UT Dallas Center for Teaching and Learning Newsletter

January 2025, Issue 22

In February, the series will feature our own Provost Teaching Fellow Dr. Sarah Moore and CTL Associate Director Dr. Carol Cirulli Lanham presenting on AI policy at UT Dallas. Later in the month, Moore will return to share real-world faculty use cases for generative AI in the classroom.

With so much focus on technology, we cannot forget the human element. Alongside these advancements, February also will highlight the importance of digital accessibility. Ensuring equitable access to digital resources is critical in today’s learning environment, and we’ll provide two workshops and resources to help you create more inclusive courses.

This commitment to inclusivity is also reflected in our annual all-campus workshop on Friday, Feb. 21, which will center on making connections. Presentations will explore strategies to help students connect coursework to purpose, foster relationships with instructors, build a sense of belonging, and make meaningful connections beyond the classroom.

I encourage you to take advantage of our resources, workshops, and opportunities designed to support your teaching and well-being. Together, we can create a transformative learning environment for our students and a vibrant academic community for ourselves.

Digital Learning Summit Watch Party

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is hosting its third annual Digital Learning Summit in February, and you are invited to participate along with your colleagues. CTL is planning a watch party for the closing keynote by Dr. C. Edward Watson, vice president for digital innovation at American Association of Colleges and Universities. Watson is the co-author of a CTL Book Club selection Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning. The book, written with Dr. José Antonio Bowen, provides guidance for navigating the evolving landscape of AI in education, with an emphasis on ethical considerations and human-centered approaches.

CTL Conference Room Available for Teaching & Learning Events

The CTL Conference Room (MC 2.404) is now open for teaching and learning related events during regular business hours. Faculty or staff involved in Short-Term Working Groups, book clubs and other CTL-sponsored initiatives are welcome to use the space when needed. To reserve the conference room, please email CTL@utdallas.edu.

CTL Calendar

Thursday, Jan.30  
Documenting Evidence of Effective Teaching: Developing Your Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Teaching Portfolio, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45p.m., CTL Conference Room (MC 2.404) — This workshop will introduce participants to the statement of teaching philosophy and its place in the teaching portfolio. Register to attend.

 

Thursday, Feb. 6  
Future-Ready Graduates: Faculty’s Role in Career Preparation, 4 to 5 p.m., Microsoft Teams — This session will explore the critical role faculty play in preparing students for future careers, highlighting innovative teaching methods and career-oriented curriculum design. Register by Feb. 5.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 12  
Accessibility: Law, Not Luxury, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Microsoft Teams — This Webinar Wednesday session will focus on the critical impact and reasons for ensuring that our content is accessible and inclusive for all students. Register by Feb. 11.

 

Watch Party: Embracing AI as Essential Learning, 3:15 to 5 p.m., CTL Conference Room (MC 2.404) — Dr. C. Edward Watson will detail the challenges and opportunities that have emerged for higher education, especially in terms of pedagogical practice and student learning. Watson will share concrete approaches and strategies higher education can adopt to best prepare students for the life that awaits them after graduation. UTD faculty, staff and students will watch in person as we livestream his keynote at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Digital Learning Summit. Stay for a discussion about the keynote. Register by Feb. 7.

 

Thursday, Feb. 13
UT System Mini-Conference Series Generative AI Across the UT System, 1 to 2:15 p.m., Zoom — Join the monthly webinar series exploring how each campus is integrating generative AI into teaching and learning. CTL Associate Director Dr. Carol Cirulli Lanham and Provost’s Teaching Fellow Dr. Sarah Moore will share how UT Dallas’ unique focus on AI policy, values-driven education and faculty support fosters academic integrity and student engagement. This session will include practical examples, insights from faculty workshops and interactive discussions. Register to attend.

 

Thursday, Feb. 20
Digital Accessibility Awareness Session, noon to 2 p.m., Microsoft Teams — Faculty, staff, postdocs and grad students are invited to join this webinar presented by the College Board. This session is intended to raise awareness about digital accessibility, help you understand legal requirements under U.S. law (including the Department of Justice’s updated guidance under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act), mitigate risks and apply best practices for creating accessible content in higher education. Register by Feb. 17.

 

Friday, Feb. 21
9th Annual All Campus Mini-Conference, 8:30 a.m. to noon, McDermott Suite (MC 4.404) — UT Dallas faculty will share their successes in developing innovative teaching strategies related to an overall theme of making connections. Register by Feb. 14.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 26
Letters of Recommendation Workshop, 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. , CTL Conference Room (MC 2.404) — CTL invites you to attend this interactive workshop on improving your recommendation letter writing skills. We will explore how to gather detailed information to craft strong recommendation letters, discuss when to accept or decline requests, and share strategies for streamlining the process. Register before Feb. 20.

 

The University of Texas at Dallas

800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, Texas 75080-3021
972-883-2111

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