Upcoming Teaching Workshops!

OPD supports graduate students and postdocs teaching right now and helps prepare them for careers as teachers in higher education.

Reflect and Refine Your Teaching
Tuesday, May 12th - 12:30-1:30pm (515 Goodell)
Just as we encourage our students to reflect, it's time for us to do the same! In this interactive workshop, we'll analyze what went well this semester and could have gone better. Together, we'll uncover insights to help refine your teaching strategies or update your syllabus. Set yourself up for success in the coming year – especially if you'll be teaching the same class again! This workshop is open to both TAs and instructors.

Syllabus Sequence 1: Content and Calendars
Thursday, June 4th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
Create a syllabus this summer! This week, we'll talk about choosing learning goals, topics, and readings and how to put it all into the class calendar. In this workshop, there will be an introduction of best practices and tips, time to work on your own syllabus, and then time for questions. Deciding on the course calendar can often take forever, so use this concentrated time to make some decisions! Come to today's workshop or join us at all four "Syllabus Sequence" workshops!
 
Syllabus Sequence 2: Motivating Students to Learn
Thursday, June 25th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
Create a syllabus this summer! How can we motivate our students to actually care about our class and demonstrate that care by doing the work (instead of relying on shortcuts like ChatGPT)? Drawing on neuroscience and educational research, we'll consider the role of activities and assignments in our courses. Come to today's workshop or join us at all four "Syllabus Sequence" workshops!
 
Syllabus Sequence 3: Fair Grading Practices
Thursday, July 16th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
Create a syllabus this summer! This week, we’ll discuss how to design assessments and grading practices that support the success of all students. Come to today's workshop or join us at all four "Syllabus Sequence" workshops!
 
Syllabus Sequence 4: Policies That Are More Empathetic and Less Bureaucratic
Thursday, August 6th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
Create a syllabus this summer! This week, we'll talk about choosing policies for late-work, AI and technology use, plagiarism, attendance, and so on. These policies not only impact your classroom climate, but the wording you choose can make an immediate impact on your students. Make sure you are making the right first impression with your syllabus!