CTL & ASSETT Newsletter - September 2023

Formative assessments are low-stakes check-ins intended to provide both students and instructors with feedback on student learning while learning is in progress. For example, Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) are quick, effective, and flexible methods you can use to build opportunities for formative assessment into any course. CATs promote learning by helping students identify gaps in their own understanding, while also enabling instructors to identify and revisit concepts in need of further clarification. Using these techniques can promote a more positive learning experience for students by signaling that you care about their learning and are invested in providing continued guidance to help them improve. We recommend pairing CATs with explicit communication to students that mistakes and struggle are part of the learning process, but with persistence, seeking support when needed, and trying different learning strategies, all students are capable of learning the material. Explore the linked resources to find out how and which CAT(s) you would like to adopt for your course this week!

• Formative Assesments
• Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)
• Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers, CU Libraries ebook listing (use identikey to log in)
• Student Engagement Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty, CU Libraries ebook listing (use identikey to log in)
• Techniques Video Library, K. Patricia Cross Academy

Congratulations to Drs. Chelsea Hackett, Beth Osnes (Theater & Dance), Shawhin Roudbari (Environmental Design), and Rebecca Safran (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) for their recent NSF grant on Advancing Informal STEM Learning: “Side by Side: Youth-Authored Art-Science Exhibits to Broaden Participation in Climate Communication''! This project seeks to engage diverse high school age youth as critical and informed climate communicators, generate clear pathways into STEM learning for diverse learners, and empower K-4th grade youth from historically marginalized communities to see themselves represented in STEM spaces. Learn more about their project. [Photo by Kylie Clarke]

ASSETT’s Visualizing Instructional Practices (VIP) Service provides faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences with formative, evidence-based classroom observation data, insight into patterns of classroom activities, and an opportunity to reflect on your teaching practices. New this year: we’re developing a classroom observation form tailored specifically for language learning courses. If you teach a language course we’d love to observe your classroom and get feedback on our form!

Learn more about how the VIP service can be used to fit your needs in our upcoming virtual workshop “Get the big picture: Visualizing your instructional practices” on Thursday, September 28 from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. MT. Email Sarah Andrews to schedule a consultation or ask questions about the VIP service!

This fall, three newly funded teams composed of faculty, staff and students kick-off a three-year cycle (2023-26) of the innovation incubator. Through this work, they’ll be iterating their novel ideas for improving the undergraduate experience through teaching and learning with technology. Projects include improving equity in media arts, developing virtual labs, and creating a virtual support community for women students. Learn more about the projects.

The Center for Teaching & Learning seeks applications for a new, year-long faculty program for TTT and Teaching Faculty focused on emerging trends, directions, and needs in teaching, learning, and technology. Additional information about the program, including application instructions, are available via this link.

The Center for Teaching & Learning seeks applications for a new, timely, year-long faculty fellowship program for TTT and Teaching Faculty focused on emerging needs and focus on student wellness in teaching and classroom contexts. Additional information about the program, including application instructions, are available via this link.

Well-Being Resources for Your Course on Wednesday, September 6 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. MT

Wellness Wednesday

• Faculty/Staff on Wednesday, September 13 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MT
• Students on Wednesday, October 11 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MT

Inclusive Community of Practice (ICoP), Join us on Zoom from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. MT for as many of the sessions below that you are able to!

• Wednesday, September 13: Building our Capacity to be (More) Inclusive
• Wednesday, October 18: Mental Health and Optimizing Self-Care
• Thursday, November 15

Creating an Accessible Learning Environment in Canvas Series

• Canvas and Incorporating Universal Design for Learning on September 14, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT
• Canvas Course Design Basics on October 12, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT
• Canvas Accessibility on November 16, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. MT

Online Teaching Community of Practice (OCoP), Join us on Zoom from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. MT for as many of the sessions below that you are able to!

• Wednesday, September 20: The Digital Accessibility Office (DAO) Frames Digital Accessibility
• Wednesday, October 11
• Wednesday, November 8
• Wednesday, December 13

Alternative Grading Series

• Thursday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. MT: Ungrading
• Thursday, November 16 from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. MT

Buffscreate

• Introduction to Buffscreate on Thursday, September 21 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. MT
• Create Your Digital Identity with Buffscreate on Thursday, September 28 from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. MT
• Portfolios in Buffscreate on Monday, October 16 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. MT

Fall Celebration of Excellence in Teaching with Technology on Monday, September 25 from 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. MT

Inclusive Research Mentoring for Grads and Postdocs

• Session 2: Maintaining Effective Communication on Thursday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. MT
• Session 3: Assessing Understanding on Thursday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. MT
• Session 4: Promoting Independence on Thursday, November 30 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. MT

Inclusive Research Mentoring for Faculty

• Session 2: Maintaining Effective Communication on Friday, September 29 from 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. MT
• Session 3: Assessing Understanding on Friday, October 27 from 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. MT
• Session 4: Promoting Independence on Friday, December 1 from 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. MT

Course Design Series

• Student Perspectives Panel on Tuesday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MT
• Triumphs and Challenges Encountered by Educators while Using Canvas on Tuesday, November 7 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MT
• Explore the Dynamic Intersection between Artificial Intelligence and Course Design on Tuesday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MT

Student Wellness Panel on Thursday, October 19 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. MT

Faculty Wellness Panel on Thursday, October 19 from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. MT

Engaging International Faculty at CUB on Thursday, November 9 from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. MT

Engaging International Students at CUB on Thursday, November 9 from 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. MT

Many of us at the CTL/ASSETT have been reading the new (2023) Norton Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching by Isis Artze-Vega, Flower Darby, Bryan Dewsbury, and Mays Imad. We especially love how every unit concludes with a “How Can I Get Started” section that shares practical tips for incorporating equity-minded and inclusive teaching and learning strategies into any course. You can enter your email to access the free e-book or purchase a hard copy through Norton. Educators get 25% off with the code EQUITY25.

Programs and Services
Consultations and Classroom Observations
Teaching Resources

Sign up for our monthly newsletter! The CTL and ASSETT newsletter is published once per month during the academic year and includes timely teaching strategies and resources, updates, and upcoming events of interest to the campus teaching community.