Teaching Workshops
If a group or department would like to request a repeat workshop on any of these topics, please contact the Teaching Center.
Spring 2025 Teaching Workshop Series
Teaching Center offers 1-hour workshops designed to provide instructors with practical strategies and ready-to-implement tools. Our Spring 2025 teaching workshops series is held on Zoom Thursdays from 11:00 am to 12 noon and Fridays 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Writing Course Learning Outcomes
Friday, January 31, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Effective learning outcomes are actionable, measurable and speak directly to the essential learning in a course. Learn how to write student learning outcomes that are challenging, achievable, and directly measurable using backward design principles.
Designing Exams that Measure Student Learning
Friday, February 7, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Exams are a widely used assessment type that is easy to administer and grade. However, writing a well-designed exam can be challenging. Learn evidence-based practices for designing effective exams that align with course learning outcomes, evaluate student learning, and are equitable and accessible for diverse learners.
Writing Effective Multiple-Choice Questions
Friday, February 21, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Multiple-choice questions effectively assess student learning because they are flexible, relatively easy to implement and grade, and capable of evaluating a range of skills and concepts. Learn best practices for writing and organizing multiple-choice questions so they are challenging, equitable, and accessible for diverse learners.
Instructor Spotlight - Deb Rossen-Knill, Professor and Executive Director, Writing, Speaking & Argument Program
Using Contract Grading Effectively
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Contract grading is a standards-based assessment tool that promotes open and clear instructor-student communication and student agency and autonomy in the learning process. Learn best practices and how contract grading is being used effectively at University of Rochester.
Teaching Effectively using Active Learning
Friday, March 21, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Active learning includes a wide range of instructional activities that engage students in learning, beyond listening, reading, and memorizing. Learn how to engage students in meaningful learning using active learning techniques and pedagogies that can be implemented in classes of any size or discipline.
Understanding Experiential Learning
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Experiential learning is the process of learning by doing whereby students gain knowledge and skills through direct experience and reflection. Learn how experiential learning works and what makes it an effective instructional tool as we explore how to apply Kolb’s learning cycle in and out of the classroom.
Experiential Learning in the Arts & Humanities
Friday, April 4, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Experiential learning involves engaging learners through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Learn how to design and implement the experiential learning process in arts and humanities courses.
Experiential Learning in the Social Sciences
Friday, April 18, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Experiential learning involves engaging learners through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Learn how to design and implement the experiential learning process in social science courses.
Experiential Learning in the Natural Sciences & Engineering
Thursday, April 24, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Experiential learning involves engaging learners through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Learn how to design and implement the experiential learning process in natural science and engineering courses.
Teaching Reflection – Spring 2025
Friday, May 2, 2025, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Reflecting on your teaching is an important part of being an effective instructor, and it is often challenging to find time to reflect amid the many demands at the end of the semester. Join your fellow instructors for an hour of guided reflection and sharing about the successes, surprises, and areas for improvement discovered during the Spring semester.