“At the University of Alberta, we prepare students to be creative, collaborative, and confident global citizens who are inspired to make their mark on the world.”
The Centre for Teaching and Learning supports this teaching mission by partnering with instructors and departments to create transformative learning experiences for U of A’s diverse and dynamic student body.
Under the purview of the Office of the Vice-Provost, CTL holds primary responsibility for professional development of teaching practice at the U of A. The unit supports the university in meeting its core commitments and strategic priorities by offering responsive, strategic expertise and services that inspire, empower, and challenge instructors to integrate research-supported, inclusive approaches into their teaching praxis, and to engage in a process of continuous development of teaching practice.
Programming and Services
CTL’s wide-ranging programming and services are designed to model effective teaching and to equip instructors with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to provide students with exceptional learning experiences and to meet the university’s teaching and learning goals:
- Workshops: These workshops target skill building and the development of knowledge and self-awareness for integration into instructors’ teaching practice. Workshops can be stand-alone sessions or a series focused on a theme. They are offered in person, online, or hybridly.
- CTL Talks: Focus on sharing information and ideas on teaching while role modeling engaging lecture styles/techniques. CTL Talks are stand-alone sessions or a series focused on a theme. Offered in-person, online, or hybridly.
- Cohort Learning Groups: Semester-long, interdisciplinary learning cohorts focused on: 1) reading circles that engage with a pedagogical text or, 2) communities of practice and care aiming to co-create and role model the experience of relational, equitable, and accessible learning communities. Offered online.
- Consultations: One-on-one or group solution-focused discussion with a CTL team member on topics related to pedagogy and course/program design and delivery.
Pathways to Effective Teaching Workshop Series
Sept. 25 - Nov. 7, 2024 | Online via Zoom
Grounded in scholarly approaches to teaching and learning, Pathways moves beyond the abstract and theoretical, offering practical, actionable strategies that can be applied to your teaching.
Each of the workshops in Pathways is twice, offering you multiple opportunities to engage. All sessions are offered online and run on Tuesdays (11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) and Thursdays (2 - 3:15 p.m.).
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Impactful Accessibility Tools through Canvas
Oct. 23, 2024 | 12:05 p.m. (20 minute demonstration + 25 minute Q & A) | Online via Zoom
Join us for this 20-minute Wednesday Webinette (i.e. mini-webinar) where we'll explore two key Canvas accessibility tools, Accessibility Checker and Immersive Reader. These features will help instructors meet institutional commitments of equitable and inclusive learning experiences for students.
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Lunch with EDNA | Universal Design for Learning in Conversation with Generative AI
Oct. 23, 2024 | 12:05 - 12:50 p.m. | Online via Zoom
Because Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has led to concerns for academic integrity, some instructors are restricting assessment requirements, such as timed, invigilated exams over more flexible forms of assessment. This poses challenges for students with special physical or cognitive needs who require accommodations.
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Featured Resources
Multifaceted Evaluation of Teaching
Resources for multifaceted evaluation of teaching, including the Framework for Effective Teaching and Student Perspectives of Teaching (SPOT).
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Public-Facing Resource: Teaching During Global and Geopolitical Crisis
We have curated the following list of resources to provide those involved with learning / teaching with accessible and concrete approaches that may help support affected students in trauma-informed and relational ways during a time of geopolitical crisis.
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Teaching in the Context of AI
Welcome to U of A CTL’s dedicated section on the use of AI tools and applications in teaching and learning!
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