Each summer, the CTL will offer a week-long engaged learning experience for CU Boulder faculty who would like to make small changes in their teaching and/or student learning assessment practices. Drawing inspiration from James M. Lang’s popular book, Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning, the Institute will focus on understanding how students learn and identify changes that instructors can make in course design, instruction, or assessment to improve the learning experience. 

The Institute will offer a mix of talks, collaborative activities, and one-on-one support sessions with a concluding event on the final morning. Programming will focus on three themes based on Lang’s book:

  • Anticipate: How can I prepare students to learn?
  • Engage: How can I help students be present in class?
  • Reflect: How can I help students retain what they have learned?

Participants will identify a challenge or area of their teaching practice that they would like to improve. Through the Institute activities, faculty will work with facilitators to develop evidence-based strategies and a plan to implement them in a course. Participants will share their plans on the final day and get feedback from their colleagues.

Participants will earn a stipend for completing the institute, and will also receive a copy of Small Teaching. We will read selections from the book in preparation for the week. 

Institute Details

Dates: 2022 - TBD (times vary; see schedule below)

Location: Online only via Zoom

Facilitators: Led by Stephanie Foster, CTL Assessment Lead, and Jason Lagapa, CTL Professional Development Lead

Summer 2021's Schedule

Two cohorts based on interest area will be formed in advance of the institute. Cohorts will meet either Day 2 or Day 3 for cohort-specific programming.

Day 1: Monday, May 24, 10:00am-3:00pm MT

Kick-off activity; introduction to the three themes. All participants attend. 

Day 2: Tuesday, May 25, 9:00am-12:00pm MT

Cohort 1 meets 

Day 3: Wednesday, May 26, 9:00am-12:00pm MT

Cohort 2 meets

Day 4: Thursday, May 27, times vary

30-60 minute individual meetings with CTL facilitators; cohort subgroups are welcome to use this time to meet (optional) 

Day 5: Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm MT

Presentation of plans

Eligibility 

We invite all interested CU Boulder faculty members of all ranks (full- or part-time) who have identified a challenge in their teaching or an area they would like to improve. Space is limited to 20 participants. 

How to Apply

Applications for Summer 2022 are not currently open. 

Please direct any questions regarding the Institute or application to CTL@colorado.edu.