Welcome to our April newsletter! As tree leaves burst into bloom and birds return from warmer climes, we hope you find time to read and enjoy this month’s newsletter, which includes updates and multiple ways of staying connected with the Teaching Academy.
This month, whether your semester is winding down or reaching a crescendo, now is a great time to connect with colleagues and expand your skills with spring and summer opportunities for professional learning. Bring a friend to the Academy’s Member+ event on Emerging Trends in Higher Education. Take your teaching anecdotes and challenges to the Terrace for a Teaching and Learning Meetup. Attend our partners’ events, with upcoming programming from the Language Institute, Delta Program, CTLM, and the Discussion Project. And…consider joining the Executive Committee of the Teaching Academy: build connections and help shape the events and programming that support the Academy’s mission to promote, recognize, and support excellence in teaching and learning!
Questions or comments about the newsletter? Contact Dan Pell & Sarah Pultorak, Editors editor-uwta-newsletter@g-groups.wisc.edu
Upcoming Events | What’s happening in the Academy?
Member+ Event: Emerging Changes in Teaching at UW-Madison
- Wed Apr 24, 230–330pm (online) | REGISTER
Join other Teaching Academy members and (and guests!) for a discussion about the top changes (challenges and issues) that you and your colleagues are facing today. How are they similar or different to what higher education trend-watchers have identified for 2024? (See: Emerging Trends in Higher Education). Let’s have a conversation about the most salient issues in campus teaching and learning today.
Teaching and Learning Meetups
- Open to all! First and Third Thursdays, 3-5pm at the Memorial Union in the Rathskeller or the Terrace(weather depending).
We’ll grab a table or two for informal conversations. Look for the “T&L Meetup” table tents. Come connect with other educators who are passionate about teaching and learning. Bring a question or comment you’d like to talk about, or just jump into conversation at hand. Food, coffee, and other beverages nearby. Contact John Martin johnmartin@wisc.edu if you plan to join us!
Teaching Academy Best Practices Showcase
- SAVE THE DATE! Thu, August 22 (details will be shared later)
Interested in hearing about unique assignments, ideas, active learning examples, teaching methods, or any other learning-by-doing activities that work well with students? Share, learn, and get ready for Fall at the Teaching Academy Best Practices Showcase! Invited presenters from the UW-Madison instructional community will share their teaching ideas followed by time for participants to try out or discuss each activity. Questions about the Best Practice Showcase? Contact Jamie Henke jamie.henke@wisc.edu
New members | Welcome to the Teaching Academy!
This month one new individual has been recognized for outstanding commitment to teaching and learning.
Fellow: Adeola Agoke, African Languages Program
Join us! Honor a colleague! | The Academy is seeking nominations
Now is the perfect time to honor a colleague or nominate yourself. Our mission is to promote, recognize and support excellence in teaching and learning among faculty, staff and students across campus and beyond. The Teaching Academy welcomes nominees who work in traditional classrooms, clinical practice, field instruction, or instructional support with learners at any level. There are three types of membership: Future Faculty Partner (FFP), Fellow, and Affiliate. Learn how to become a Member. Questions about membership? Are you an FFP who has moved on to another position in the University? Contact uwta-membership@g-groups.wisc.edu
Leadership Opportunity | Our Executive Committee Seeks New Members
The Executive Committee (“EC”) of the Teaching Academy is looking for Graduate Student (Future Faculty Partner), Academic Staff, and Faculty members. EC membership is evenly divided between Faculty, Future Faculty Partners and Academic Staff. Executive Committee members do not need to be long-term members of the Academy before joining the EC. The EC meets monthly. Take advantage of this opportunity to engage in leadership, networking, and collaboration with other active members of the Academy! Contact Ailea Merriam-Pigg (Grad Student Co-Chair) merriampigg@wisc.edu, John Martin (Academic Staff Co-Chair) johnmartin@wisc.edu or Adrian Treves (Interim Faculty Co-Chair) atreves@wisc.edu for more information.
Member FYI | News, Events, Training, and Learning Opportunities
Delta Program | Research Mentor Learning Communities
Summer registration is open to graduate students and postdocs! The Delta Program’s 5-week Research Mentor Learning Communities focus on becoming an effective and inclusive research mentor. 5-week on-line and in-person sections are available: mid-May and throughout the summer. | LEARN MORE & REGISTER. Questions about Delta Program? Contact Jules Whitaker jawhitak@wisc.edu
The Language Institute | Inclusive Pedagogy Workshop
Please join us for a workshop for secondary and post-secondary language educators, led by Heather Willis Allen, Department of French and Italian, UW-Madison, on Enacting Inclusive Pedagogy in Teaching Second Language Writing. Sat. June 1, 9–12pm, Old Madison Room, Memorial Union | LEARN MORE AND REGISTER. Questions about the Language Institute? Contact Dianna Murphy diannamurphy@wisc.edu
The Discussion Project | Sign up for Summer and Fall 2024
Registration is open for the Discussion Project for August 2024 (in person) and Fall 2024 (online). A free three-day in-person course, The Discussion Project supports UW-Madison instructors and leaders in designing and implementing high quality classroom discussion. Over 900 UW instructors have taken The Discussion Project from every school and college on campus. We hope you can join us! | VIEW INFORMATION & REGISTER Questions about the Discussion Project? Contact discussion-project@education.wisc.edu
Have something to share? Academy members work in diverse roles and learning environments across our university. If you have news, events, training, or opportunities you would like to share with the Academy, contact Dan Pell & Sarah Pultorak editor-uwta-newsletter@g-groups.wisc.edu Messages received by the second Monday of the month may be included in that month’s newsletter.
CTLM Updates | Engage with the Center for Teaching, Learning & Mentoring
Moving to More Authentic Assessments
On April 26, hear from two noted contributors to the Assessment for Learning movement, Professors Sally Brown and Kay Sambell. They’ll share strategies for systematically and efficiently designing assessments to promote learning and foster student engagement, belonging, and commitment. | LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Enhancing Online Education
CTLM is offering spring and summer programs supporting online and hybrid instructors. Instructors who complete five micro-courses will receive a certification and letter of recognition to their dean and chair. | LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Looking to reflect on your teaching? Want self-guided resources?
- Course Success Self-Review: In under an hour, this anonymous tool will help you identify ways to strengthen the design and delivery of your course and provide targeted feedback and resources. | LEARN MORE
- Instructional Resources KnowledgeBase (KB): Find resources that provide a quick introduction and concrete solutions to teaching challenges. | VIEW THE KB
If you’re not sure which of the above opportunities is right for you or you’re looking for a different kind of engagement or instructional support, please contact CTLM with your request – we look forward to working with you! To learn more about these programs or to register, visit the CTLM’s Professional Development Opportunities.
Feedback on Teaching | Want to be observed in your teaching?
The Teaching Academy’s Feedback on Teaching (FoT) program offers a formative review of your instructional approaches from an invited observer, followed by a peer-to-peer conversation on how to improve student learning. Want to observe? We are looking for Academy members to serve as peer observers. | REGISTER AS A PEER OBSERVER. Please contact teachingacademy@provost.wisc.edu if you are interested in volunteering.
Social Media Update | Join the Conversation!
Join (and post to) the Teaching in Higher Education public Facebook group. Questions about the Facebook group? Contact John Martin johnmartin@wisc.edu
Learning Community Update | Clinical Teachers’ Corner
Share your experience! Do you have ideas for continuing education? Would you be interested in presenting your work to other clinical teachers? The UW Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (UW ICEP) is looking for faculty who are interested in developing new continuing education programs.
New Course: Education Essentials is a collection of modules aimed at developing key skills for all interprofessional health science teachers, in various teaching settings. How modules are utilized is flexible–one or more modules to all of them–to meet the various needs of our teachers based on their activities, schedules, and priorities. Registration is free and modules can be completed at your own pace. | LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Explore:
Questions? Topics you would like to see? Announcements for the next issue? Contact Sara Scott sfscott@wisc.edu
Join us! Honor a colleague! | The Academy is seeking nominations
Now is the perfect time to honor a colleague or nominate yourself. Our mission is to promote, recognize and support excellence in teaching and learning among faculty, staff and students across campus and beyond. The Teaching Academy welcomes nominees who work in traditional classrooms, clinical practice, field instruction, or instructional support with learners at any level.
There are three types of membership: Future Faculty Partner (FFP), Fellow, and Affiliate.Learn how to become a Member.
Are you an FFP who has moved on to another position in the University? Contact teachingacademy@provost.wisc.edu to change status from FFP to Fellow.
Leadership Opportunity | The UWTA Executive Committee Seeks Members
The Executive Committee (EC) of the Teaching Academy is looking for Future Faculty Partner (FFP) members and Faculty members. EC membership is evenly divided between Faculty, Future Faculty Partners and Academic Staff. Executive Committee members do not need to be long-term members of the Academy before joining the EC. The EC meets monthly. FFPs: take advantage of this opportunity to engage in leadership, networking, and collaboration with other active members of the Academy! Contact Ailea Merriam-Pigg (FFP Co-Chair) merriampigg@wisc.edu, Adrian Treves (Interim Faculty co-chair) atreves@wisc.edu, or John Martin (Academic Staff Co-Chair) johnmartin@wisc.edu for more information.
Join a Committee
- Affiliate/Clinical Affiliate: Teaching experiential courses, from clinic to fieldwork? Become involved in growing the clinical affiliate or affiliate program. Contact teachingacademy@provost.wisc.edu
- Analytics Committee: Help ensure that we are capturing the right information to determine who the Academy’s programs are reaching, whether participants find them valuable, and most importantly, what was learned through participation. Contact teachingacademy@provost.wisc.edu
- Fall Retreat | Winter Retreat: Join the committee to plan, organize & facilitate campus-wide teaching development events. Contact retreats-uwta@g-groups.wisc.edu
- Feedback on Teaching (FoT) Committee: FoT offers an opportunity to participate in scaling up and implementing a new peer observation program across campus. Contact teachingacademy@provost.wisc.edu
- Member+ Events: We are seeking Fellows who are interested in organizing one-per-semester roundtable discussions among members on issues surrounding teaching & learning. Contact claire.barrett@wisc.edu
- Newsletter: Join the planning committee, contribute to the forum, act as guest editor for the Academy newsletter. Contact editor-uwta-newsletter@g-groups.wisc.edu
- Membership Committee: We are seeking Fellows (Faculty & Academic Staff) and FFPs to help review nominations. Honor great campus educators & promote excellence by helping to review nominations to the Teaching Academy. Contact johnmartin@wisc.edu
- U-Class: Explore teaching and learning from the student perspective by attending our U-CLaSS sessions. Contact jamie.henke@wisc.edu
- Teaching Academy Facebook Group: Are you on Facebook? So is the Teaching Academy! Join other Higher Ed teaching and learning enthusiasts for thought-provoking questions, shared resources, and asynchronous community connections. Contact johnmartin@wisc.edu