course with program expectations (Seminar)
November 8, 2018 from 1-2pm in NE 5128
Fiona Rawle, Associate Dean, Undergraduate & Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Biology, UTM
In this session, we will explore how to align your course and assignments with broader program expectations and learning outcomes. We will discuss how to identify potential gaps and alignment opportunities. Both challenges and strategies will be explored through this workshop.
Faculty perspectives on teaching large classes (Panel)
November 13, 2018 from 1-2:30pm in NE 5128
Panel members:
- Ken Derry, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Historical Studies;
- Sherry Fukazawa, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Anthropology;
- Judith Poë, Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences;
- Alex Rennet, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences
Join us to gather ideas and advice for teaching large classes from experienced colleagues. Panel members, representing a variety of disciplines, will comment on the challenges of teaching large classes and will share ideas and advice. The panelists will address the following questions:
- How do you manage the logistical/administrative issues that come with teaching a large class?
- How do you counteract anonymity in large classes?
- Are there any teaching strategies that you have found particularly effective for teaching large classes?
- How do you handle assessment in large classes?
- What advice do you have for working with TAs?
Winter 2019 Events
Supporting new student experience at UTM: Understanding our new students and transitions they face (Workshop and Panel)
January 15, 2019 from 1-2:30pm in NE 5128
Svitlana Frunchak, Student Success Coordinator, Academic Initiatives, Centre for Student Engagement
No matter where they come from to UTM (Canadian high schools, international secondary schools, colleges, or workplace), new students face challenges and bring strengths that are both common and unique. In this session, we will focus on understanding new students and the supports that can help them in their transitions to university. Using student development theory as a foundation, participants will be introduced to effective teaching approaches and campus resources aimed at making the transition to university easier and more successful for diverse populations of incoming students. This session is intended for instructors of first-year courses, but others are welcome to attend.
Getting started in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) (Workshop)
January 23, 2019 from 10am-1pm in NE 5128
Nicola Simmons, Assistant Professor, Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education, Brock University.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) investigates teaching and learning issues to find context-relevant and evidence-informed solutions. In this workshop we look at how to get a project started and different approaches to SoTL work. Bring your SoTL idea and explore possible forms of evidence and approaches to analysis as well as considerations for ethics and funding. We also look at where to find more resources and how to make SoTL work public.
Faculty perspectives on active learning (Panel)
February 7, 2019 from 2:30-4pm in NE 5128
Panel members:
- Yuhong He, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, UTM
- Sanja Hinić-Frlog, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of BIology
- Paul Piunno, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
- Chester Scoville, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of English and Drama, UTM
Join us to gather ideas and advice from experienced colleagues for integrating active learning opportunities in both small and large courses. (Seminar) members, representing a variety of disciplines, will comment on the challenges of implementing active learning and will share ideas and advice. The panelists will address the following questions:
- What key components make active learning activities effective? Are there any strategies you have found particularly effective?
- How do you address student resistance to active learning?
- What strategies do you use to facilitate group work?
- How you make time for active learning while still ensuring you cover all of your course content?
- How do you use technology to facilitate active learning?
Indigenous curriculum reform initiatives at UTM (Panel)
February 27, 2019 from 12-1pm in NE 5128
Panel members:
- Jennifer Adese, (Otipemisiw / Metis) Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, UTM.
- Robin Gray, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, UTM. Dr. Gray is Ts’msyen from Lax Kw’alaams, BC, and Mikisew Cree, with Dene roots, from Fort Chipewyan, AB.
- Stepfanie Johnston is an Anishinaabe/Metis student. MA Anthropology with a Collaborative Specialization in Indigenous Health
- Nicole Laliberte, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Geography, UTM
- Sherry Fukuzawa, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Anthropology, UTM
- Cat Criger, Indigenous Advisor, UTM
This panel will discuss the importance of an Indigenous curriculum in all Divisions at UTM. We will provide some resources and examples of Indigenous initiatives that are taking place in UTM classrooms. We will converse on the importance for all UTM students and faculty to understand the long lasting consequences of the historical relationship between Universities and Indigenous peoples in Canada, and begin a discourse on possible ways for UTM to move toward reconciliation.
Moving from feedback to feedforward: Best practices and useful tips (Workshop)
March 7, 2019 from 2-4pm in NE 5128
Michael Kaler, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream & Writing Specialist, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, UTM
In this workshop, we'll discuss the differences between viewing responses to student work as (summative) 'feedback' versus (formative) 'feedforward.' We'll talk about how to integrate responses into the structure of the course as a whole, discuss best practices to make sure that our feedforward is taken seriously by students, and get some hands-on practice in applying these techniques to student writing.
Demystifying the dossier series: Preparing the teaching dossier (Workshop)
March 19, 2019 from 11am-1:30pm in NE 5128
Dianne Ashbourne, Educational Developer, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, UTM
Megan Burnett, Associate Director, Centre for Teaching Support and Innovation, University of Toronto
At the University of Toronto, teaching dossiers must be submitted as part of the review process for tenure review or continuing status review. This session will provide an overview of the content and structure of an effective teaching dossier, with an emphasis on how to align this document with divisional and institutional expectations. Session participants will review the distinctive qualities of a teaching dossier, and will develop a plan for assembling and strengthening their own dossiers. They will also be led through the first steps of composing a Statement of Teaching Philosophy.
How to identify and mitigate unconscious bias in teaching and learning (Seminar)
April 9, 2019 from 12:30-1:30pm in NE 5128
Fiona Rawle, Associate Dean, Undergraduate & Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Biology, UTM
This session will present an overview of unconscious bias, specifically looking at the teaching and learning context. We will explore how to identify different types of implicit bias, and will examine strategies to prevent and/or mitigate this bias.
Teaching & Learning Collaboration year-end lunch (Celebration)
April 23, 2019 from 12-2pm, location TBA
Fiona Rawle, Associate Dean, Undergraduate & Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Biology, UTM
Dianne Ashbourne, Educational Developer, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, UTM
This is your chance to share and showcase teaching & learning successes (and challenges) from the past year. Please join us for lunch followed by several informal sessions, sharing opportunities, and discussions of challenges.
ALC Show & Share (Showcase)
April 25, 2019 from 11am-1pm, location TBA
UTM’s Active Learning Classrooms (ALC) provide instructors from all disciplines with a unique opportunity to explore how space, active learning pedagogy and technology can promote student learning. During this session, instructors who have taught in the ALCs this year will share how they facilitate a student-centered learning environment in their courses through active learning strategies, technology and classroom space.
Summer 2019 Events
University of Toronto Teaching and Learning Symposium (Symposium)
The U of T Teaching and Learning Symposium, organized by CTSI, is typically held during the first week of May.
STLHE Annual Conference (Conference)
The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) Annual Conference is typically held during the third week of June.