Teaching Matters
The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) is a supportive community for faculty. We’ll guide you on the most effective ways to use innovation in your courses and programs, sharing vibrant new approaches that fit your unique teaching needs.
CITL Spotlights
Exploring a wilderness area, virtually
Photo courtesy Andrew Phanor
I’m experiencing this wilderness while sitting in a studio at the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I’m surrounded by students wearing virtual reality goggles, all of whom are part of political science professor Robert Pahre’s Environmental Politics and Policy class.
Pahre also teaches Politics of the National Parks, and he is currently developing a course on Environmental Politics of the Midwest. He uses VR videos to allow his students to see wilderness sites. Read full article here.
CITL Student Spotlights
Spring Into AI 2026 - Student Voices Panel
What happens when students lead the conversation about Generative AI? In this dynamic live-streaming conversation, Duchara Moody (CITL Intern) led an insightful discussion with students from BNAACC. Students were able to share unfiltered perspectives on how tools like ChatGPT, CoPilot, and other AI platforms are shaping their academic experiences, creativity, career preparation, and sense of integrity. Through a candid dialogue, live audience interaction, and reflective storytelling, student panelists discussed the benefits, tensions, and future possibilities of Generative AI in higher education. Watch the full video on Youtube or MediaSpace
CITL Spaces
Ideas manifest here.
CITL’s X3 Studio (Experience, Explore, and Excel) space is a dynamic hub for innovation, experimentation, and content creation. Designed to support faculty and students exploring emerging technologies, X3 focuses on three key areas: Generative AI Experimentation, XR and VR Experience Development, and Digital Media Content Exploration. Learn more about the X3 Studio.
CITL News
CITL News
We share go-to resources for professional learning, teaching strategies, and innovative practices in education. View our past CITL Newsletters to reflect on innovative teaching tips that enhance student learning, Art of Teaching seminar series that highlight campus partnerships, the promotion of artificial intelligence (AI) workshops and discussions, and a list of meaning events that strengthen our campus community.
CITL Newsletters
- Issue 8 for 2026
- Issue 7 for 2026
- Issue 6 for 2026
- Issue 5 for 2026
- Issue 4 for 2026
- Issue 3 for 2026
- Issue 2 for 2026
- Issue 1 for 2026
AI Newsletters