Previous Art of Teaching Presentations

• Active Learning in STEM through the Merit Program

  Jennifer McNeilly (LAS, Math) and Lily Arias (LAS, SIB)

  The Merit Program brings together instructional and administrative expertise from multiple LAS units to support and mentor over 1200 students and 50 teaching assistants in large chemistry, biology, and mathematics service courses each semester. These first and second-year courses are often overwhelming for students and can contribute to increased STEM attrition. To enhance the student experience, Merit sections provide a student-centered atmosphere and foster the formation of an academic community. This presentation will offer perspectives from experienced Merit Program instructors related to the planning and facilitation of active learning classes via the Merit style of instruction.

  Watch the April Recording.

• Guiding Students to Explore Scientific Literature

  Presenter: Konstantinos Kourtikakis (LAS)

  Description: In our courses, we often assign important scientific works, which many students find difficult to navigate, either because of the unfamiliar terminology or the advanced methodology. As a result, either students avoid engaging with these works or we try to convey the content to the students in simplified form. Yet, these are missed opportunities for students to learn about the subject matter in its rich original form and to become more sophisticated readers of scientific work. This talk proposes a structured method of helping students navigate these more complex but important works. The goal of the method is to challenge students to engage with advanced texts without intimidating them.

• Virtual Global Classrooms Across Campus

  Holli Hazelwood and Roman Friedman

  Join us for an interactive panel discussion on Global Classrooms across the UIUC campus. Our guest speakers will explore the impact of this virtual international education modality and how it breaks barriers to traditional international education.

  May Session Recording

• Teaching for All: Digital Accessibility Resources for Inclusive Learning and Course Design

  Keith Hays (OVCDEI) and Marc Thompson (CITL)

  Explore key tools and resources to create accessible and inclusive learning experiences while following state and federal accessibility standards. This presentation will highlight the "Make Your Course Accessible" website, the Quick Start workshop series on accessible course, document, and multimedia design, and four upcoming certificate tracks: Accessible Course Design, Accessible Document Design, Accessible Multimedia Design, and Foundations of UDL. This session provides practical resources to help you achieve accessibility in your course design and instruction.

  Watch the Session.

• Canvas Catalog and Professional Learning

  Gary Hecht(Gies)

  During 2023 and 2024, Gies College of Business delivered a hybrid course to Caterpillar, Inc. employees. Specifically, the course was designed for Caterpillar’s global accounting and finance professionals to develop and improve business analytics skills. The 2023 pilot involved 50 learners; the 2024 offering expanded to include 200 learners split between introductory and advanced courses. Course content was delivered within the Canvas Catalog platform, complemented only by Microsoft Teams used to deliver live class sessions. In this presentation, Gary Hecht (Gies) will describe the use of Canvas Catalog to deliver these hybrid-remote courses to outside (i.e., non-Illinois-student), professional learners. Registration is required.

  Session Recording

• Pedagogy of (dis)comfort

  Deana McDonagh (FAA and Beckman)

  This session will explore the 'pedagogy of (dis)comfort' as an educational tool that supports the student in developing a deeper empathic understanding of others. Empathic modeling and mood boards offer an extension to existing teaching tools.

  Session Recording

• Beyond the Lesson Plan: Addressing Classroom Conflict with Confidence

  Mardia Bishop and Deja Rollins

  November 7th, 12-1pm via Zoom

  Tired of freezing up when a student challenges your authority or questions the course content? What about when microaggressions rear their ugly head, leaving you at a loss for words? Imagine having the confidence and skills to handle these moments with poise and clarity. Join us for an interactive workshop that will empower you with practical strategies and hands-on practice to address difficult comments and actions in your classroom. Let's work together to ensure your classroom remains a dynamic, inclusive space where every voice is respected.

  Session Recording

• The Art of Training Graduate Teaching Assistants

  

  Thursday, October 3, 2024

  Anna Wright (LAS)

  In this presentation, Anna Wright will share what skills and resources she uses to train graduate teaching assistants to be ready to teach through her training program. She will share resources and strategies and welcomes participation and discussion from participants.

  View the Recording

  Art of Training TAs (PowerPoint)

  Example TA Orientation Agenda (Word Document)

• Creating an Engaging Classroom with Student Support Services

  September 5, 2024           

  Creating an Engaging Classroom with Student Support Services

  Reba Daniels (FAA)

  Reba Daniels (FAA) will share the ways she collaborates with different student support services and how, with even 5 minutes, anyone can encourage these connections. No class is too small or too large to form connections as she showcases tips and tricks from leading classes of 20 to 400 + students. 

  View the Recording

• Early Findings from the Hybrid Teaching Pilot Program

  May 2, 2024           

  Early Findings from the Hybrid Teaching Pilot Program

  Simona Buetti and Alejandro Lleras (PSYCH)

  The Hybrid Teaching and Learning Pilot, which launched in Fall 2023, was developed to explore the specific challenges of delivering instruction to students who are both in the classroom and attending remotely. Key aspects of the investigation include classroom design and technology--including room set up, cameras,  microphones, and tech support, as well as classroom management strategies--including content delivery, engagement strategies, and learning outcomes. Small stipends are available to faculty who are interested in participating in the investigation.

  In this presentation, Simona Buetti and Alejandro Lleras (PSYCH) will describe their experiences transitioning a large enrollment lecture-based class into a hybrid format. They will share survey data comparing online students who attended remotely with in-person students and describe some of the challenges they encountered with classroom technology, ensuring that online students feel included, and learning how to adapt to the hybrid teaching format.

• Anti-Oppressive: Addressing Power and Inequality through Syllabi Redesign

  

  March 7, 2024

  In this presentation, Melissa Iverson (Social Work)  (Communication) explores the crucial role of anti-oppressive teaching in academia. Emphasizing the responsibility of educators, this presentation underscores the importance of revising course syllabi to combat oppressive practices, promoting diversity, and fostering a welcoming environment.

  • View the Webinar recording.
  • View the PowerPoint slides.
  • View the Box folder resources.

• Creating a Mutually Inclusive and Respectful Classroom Environment

  

  

  March 7, 2024

  Mardia J Bishop, Shaimaa Khanam, and Monét Tchamdjoci (Communication) focus on creating and maintaining a mutually respectful classroom environment for students and instructors of diverse backgrounds and social identities.

  • View the Webinar recording.
  • View the PowerPoint slides.
  • View Example of Ice Breakers.

• View the Art of Teaching Playlist of Previous Presentations

  We are pleased to announce the release of the Art of Teaching Lunchtime Series playlist of previous presentations. This curated collection features diverse insights from seasoned educators and experts, covering a broad spectrum of educational themes, from instructional design to student motivation.

  Key Highlights:

  • Broad Spectrum: Explore a variety of educational themes presented by accomplished educators, scholars, and professionals.
  • Renowned Speakers: Gain valuable insights from individuals with significant experience and innovation in the field.
  • Practical Wisdom: Acquire actionable strategies to enhance your teaching toolkit.

  Access the Playlist.
  

  Join us in this intellectual journey and make the Art of Teaching a cornerstone of your professional development. Stay tuned for additional sessions to further enrich your educator's journey.

• Hidden Gems: Recognizing, Understanding, and Supporting First Gen Students in the Classroom

  February 4, 2024

  Presenter: Kristine McCoskey (I-Promise)

  Kristine McCoskey (I-Promise) and first-gen students discuss their experiences at the University of Illinois for the Art of Teaching Lunchtime Seminar Series. As first gen and FGLI (first-gen, low/limited income) numbers increase on campus, how can we understand their academic challenges and how do external factors directly affect scholastic performance and tenacity?

  • View the Webinar recording.

• Experiential Learning

  December 7, 2023           

  Presenter: Toni Marie Gist (FSHN) and Justine Karduck (FSHN)   

  Dr. Justine Karduck and Mrs. Toni Gist – award-winning faculty from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition – showcased tips and tricks for implementing new practices in your class to keep students engaged and connected.

  • View the webinar recording.

• The Stu/dio: Innovations in Student-Driven Development & Serious Games-Learning through Play

  November 2, 2023           

  Presenters: Daniel Cermak (Informatics) and Katryna Starks (Game Studies and Design)

  Daniel Cermak discussed the STU/DIO, a student-driven initiative brings process to the combination of high-end student skills and the creative direction provided by campus faculty.

  Later, Katryna Starks explored games that further the understanding of history, language, culture, and the ways that entertainment games integrate serious content, promoting a lifetime of learning.

  • View the webinar recording.
    

• A Small but Meaningful Mindset for Improving Your Teaching

  October 5, 2023           

  Presenter: Amy Lynette Clay (French & Italian)

  What small but meaningful practices can you adopt to improve teaching and learning in your courses? Amy shared how she adopted a small but meaningful approach to improve courses in her program while balancing other professional responsibilities.

  • Download the presentation PDF.
  • View the webinar recording.

• Islands in the Stream: Fluidity in Teaching: Adapting to a Constantly Changing Teaching Environment

  September 7, 2023           

  Presenter: Andrea Faber Taylor (Crop Sciences)
  

  Andrea Faber Taylor (Crop Sciences) shared ideas for: Adapting your course to engage students in a variety of settings; incorporating supportive and restorative activities for students; and investing in yourself to consistently be your best self.

  • Download the presentation PDF.
  • View the webinar recording.

• Dos, Don’ts, and Time-Saving Practices

  April 1st, 2021

  Presenter: Lawrence Angrave (CS)
  

  Students may present a wide range of hidden and non-hidden physical, emotional, and learning disabilities. Lawrence will highlight principles of universal design, and offer effective strategies for making your classroom and course materials accessible and welcoming to all types of learners.

  • Read the story on Angrave's work with UDL.
    
  • Download the presentation PDF.
    
  • View the webinar recording.

• Group Projects that Deepen Learning

  November 5th, 2021

  Presenter: Leon Liebenberg (MechSE)
  

  Concerned by a growing sense of emotional disconnect among his students online, Leon responded by developing a series of scaffolded mini-projects as a way to encourage higher engagement and self-directed learning.
  

  • Read the story on Liebenberg's mini-projects.
  • Download the presentation PDF.
    
  • View the webinar recording.

• Harnessing the Profound Connection Between Emotion and Learning to Enhance the Success of All Students

  

  March 4, 2021

  Presenter: Shelly Schmidt (FSHN)
  

  Shelly will describe her work on the impactful connections between emotion and learning, and discuss ways to make our college classrooms a safe and authentic place for students to learn and grow, and where they can feel empowered to do their best work.

  • Read the story about Schmidt's work on emotion and learning.
    
  • Download the presentation PDF.
    
  • View the webinar recording

• Effective and Efficient Teaching for Student Success

  

  February 4th, 2021

  Presenter: Emily Knox (iSchool)

  Teaching is a skill acquired over time, often through the development of tacit knowledge, and can be difficult to articulate. Emily will tease apart this process and describe a variety of techniques for making teaching more effective, and helping students be more successful.

  • Read the story on Knox's effective and efficient teaching strategies.
  • Download the presentation PDF.
  • View the webinar recording.

   

• An Exploration of Multi-Modal Assignments

  May 6th, 2021

  
  Presenter: Faculty Panel
  

  Senior Associate Director Robert Baird will moderate a panel discussion on using multi-modal assignments in teaching. See inspiring examples of faculty who successfully encouraged students to demonstrate content mastery through AR, graphic novels, games, portfolios, and other media.

  • Read the story on multimodal assignments
    
  • View the webinar recording.
    
  • Download the presentation PDF (Mussulman's slides).
    
  • Download the presentation links.

• Immersion and Engagement: Teaching through Games & Simulations

  December 3rd, 2020
  
  Presenters: Judith Pintar (iSchool) & Dan Steward (Sociology)
  

  Judith and Dan will discuss the ways they use games to enhance learning, including table top role-playing to teach about propaganda and media interference, and "Sociopoly" to teach about social inequality
  

  • Read the story on Pintar & Steward's use of play-based learning.
  • View the webinar recording.