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]