Engaging First-Year Students: A New Approach to History at Illinois

History 199 is transforming the first-year experience at Illinois by immersing students in the vibrant world of history. Designed by Stefen Djordjevic and Chloe Parrella, this course actively engages students through dynamic discussions, and close interactions with faculty and peers. From debating current cultural phenomena like "Barbenheimer" to exploring diverse career paths, History 199 connects students early on in their college journey, helping them build a strong community and a passion for history. Watch the full interview or read the full news story to see how this course is setting first-year students up for success!

Hold the Dates - 2024 Fall Faculty Series on Teaching & Learning Begins September 18

The theme of this semester’s series is: “The Art of the Engaging, Responsive Lecture.” Join a dynamic learning community by participating in this specially designed workshop series for faculty (across all disciplines and rank). This six-part weekly series will begin Wednesday, September 18  from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The topics range from implementing student feedback; designing an innovative, creative class session; grading fairly; using humor; to creating a lively, thoughtful discussion. This series is open to first-time and previous attendees. Dates and registration are now open on our CITL calendar. Click here for the flyer.

List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students

The Spring 2024 List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students is now available. If your course is missing, check your instructor report against the criteria in the list. At least five students must have completed the relevant item(s) and you must have released your name and course for inclusion on the list if you qualify. For questions or corrections, please email ices@illinois.edu or call 217-244-3846.

Earn a CITL Teaching Certificate

CITL offers several teaching certificates for professional development purposes. Whether you are a graduate student, faculty member, postdoc, staff, or visiting scholar, one of our certificates is probably right for you. Visit the teaching certificate page of the CITL website for more information.

Canvas Open Office Hours
Every Thursday, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Zoom
Host: CITL Instructional Support Team

Developing Your Professional ePortfolio
Wednesday, September 11, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Zoom (Registration Link)
Host: David Favre (CITL)

CITL Faculty Book Club: Creating Wicked Students
Thursday, September 14, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Room 156 Armory Building (Registration Link)
Host: David Favre (CITL)

Using Informal Early Feedback
Tuesday, September 17, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Zoom (Registration Link)
Host: Lucas Anderson (CITL)

F'24 Faculty Workshop Series on Teaching & Learning, wksp #1: Maximizing Informal (IEF) and Formal (ICES) Student Feedback to Enhance Teaching & Learning (I wish I had known that earlier)
Wednesday, September 18, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Room 182, Armory Building (east side of the building)
Registration Link
Host: Cheelan Bo-Linn (CITL)

F'24 Faculty Workshop Series on Teaching & Learning, wksp #2: Facilitating a Responsive Discussion for Students to Ask and Answer Questions
Wednesday, September 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Room 182, Armory Building (east side of the building)
Registration Link
Host: Cheelan Bo-Linn (CITL)

Stay tuned for this semester's events! Bookmark the CITL Event Calendar for all upcoming workshops and the Training Services (formerly FAST3) Calendar for additional training opportunities. 

Maximizing Learning: Harnessing the Benefits of Informal Early Feedback (IEF)

Incorporating informal early feedback into your classroom can be a game-changer in fostering an engaged and effective learning environment. By promptly gathering insights from students, you not only empower them to take ownership of their learning but also refine your teaching methods for better outcomes. 

Begin by integrating quick feedback mechanisms, such as anonymous polls or brief discussions, during the initial weeks of your course. These bite-sized interactions offer students a chance to voice their thoughts on what's working well and areas that may need adjustment. This not only promotes active participation but also grants you invaluable insights into the class's dynamics and comprehension levels. And implementing a form such as the Informal Early Feedback (IEF) will provide you with important rated and open-ended items on both the teaching and learning in your course.

Interested in more guidance for crafting an IEF form or interpreting the results? Come and join the workshops on September 17 and September 18. These workshops delve into the design, implementation, and interpretation of the IEF. If you have more questions about IEF, feel free to schedule a consultation with us.