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UT Dallas Center for Teaching and Learning Newsletter
March 2025, Issue 24
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Spotlight on Innovative Teaching Strategies: Active Learning Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty can create dynamic, active learning experiences that transcend academic boundaries. A recent project at UT Dallas exemplifies this approach. Led by Dr. Siham Raboune, Dr. Katrina Rushing and Dr. Christine Veras, the collaboration united students from neuropharmacology, music theory and experimental animation to raise mental health awareness through short animations aimed at young adults on campus.
Music students composed original scores, animation students designed visuals and neuroscience students provided scientific insights. This collaboration served as both a creative and educational approach to exploring complex mental health topics and brain chemistry.
As mental health challenges continue to rise, this interdisciplinary initiative offered a timely and engaging way to communicate key information in an accessible format. The project allowed students to deepen their understanding of their own fields while working together to tackle an important issue.
View the short animations created by these students and their professors on the project website.
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Week of AI: Sessions To Focus on Teaching, Learning
UT Dallas will host its inaugural Week of AI from Friday, March 28 to Friday, April 4, a free, university-wide event designed to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping various fields while promoting responsible and ethical use. The event will bring together students, faculty, staff and industry professionals. Several sessions will focus on teaching and learning, covering topics such as AI’s impact on instructional methods, student engagement and academic integrity. A student-led panel also will address ethical considerations, including responsible AI governance. Visit the Week of AI website to explore the sessions and workshops.
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Grab and Go Tips: Effective Presentation Skills
“Pfake it until you make it.” That was one of the takeaways from Dr. Salena Brody, associate director of CTL, in her session on effective presentation skills. While it may sound like a simple phrase, it holds a lot of truth when it comes to polishing your public speaking. She shared four P’s designed to elevate your skills and feel more confident in front of an audience.
Persona
Before you step in front of an audience, think about the adjectives you want people to use when describing you after your presentation. This isn’t about creating an entirely new version of yourself — it’s about amplifying the aspects of your persona that allow you to put your best foot forward.
Prepare
Preparation is key, but it’s more than just knowing your content. Consider the factors that will shape your presentation: How much time will you have? What’s the size and makeup of your audience? What type of space will you be in, and what technology will you need? Each of these elements influences how you should plan your delivery. Remember that less is often more, so don’t overwhelm your audience with too much information.
Practice
As the saying goes, “Practice makes progress.” But beyond just running through your slides, try to manage your presentation without relying too heavily on notes. Focus especially on the first two slides, as they set the tone for everything that follows. The more comfortable you are with your content, the more fluid and natural your delivery will be.
Pivot
Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s where having a backup strategy can help. Keep something in your back pocket to energize and engage your audience if needed — a story, an activity, a question or even a callback to something earlier in the presentation. Being ready to pivot keeps your presentation dynamic and ensures you can maintain momentum, even when the unexpected happens.
With these tips in mind, you can approach your next presentation with confidence and clarity. Remember: It’s all about faking it until you make it — authentically, of course.
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Calendar
Monday, March 31
10 Ways To Use AI in Your Workflow, noon to 1 p.m., Microsoft Teams — Join this Week of AI webinar with Dr. Sarah Moore and Amanda Pritchard. Learn practical AI strategies to streamline tasks, enhance communication and optimize decision-making. Register for AI in Your Workflow
Teaching Large Classes Faculty Learning Community, 2 to 3 p.m., CTL Conference Room (MC 2.404) — Explore innovative teaching strategies for the new area-style classroom and large class settings, include active learning and improv techniques. This group, meeting three times this spring, offers networking, research sharing and practice sessions to develop effective teaching practices. Register for Teaching in the Round
Thursday, April 3
“I Can Maintain Eye Contact or Pay Attention, But Not Both At Once”: Understanding and Supporting Neurodiversity in Our Classrooms, 4 to 5 p.m., Microsoft Teams — This session will explore neurodiversity and neuro-inclusive teaching strategies, focusing on creating flexible, transparent and choice-driven learning experiences that will benefit all students, regardless of neurotype. Faculty, staff, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are invited to participate and learn practical approaches to foster inclusivity. Register for Neurodiversity in Our Classrooms
Friday, April 4
Student Secrets: Is AI Low-key Doing Our Homework? 2 to 3 p.m., CTL Conference Room (MC 2.404) — Join a student-led panel where UTD students discuss their experiences with AI in education and daily life, sharing their perspectives on essential skills for an AI-driven future and challenging faculty to adapt teaching and mentorship practices. Register for Student Secrets
Thursday, April 10
Generative AI Across the UT System UT System Mini-Conference Series, 1 to 2:15 p.m., Zoom — We invite faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students across the UT System to join this monthly webinar series that explores how each campus is integrating generative AI into teaching and learning. Register for Generative AI
Thursday, April 24
8th Annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center (DGA 1.102A-C) — Remarks by President Richard C. Benson at 4 p.m. Recognition of award winners will follow. Register for Celebration of Teaching Excellence
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