Teaching & Learning Innovation (TLI) hosts several events throughout the academic year to provide professional development opportunities for all University of Tennessee faculty.
Calendar of Events, Fall 2024
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Description |
| New Faculty Teaching Institute | Wednesday, August 14
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Hodges Library | Whether you’re beginning your teaching career or are an experienced instructor, NFTI offers faculty new to UT the opportunity to explore effective approaches to their teaching, be introduced to campus partners that provide support related to teaching and learning, and build community with others as they launch their academic journey at UT. |
| Part-Time Faculty Orientation | Thursday, August 15 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm |
Zoom | This orientation offers part-time faculty new to UT an introduction to the resources, campus partners, and departments that provide support related to teaching and learning, and to build community with others in order to elevate and enhance your teaching practice. |
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Description |
| UT CIRTL F.U.E.L | Thursday, September 5
2:00 pm – 3:45 p.m. (EDT) |
Zoom | This 6-module seminar prepares graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to effectively teach at the undergraduate-level. Modules will introduce participants to evidence-based teaching strategies, learning communities, teaching as research, and learning through diversity. Readings, reflections, and group discussions will support participants in the creation lesson plans and teaching philosophy statements. Graduates will earn Associate-level Certification in the CIRTL network. |
| Making AI Work for You in the Classroom and Beyond: Learning Across the UT System – Learning Community
Session I |
Tuesday, September 10 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EDT) |
Zoom | This learning community series brings together faculty from across the UT system to share their experiences with AI in their academic work. Participants will have an opportunity to listen to different strategies, practices, and information about AI and reflect on how they might be able to use what they learned to positively impact teaching and learning in their context. |
| Crafting Civil Dialogue in the Classroom: Lessons from Current Scholarship and Practice |
Wednesday, September 18 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (EDT) |
Student Union, 360 | In this workshop, co-facilitated by Jake Buller-Young (English), the presenters will guide the participants through evidence-based / researched approaches to guiding students into having difficult conversations in a productive, empathetic, and civil manner. Participants will learn about current scholarly approaches to student dialogue, listening, and empathy, try them out in a practical demonstration, and design an action / lesson plan for implementing these techniques in their own classrooms. |
| Lifelong Learning Book Club: Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning |
Tuesday, September 24 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EDT) |
Zoom | This book club aims to promote a community of support for lifelong learning for teachers and students. All faculty, staff, and students are all welcome!
This fall 2024 semester, we will read Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson. (Chp. 1-4) |
| TLI Reads: Teaching with Extended Reality Technology |
Friday, September 27 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EDT) |
Zoom | In the September 27 session, we will be discussing an article by Amelia Perez and colleagues (2022) evaluating the use of virtual reality technology to facilitate education in conducting “difficult conversations” in nursing courses, or for anyone aiming to implement and study this technology in their own classroom. This article may be useful for anyone teaching courses where these kinds of difficult conversations may take place! |
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Description |
| Teardrops on my Assessments: Reframing Critical Thinking Skills in Higher Education | Wednesday, October 9
2:00 pm – 3:30 p.m. (EDT) |
Zoom | This transformative series is designed to equip higher education faculty and graduate students with innovative strategies to foster critical thinking skills among students. Dive into the latest pedagogical research and practical applications that challenge minds to question, analyze, and synthesize information beyond the classroom walls. Throughout this journey, faculty & graduate students will learn to effectively communicate the profound purpose of higher education: cultivating intellectual growth and preparing individuals for a complex world. Engage in dynamic discussions and reflective exercises that will not only inspire your teaching methodology but also affirm the life-changing impact you have on your students’ academic and professional futures.
*Mark your calendars for the second series session on November 20 from 2 pm – 3:30 pm (EST), titled,” ‘I Did Something Bad’ – But I Learned From It: Embracing Agency in Learning. |
| Lifelong Learning Book Club: Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning | Tuesday, October 15
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EDT) |
Zoom | This book club aims to promote a community of support for lifelong learning for teachers and students. So, faculty, staff, and students are all welcome!
This fall 2024 semester, we will read Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson. (Chp. 5-8) |
| Making AI Work for You in the Classroom and Beyond: Learning Across the UT System – Learning Community
Session II Fears & Fascinations: What Every Faculty Member Needs to Know about UT Students & GenAI |
Tuesday, October 15 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EDT) |
Zoom | This learning community series brings together faculty, staff, and graduate students from across the UT system to share their experiences with AI in their academic work. Participants will have an opportunity to listen to different strategies, practices, and information about AI and reflect on how they might use what they learned to positively impact teaching and learning in their context.
In this session, our presenters will share the results of their research on UT students’ use, concerns, and attitudes about Gen AI. We will then discuss how their findings influence our thinking and, ultimately, our practice related to AI. Presenters:
|
| Understanding Student Needs and Fostering a Supportive Classroom Culture |
Wednesday, October 16 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (EDT) |
Fred Brown Hall 146 B/C | In this engaging session, faculty will explore insights from the 2023 UT Climate Assessment project and hear from a panel of students who will share their personal experiences at UT. These narratives will shed light on the real-world challenges faced by diverse student populations and provide invaluable perspectives on fostering welcoming and supportive learning environments. By integrating assessment findings with student feedback, participants will walk away with a robust toolkit of best practices tailored to meet the unique needs of our student body. Don’t miss this chance to make a lasting impact on your teaching practice while contributing to a more equitable and supportive learning environment at The University of Tennessee! |
| SoTL Social |
Thursday, October 24 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EDT) |
Mary Greer Room ( Rm. 258) – Hodges Library | Take a break from a busy semester, and join us for an informal conversation and networking opportunity with other faculty and graduate students engaged in studying their teaching endeavors. This is an open-plan gathering, so feel free to join and leave as suits your schedule. Coffee and light snacks will be provided. |
| Graduate Teaching Support Network |
Thursday, October 24 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm (EDT) |
Zoom | This support network connects the faculty and staff who support the hundreds of graduate teaching assistants, associates, and postdocs involved in teaching (as well as those looking to teach in the future). The informal meeting includes sharing opportunities and resources that can benefit graduate teaching at UT. |
| TLI Reads: Teaching with Extended Reality Technology |
Tuesday, October 29 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EDT) |
Zoom |
In the October session, we will be discussing an article by Mark Newton and colleagues (2024) comparing how students respond to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in the context of climate science. This study explores what each of these approaches can do to facilitate experiential learning, and could be very handy for those interested in both kinds of technology, but unsure which would be the best fit for their course.
|
| How Gen Z Envisions Higher Education and Tech in a Post-Covid World |
Thursday, October 31 2 pm – 3:30 pm (EDT) |
Zoom |
After the global interruption of the last few years, Gen Z students’ expectations about the relationship between higher education and themselves have changed. This workshop will focus on these changes and what strategies and resources, especially when using technology in the online and in-person classroom, can meet the new normal in higher education. This workshop is jointly sponsored by OIT Support, Teaching & Learning Technologies, and Teaching and Learning Innovation.
|
| Event | Date & Time | Location | Description |
| STAN | Thursday, November 7
TBD |
TBD | TBD |
| Making AI Work for You in the Classroom and Beyond: Learning Across the UT System – Learning Community
Session III: Empower Your Classroom: Unleashing the Potential of UT Verse AI |
Tuesday, November 12 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EST) |
Zoom | In this session, you will be introduced to UT Verse, UT’s generative AI chat universe. Mark Greig, UT Verse’s Principal Architect, is the featured speaker. |
| Panel: Well-being and Inclusion for Neurodivergent Students: A panel/workshop | Wednesday, November 13
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (EST) |
Student Union, Room 229 | In this panel/workshop, TLI hosts a panel discussion with a broad selection of instructors and staff about the neurodivergent student experience and how instructors can better support these students in our classrooms. The panel will include a short explanation of neurodiversity and some of the most common neurotypes that show up in the classroom, an extended time of storytelling and dialogue about personal experiences, and a workshop time to allow participants to respond to the panel’s recommendations with creative and collaborative course work. |
| Teaching and Thinking with A.I. | Friday, November 15
1 pm – 2 pm (EST) |
Zoom | This practical session will help you discover what AI can do for you (grant applications, recommendation letters, and faster grading?) and how students already use it (sometimes to cheat). AI is already changing human working and thinking, and it will be vital to knowing which tasks are essential for humans to do (and for your students to learn). AI is also changing how we think about the average. If AI can produce consistent “C” work, we need to update our policies around grading. AI is also changing creativity, and we will experiment with how AI can help you create better assignments and classroom exercises and increase student engagement. Engage your students. Come learn how AI improves your workflow and teaching while giving you more time for the rest of your life. |
| International Education Week Experiences of International Faculty in Academia | TBD | Zoom | Join Teaching & Learning Innovation as we host an enlightening panel discussion featuring distinguished international scholars during the 2024 International Education Week, November 18-22 (Center for Global Engagement). The scholars will share their rich perspectives on their academic journeys and offer practical strategies to those who are navigating the landscape of academia. Students, faculty, and professionals are encouraged to attend the event for unique insights and applicable advice from esteemed international scholars. |
| Lifelong Learning Book Club: Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning | Tuesday, November 19
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EST) |
Zoom | This book club aims to promote a community of support for lifelong learning for teachers and students. So, faculty, staff, and students are all welcome!
This fall 2024 semester, we will read Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson. (Chp. 9-12) |
| TLI Reads: Teaching with Extended Reality Technology | Tuesday, November 19
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (EST) |
Zoom |
In the November session, we will discuss an article by Justin Pulley and colleagues (2024) examining instructors’ experiences implementing extended reality technologies in a school-based agricultural education program. This study explores the benefits and challenges that the technology introduced and could be very helpful for those interested in using the technology but uncertain about its advantages. It also provides an example of a study addressing instructor experiences for those interested in beginning similar studies.
|
| ‘I Did Something Bad’ – But I Learned From It: Embracing Agency in Learning | Wednesday, November 20
2 pm – 3:30 pm (EST) |
Zoom | This course equips faculty with the strategies necessary to nurture an environment that values independence, critical thinking, and perseverance. Participants will engage with innovative teaching methods that encourage learners to take initiative, set personal goals, and develop problem-solving skills. The curriculum is crafted to strengthen student resilience, enabling them to face academic hurdles with a positive outlook and the grit needed to overcome them. Through a series of interactive sessions, faculty members will explore how to construct supportive frameworks that motivate students toward self-directed learning. Together, we will work on shaping educational experiences that foster lifelong learning habits essential for success beyond the classroom walls. Join us in shaping the future of education by empowering your students with the skills they need to navigate their paths confidently and resiliently. |