Teaching and Learning Institute

Offered both fall and spring each year, UTC’s Teaching and Learning Institute (TLI) is a semester-long course on innovative pedagogy for faculty members who are new to UTC. Structured as a series of Canvas course modules, conversations, and hands-on design activities, this comprehensive program in engaged teaching and learning focuses on best practices in instructional design and delivery.

Structure

The class is structured as a series of Canvas course modules, online discussions, biweekly conversations, and hands-on course design activities that facilitate instructor course development and peer review of teaching materials developed during the program.

Bi-Weekly Gatherings

The Institute hosts biweekly gatherings for new UTC faculty to explore their teaching philosophies and best practices related to the Institute’s course modules.

(Re-)Design Project

At the core of the Teaching and Learning Institute is the TLI Course (Re-)Design Project which invites participants to design or revise course materials for use in existing courses or in a Canvas sandbox.

Course Modules (with Numerous Sub-Topics)

• TLI Overview: The Course (Re-)Design Project

• Overall Course Design

• Student Retention and Success: Using Canvas and Learning Technologies Effectively

• Creating Engaged and Active Learning Environments

• The Science of Learning: How Brains Learn

• Equity-Oriented Pedagogy: Utilizing the UDL Framework and Accessibility

• The Diverse Classroom: Race, Inclusion, Mental Health, First-Gen

• Experiential and Community-Based Learning

• Library-Based Learning Activities and Resources

TLI Learning Outcomes

The course learning outcomes align with values central to UTC’s strategic planning, especially transforming lives through meaningful learning experiences.

• Course Pedagogy: Design (or revise) course materials for your classes by implementing active and engaged pedagogical approaches according to current thinking and best practices in teaching innovation today.

• Diversity and Accessibility: Discuss and implement course materials that take into account best practices regarding accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.

• Learning Technologies: Integrate up-to-date learning technologies into your course (or future course).

• Community-Building: Contribute to the cohort through dialogue during group meetings, discussion board posts, and peer conversations outside of the group's synchronous sessions.

• UTC Strategic Plan: The Institute affirms and embodies the values and practices of UTC’s Strategic Plan and institutional vision for teaching and learning. TLI fosters a transformational and engaged approach to liberal arts education. UTC values that are also key to TLI include diversity, inclusion, and overall academic excellence.

For Additional Information: Contact [email protected]