CTLE Events in Spring 2024
Teaching & Learning related events in spring 2024 are listed here.
Upcoming events
Check back for upcoming events!
Past events
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Session #4: Using Gen AI in the Classroom-- Ethics and Integrity Considerations | Wednesday, April 24 | 12:00-1:15pm
Gen AI provides unique and valuable opportunities for use in the classroom, yet various concerns arise when we consider integrating it into our courses. Join us to explore suggestions for best practices and navigate the complexities of Gen AI, to ensure responsible and ethical use of this innovative technology in the classroom.
Conversations About Inclusion Series Session #4: Culture of Care-- Empathy and Support for Faculty in the Classroom | Monday, April 8 | 12:00-1:15pm
While we are dedicated to fostering empathy for students in the classroom, faculty often neglect the equally crucial aspect of their own well-being. This session explores pressing questions, including: Where are faculty’s biggest stressors in the classroom environment, and how can we meaningfully address these challenges? Explore this nuanced topic with us, and discover options for creating a supportive and nurturing classroom environment for faculty.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series Session #3: A Visit with Alchemy -- Using Gen AI to Empower Your Course Design | Monday, March 18, 2024 | 12:00- 1:15pm
Join us as we welcome Alchemy-- an innovative organization dedicated to empowering educators in designing high-impact curriculum with assistance from Gen AI. A series of insightful demonstrations, featuring practical exercises and techniques, will inspire your own use of Gen AI when shaping your courses. If you’ve been eager to discover ways that Gen AI can optimize your own teaching experience, this is the perfect opportunity to start! | View the slide deck >>
Conversations About Inclusion Series Session #3: Revising Pedagogy -- Its Vital Role in the Classroom | Monday, February 12, 2024 | 12:00- 1:15pm
While ‘pedagogy’ is a term frequently embedded in academic discussions on teaching and learning, a reassessment of its meaning and utility would be helpful for us all-- especially considering a landscape where fostering inclusivity is crucial. Join your colleagues as our panelists provide insightful perspectives and discuss ways to purposefully integrate inclusive pedagogy into various aspects of your curriculum. A deeper understanding of these approaches can cultivate more impactful teaching experiences, for both you and your students!
Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and is quickly becoming an integral part of the academic landscape in universities. Amidst the many potential benefits and challenges associated with Gen AI, the first step is becoming familiar with what this technology actually is. During this session, faculty will be introduced to Gen AI fundamentals-- including key concepts, familiarization with common tools, and building a comfort level by experimenting with readily available Gen AI platforms. This session is a foundational step in creating your Gen AI literacy.
This session is specifically designed for new and adjunct faculty, although all faculty members seeking a quick review are welcome to attend! Prepare yourself to effectively manage crucial timeline milestones throughout the semester by participating in this workshop. We will provide you with an overview of important details that can help your course go more smoothly. The workshop will cover key considerations for the pre-, early-, mid-, and end of the semester phases.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and is quickly becoming an integral part of the academic landscape in universities. Amidst the many potential benefits and challenges associated with Gen AI, the first step is becoming familiar with what this technology actually is. During this session, faculty will be introduced to Gen AI fundamentals-- including key concepts, familiarization with common tools, and building a comfort level by experimenting with readily available Gen AI platforms. This session is a foundational step in creating your Gen AI literacy. You are encouraged to bring your laptops to the session. | View the slide deck >>
The Conversations About Inclusion Series provides a space for faculty to think deeply and innovatively about interactions with students whose lived experiences vary based on a wide range of ‘differences’ (first gen, region of residence, socioeconomic factors, race, gender, and body ability among many others). Enabling student engagement in the classroom requires knowledge about many ‘differences’, including privilege. This session focused on strategies to build an inclusive classroom. The following topics were addressed: How can we engage students in a classroom by being mindful of differences, including learning abilities? How can we minimize assumptions about students and include diverse experiences and perspectives?
VCU, like many other universities, has strategically been engaging faculty in conversations around emerging technologies, in order to prepare them to use and introduce generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the classroom. Without fear, censorship, or bans, the university aspires to be a collective source of curiosity. One reason the new technology seems to be in every university conversation is that generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has the ability to benefit teaching and learning in various ways, while also creating challenges for instructors in the classroom. For instance, Gen AI can create unique pieces of text, art, code, and video with increasing levels of sophistication. At the same time, these creations cannot be readily identified by typical plagiarism detection tools. This session focused on a discussion of the Tool to generate insights into additional needs identified by faculty.
Conversations on Inclusion Series Session #1: Tips for Engaging Students Across Teaching Modes | Thursday, September 7, 2023 | 12:00- 1:15pm
The Conversations About Inclusion Series provides a space for faculty to think deeply and innovatively about interactions with students whose lived experiences vary based on a wide range of ‘differences’ (first gen, region of residence, socioeconomic factors, race, gender, and body ability among many others).