Special Events


WORKSHOPS

Each semester, CITL offers workshops, special programs, and reading groups. Open to faculty and teaching assistants, many of these events count toward meeting the requirements of our teaching certificates. For information about an event, please check the CITL Calendar.

Gen AI Workshops & Sessions

The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (CITL) is hosts the Summer of AI and Fall Into AI series at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Throughout this each series faculty and staff have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, guest talks, and conversations on how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts the future of education and beyond.

PRE-SEMESTER TA TRAINING

Two campus-wide, pre-semester orientation programs for new Teaching Assistants (TAs) are held each August and January. Departments register their TAs for these programs; individual TAs cannot register themselves.

  • The Graduate Academy for College Teaching prepares TAs for classroom teaching responsibilities (lecture, discussion, laboratory, or studio) by engaging them in interactive sessions about teaching strategies and resources. The program is designed as a conference with choices of sessions on foundational teaching topics, discipline-based teaching topics and language, culture, and diversity topics. Microteaching sessions provide TAs with a safe and constructive environment to practice their teaching skills.
  • The Symposium on Grading & Office Hours is for those TAs who have non-classroom responsibilities. In large and small group sessions, TAs learn about effective and fair grading techniques and how to use office hours as an opportunity for good teaching and learning.

CONFERENCES

At CITL, we believe in the power of community to inspire and transform education. Our faculty events provide unique opportunities for educators to connect, share ideas, and explore the future of teaching and learning. Whether you’re looking to dive into the latest pedagogical innovations, explore cutting-edge technologies, or build meaningful partnerships, our events offer a place for growth, collaboration, and inspiration. CITL employees help to organize several annual conferences targeted to instructional staff and faculty:

Annual Faculty Retreat

The Annual Faculty Retreat is a gathering designed to bring together faculty from across the university to share innovative ideas, reflect on teaching practices, and explore new approaches to enhance student learning. At this retreat, we aim to:

  • Build on our collective knowledge and experience.
  • Share groundbreaking ideas and strategies that support student success.
  • Develop and promote partnerships within and beyond the campus community.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to enhance your courses or hoping to connect with like-minded colleagues, the Annual Faculty Retreat is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your teaching and explore new ways to engage students. Check out the 2024 Annual Faculty Retreat.

Key Highlights:

  • Interactive sessions with teaching experts and innovators.
  • Collaborative discussions and hands-on workshops.
  • Networking opportunities with faculty from various disciplines.
Reimagining the Classroom Symposium

The Reimagining the Classroom Symposium is an exciting event that explores the evolving relationship between physical classrooms, teaching methods, and emerging technologies. As we strive to create transformative learning experiences for our students, this symposium supports the university’s Strategic 150 goal by helping educators rethink how we design learning spaces to enhance student engagement and success.

At this symposium, you’ll have the chance to:

  • Explore how the physical design of classrooms can impact learning outcomes.
  • Learn about the latest technologies and teaching strategies that are reshaping modern classrooms.
  • Engage in discussions about the future of teaching and how to create more flexible, student-centered learning environments.

What You’ll Experience:

  • Thought-provoking presentations on the future of teaching and classroom design.
  • Discussions on how to create learning spaces that support diverse teaching styles.
  • Opportunities to see how emerging technologies can transform the way we teach.
Lincoln Legacy Teaching & Learning Conference (LLTLC)

Lincoln Legacy Teaching & Learning Conference (LLTLC). Formerly known as the Faculty Summer Institute (FSI), the Lincoln Legacy Teaching and Learning Community (LLTLC) is a long-standing tradition of excellence in education. Each May, educators and instructional technology professionals from across Illinois and beyond gather at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to explore innovative teaching practices and the smart use of educational technologies.

For over 25 years, this event has been a hub of inspiration, offering participants the chance to:

  • Discover new pedagogies and technologies that can transform student learning.
  • Engage in hands-on workshops and practical training.
  • Connect with a vibrant community of educators passionate about advancing teaching excellence.

Join us as we continue this legacy, fostering a friendly, supportive environment where educators can learn, share, and grow together.

Why Attend?

  • Learn from thought leaders in teaching and educational technology.
  • Participate in hands-on, practical training that you can implement right away.
  • Be part of a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of teaching and learning.