Professor pointing in front of studentsIllinois State University has many traditions. Wear Red on Friday, Festival ISU, and the Gamma Phi Circus are just a few.

At the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology, our Teaching Excellence workshops are a tradition that help spark discussion and knowledge about best teaching practices. If you have never experienced these workshops before, fall is a great time to start. Each of the strands features three different workshops that are designed with a common focus but are standalone.

The first strand talks about different strategies used to meet students’ diverse needs. The first workshop, Create an Inclusive Learning Environment, discusses how worldviews influence student attitudes and behaviors. The second workshop, Active Learning for Large Classes, focuses on how to actively engage your students in a large lecture class. The third and final workshops in this strand, Wrapping up the Semester, helps you reflect on the semester using strategies that help students retain the knowledge they have gained.

Create an Inclusive Learning Environment
Wednesday, September 16 • 2–3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September, 22 • 9:30–11 a.m. (repeat)
Facilitator: Angell Davis, University College

Active Learning for Large Classes
Tuesday, October 6 • 9:30–11 a.m.
Wednesday, October 14 • 2–3:30 p.m. (repeat)
Facilitator: Bill Shields, Department of Geography-Geology

Wrapping up the Semester
Monday, November 2 • 2–3:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 19 • 9:30–11 a.m. (repeat)
Facilitator: Dana Karraker, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology

The second strand talks about reflecting on and documenting teaching practices. The first workshops in this strand, Organize Your Teaching Portfolio, will help you decide which artifacts and to use them to reflect on your teaching practice to include in your teaching portfolio. The second workshop, Your Teaching Philosophy, will explore your core beliefs and how they shape your teaching philosophy, and how to articulate that to your students. The last workshop of this strand, The Teaching Development Plan, will help you identify short- and long-term goals for an effective plan.

Organize Your Teaching Portfolio
Thursday, October 1 • 2–3:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Nancy Latham, School of Teaching and Learning

Your Teaching Philosophy
Tuesday, October 20 • 2–3:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Claire Lamonica, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology

The Teaching Development Plan
Tuesday, November 3 • 2–3:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Julie-Ann McFann, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology

No registration is necessary for any of these workshops. Individuals who attend all three workshops of either strand will earn a certificate of completion to include in his/her teaching portfolio. Each workshop is held in the Resource Commons at the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology at 301 S. Main Street.

For more information, please contact Dana Karraker, faculty development coordinator, at (309) 438-5110. If you need special accommodation to fully participate in a CTLT event or service, please contact our front desk at (309) 438-2542.