February 2026
Good morning from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE)! In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find information about all our upcoming February programs, a summary of some great teaching advice from James M. Lang, a link to the new blog post from our Academic Integrity Office, and details about how to apply for the CTLE’s May 2026 Course Redesign Institute.
THE VALUE OF IN-CLASS PRACTICE TIME
James M. Lang is one of the most prominent and trusted scholars of teaching and learning, and his columns in the Chronicle of Higher Education are always thoughtful and thought-provoking. The title of his recent article, “If You Care About It, Do It In Class,” pretty much says it all! Specifically, he argues that in-class skills-building practice time has never been more crucial for effective college teaching. He advocates that
- “Whatever you care most about students learning in your course, do it in class.
- If you don’t use class time for skills practice, start doing so now.
- If you already do, do it more.”
Not sure how to get started with increasing practice time in class? The CTLE is here to assist you with brainstorming ideas and class planning. Just request a consultation: Schedule a Consultation.
FEBRUARY PROGRAMS
Three-Part Seminar: Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences
The CTLE and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) is pleased to announce a new co-facilitated in-person three-part seminar, “Designing and Implementing a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE).” The seminar will offer participants a detailed overview of how teaching CURE courses facilitates engaged student learning and creates professionally and personally rewarding teaching environments, plus resources, information, and direct support for designing or redesigning a course as a CURE. Full-time instructors in any discipline are eligible to register. After attending all three meetings, submitting a CURE syllabus, and completing a post-program survey, participants will receive a $250 stipend.
- February 6, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
- February 13, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
- February 27, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
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Student Panel Discussion: Student Perspectives on Using Generative AI
What do our students really think about generative AI? The answers may surprise you! Come to this panel for insights and real talk about students’ experiences, perceptions, and concerns about generative AI in learning and teaching. The panel will include time for questions, and will be held via Zoom.
- Feb 9, 2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m., Zoom
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Lunch and Learn: Conveying Enthusiasm in Your Teaching Practice
You’ve probably heard that students readily recognize and positively respond to an instructor’s demonstrated enthusiasm for the subject and for student learning. But what you might not know is that there are many and widely diverse ways and means for communicating enthusiasm in your teaching practices. You do not have to be an extroverted performer or entertainer to convey your enthusiasm in the classroom and during your interactions with students. During this lunch and learn, we’ll look at some of the different ways instructors show students that they love their subjects, and love helping students engage with those subjects. Space is limited to 10 participants. Registration closes February 6, 2026.
- February 11, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
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Symposium Presentation: New Database for Student Engagement Tools
2025-2026 MP Faculty Fellow Mark Brockway will present at the Office of People and Culture’s Engagement Symposium in February 2026 on a new tool instructors can use to easily and effectively incorporate engaged learning modules in their classes.
- February 20, 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. in Schine 304a
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Discussion Game: Using the Analog Inspiration Card Deck
The Analog Inspiration card deck is a 48-card deck designed to help college educators “explore how generative AI can support values-driven, human-centered teaching and learning. Each card features a human value, concern, or skill paired with one or two practical ideas for integrating AI to center that concept in your classroom.” In this session, each table will use these cards in a discussion game to “reflect on how critical human values, concerns, and skills will be impacted by the emergence of generative AI.”
- February 27, 2:00-3:00 p.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
MARCH PROGRAMS
Workshop: Clear Communication in Assignment Design
What do we value in student writing? How do we make this explicit to our students, who are navigating different expectations in different courses? And how can we help students break down complex writing assignments into a manageable process that they feel confident completing? Faculty from across the disciplines are invited to explore these questions and more in this in-person workshop with leaders from SU’s Writing Center and Writing Across the Curriculum program. No matter which AI policy faculty have chosen for student writing in their courses, the emphasis on process, not “perfect” product, can help to increase clarity and transparency while reducing confusion and fear. Time will be devoted to one-on-one consultations between facilitators and attendees, if desired. Participants are encouraged to bring an assignment that they would like to revise to the session.
- March 4, 1:00-2:30 p.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
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Panel Discussion with Lunch: Professional and Personal Rewards of Teaching First Year Seminar
Faculty members from any department and any rank are invited to come learn more about leading a section of the First Year Seminar (FYS 101). Join Shannon Schantz, Director of Academic Programs & Strategic Initiatives, Center for Student Excellence; Jessamyn Neuhaus, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE); and several esteemed faculty members to reflect on the personal and professional rewards of teaching FYS 101. Bring your questions and your appetite – lunch will be provided! Registration closes March 18.
- March 23, 12:00-1:00 p.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
MP FACULTY FELLOW VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
Zach Huitink, Associate Teaching Professor in Public Administration and International Affairs and a 2025-2026 Meredith Professorship Faculty Fellow will be holding virtual office hours this semester for consultations on topics such as strategies and approaches to developing engaging asynchronous content; live session lesson planning and activity development; assessment in online formats; and community building when working with classes in distance learning formats. No registration or appointment necessary! Zoom in (https://syracuseuniversity.zoom.us/j/9625020800) between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the following days:
- February 4
- February 18
- March 4
- March 18
- April 1
- April 15
- April 29
Professor Huitink is also available by appointment (zshuitin@syr.edu).
APPLY FOR THE 2026 COURSE REDESIGN INSTITUTE (CRI)
We are now accepting applications for our 2026 Course Redesign Institute (CRI)! The CRI is an annual three-day series of discussions, workshops, and hands-on syllabus and course design sessions, providing faculty members with the opportunity to reflect, realign, revise, and redesign a specific course. It will take place in person at 550 Bird Library (CTLE), May 12, 13, and 14, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited to 15 participants. Full-time instructors of record and faculty members of any department and at any rank are welcome to apply. Applicants must have taught the course they’re planning to redesign at least once before applying to the CRI. Participants will receive a stipend of $1,500 after completion of all required sessions (barring medical or family emergencies) and submission of their final annotated revised syllabus within 30 days of completing the CRI. For further information, including the assessment criteria we use to select participants for this competitive program, please visit the CRI page on the CTLE website. The deadline for applying is March 1.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY OFFICE: NEW BLOG POST
Check out the new blog post by Kate Marzen, Director of the Academic Integrity Office, “A Clean Slate.” It offers a concise yet thorough overview of best practices for how to continue to work productively with and support students who are returning to your classroom after an academic integrity violation.