Newsletters - Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence

December 2024

Hello everyone and happy end-of-semester season from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence! Thank you to everyone who attended our discussion and idea-sharing sessions about teaching after the election. Please know that the CTLE will continue to offer support and encouragement for all instructors navigating the classroom complexities that arise during divisive and fraught current events.

RECOMMENDED READINGS AND RESOURCES

Teaching in Tumultuous Times

I’m glad that the resources provided on our refreshed Classroom Civility and Navigating Difficult Conversations page have been helpful to many people. I recently added this excellent guide from the Stanford University Teaching Commons: ACT to Sustain Learning Through Current Events. Building trust with and among students in your class is one of the most effective ways to reduce incivilities and promote productive and inclusive learning environments. Co-creating with students a set of guidelines, “ground rules,” “rules of engagement,” or classroom norms at the beginning of a class is one concrete means of increasing that trust. I strongly encourage everyone to add this to your plans for the first week of classes next semester. Here’s a concise guide that includes how to do this in large classes: A Method for Helping Students Create their Own Class Norms/Community Standards | Colorado State University The Institute for Teaching and Learning. See also these suggestions from Cornell University: Establishing Community Agreements and Classroom Norms | Center for Teaching Innovation.

Teaching in the Age of Generative AI

Generative AI is on almost every educator’s mind right now. Below are some resources you can put to use immediately, and upcoming CTLE programs that offer the opportunity to reflect more deeply on teaching and learning in the age of generative AI. The AI Assessment Scale designed by Leon Furze is a great visual tool for communicating clearly with students about acceptable and unacceptable use of generative AI in your class, as is the “Can I Use AI on This Assignment?” template created by Ryan Watkins. Thinking about revising some of your assignments? Start with this recorded talk, “Crafting Assessments that Matter in an AI World,” by Lisa Blue, Director of Artificial Intelligence Strategies at Eastern Kentucky University. Then check out these two helpful guides: A Framework for Designing Assignments in the Age of AI Harvard College Writing Program and Where We Are Now: Designing Assignments in the Age of AI | University of Iowa Center for Teaching.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Assignments and Assessments in the Age of AI

This workshop will engage participants in 1.) discussing how to clearly communicate with students about assignment and/or class policies regarding AI; 2.) reflecting on how two researched-based effective assessment practices–transparency and scaffolding assignments–facilitate authentic student learning and encourage academic integrity; 3.) exploring some examples of assignments that incorporate the use of generative AI. The CTLE will be offering four sessions, two via Zoom and two on-site, of this new workshop. Facilitated by Jessamyn Neuhaus. Space is limited to fifteen participants for each session.

January 8, 9:00-10:15 a.m., Zoom
January 10, 1:00-2:15 p.m., Zoom
January 14, 1:00-2:15 p.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
January 15, 3:00-4:15 p.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)

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Discussion and Idea-Sharing Sessions: Teaching in Divisive Times

If you are feeling uncertain and a bit nervous about what kinds of classroom challenges and “hot moments” lie ahead in the wake of the presidential election, you are not alone! The CTLE is hosting brainstorming/idea-sharing/support sessions for any instructor unsure of how to best navigate the potentially tense classroom situations that might arise around and after the inauguration. Come strategize, share your wisdom of experience, or just get some support and encouragement. We’ll also provide a few recommended short readings to take with you, and links to online teaching resources. Zoom and on-site sessions offered, facilitated by Jessamyn Neuhaus.

January 14, 2025, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Zoom
January 17, 2025, 9:30-10:30 a.m., 550 Bird Library (CTLE)
January 21, 2025, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Zoom

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Spring 2025 Program: Exploring the Use of AI in Teaching

Next semester Dr. Joon Park, Meredith Professor at the School of Information Studies, and I (Jessamyn Neuhaus) will be co-facilitating a monthly community group for up to twenty Syracuse University participants from any discipline, including instructors, staff, and graduate students with teaching responsibilities. No prior expertise in AI is required to join; our focus is on curiosity, discussion, and shared learning. We will explore the comprehensive strategies described in Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning, by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson. Dr. Park will also introduce additional resources and activities aligned with his Meredith teaching theme, AI-augmented education. Meetings will be held in person at 550 Bird Library (CTLE).

January 30, 2:00-3:15 p.m.
February 13, 2:00-3:15 p.m.
March 20, 2:00-3:15 p.m.
April 17, 2:00-3:15 p.m.

Light refreshments will be provided and everyone who signs up will receive a free copy of the book. Space is limited! So don’t wait, register today!

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Community Book Club: Jay Dolmage’s Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher Education

The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) invites the Syracuse University community to participate in a book club discussion of Jay Dolmage’s Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher Education. Academic Ableism explores how disability is created and treated in higher education. It also considers the impact of accommodation processes, architecture, and popular culture, and argues that building more inclusive universities provides everyone with a better education.

CTLE will facilitate two Academic Ableism book club meetings led by Professor True-Frost and Professor Macfarlane. Space is limited to 12 for each group. Please sign up by December 13, 2025.

Book discussion for faculty and staff
February 6, 2025
12:00–1:00 p.m.
College of Law, Room TBD

Book discussion for students
February 13, 2025
12:00-1:00 p.m.
College of Law, Room TBD

Academic Ableism is available in open access. If you are unable to use the open access version or simply prefer a print copy, one will be provided. Simply indicate that preference during registration.

Save the Date!

On March 6, 2025, the College of Law will host a webinar featuring Dr. Dolmage. Information about that event will follow. We hope you will join us for an important and lively discussion about disability in higher education!

STUDENTS CONSULTING ON TEACHING (SCOT)

One of the most important ways the CTLE supports teaching and learning at SU is through our Students Consulting on Teaching (SCOT) program. SCOT is a short-term partnership between a faculty member and a student consultant trained to help faculty gather learner feedback. The purpose is to support faculty in making small, meaningful teaching changes informed by both broad research on learning and student feedback in a specific course. Instructors and students consistently report that SCOT is a uniquely effective way to gain insights, build skills, and improve teaching and learning in the classroom. Learn more about the SCOT program here. Are you ready to partner with a Student Consultant for the Spring 2025 semester? Space is limited so sign up now! SCOT Faculty Sign-up Form. Questions? Contact our SCOT coordinator and Faculty Development Fellow, Jacques Safari Mwayaona (mjsafari@syr.edu).

SU SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING (SoTL)

Did you know that faculty colleagues across the University are conducting research on teaching and learning? Studies range from exploring learning in newly designed courses to focusing on specific classroom and science laboratory strategies.

CTLE wants to celebrate this important work in future newsletters. If you are publishing and/or presenting original research on any aspect of college teaching and learning, please let me know. Whether you’re just getting started or wanting to go deeper in the scholarship of teaching and learning, you’re invited to visit CTLE SoTL Resources.

LAST DAY OF CLASS

If you’re looking for ways to end your classes on a high note, you can find some good ideas here:

REQUESTING A CTLE INDIVIDUAL OR DEPARTMENT CONSULTATION

In addition to our public programs and workshops, we at the CTLE will meet one-on-one, and with small groups, and with departments/programs for personalized and customized consultations on any topic related to teaching and learning. All individual consultations are confidential and voluntary, and only upon request from the individual. If you believe that a friend, co-worker, or colleague would benefit from a consultation with the CTLE, please have them reach out to us! You can share the link to the CTLE Contact Us page, which includes a simple consultation request form. We do not initiate consultations with individuals at the behest of a third party such as Chairs or Deans, and we do not share any identifying information about consultations or participation in our public events with any other office, department, program, or individual.

I am also available to facilitate department discussions about teaching-related issues, and share selected resources with your department members. For example, in preparation for what is sure to be a divisive and fraught presidential inauguration, it could be useful for your department members to discuss together what kinds of classroom practice students find helpful and not helpful after major and potentially upsetting national or local events. Just let me know via our Request a Consultation form that you’d like me to visit your department.

STAY IN TOUCH

I hope you’ll share this newsletter with any friends or colleagues who might be interested, and if you know someone who might like to join our mailing list, here’s a link to the sign-up form: CTLE Mailing List Sign-Up.

Jessamyn Neuhaus
Director
janeuhau@syr.edu