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UT Dallas Center for Teaching and Learning Newsletter
October 2024, Issue 21
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Turning Course Materials into Published Resources – Faculty Only
Are you curious about how to transform your course materials into widely accessible resources? Whether you’ve considered publishing a textbook, creating open-access content or sharing lesson plans beyond your classroom, this upcoming panel discussion is for you. Join faculty from the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology; the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences; and the Naveen Jindal School of Management on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. as they share their experiences turning coursework into publishable media that is reaching students nationwide. RSVP for this faculty-only event.
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Call for Proposals: Instructional Improvement Awards
Applications are now being accepted for Instructional Improvement Awards (IIA) for 2024-2025. Faculty members are encouraged to submit their innovative ideas for enhancing teaching and learning on campus. The deadline is Dec. 15. These awards, typically under $7,500 each, support projects that innovate and improve instructional practices across disciplines. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to quality education at UT Dallas. Learn more about IIA.
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Grab and Go Tips: Guiding Students on Responsible AI Use
The new American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) student guide to artificial intelligence (AI) inspired a recent CTL workshop designed to help faculty direct students to use AI responsibly in their coursework. You can find the guide on the CTL Resource Site in eLearning. Here are three grab-and-go tips from the workshop that you can share with your students.
Be Original
The AAC&U guide emphasizes the importance of maintaining originality. While AI can help generate ideas or structure assignments, students must ensure their final work reflects their own thoughts and analysis. AI should enhance, not replace, the student’s creative process.
Give Credit
When AI tools are used, proper attribution is key. According to the guide, students should cite AI-generated content just as they would any other source. This not only maintains academic integrity but also helps avoid any confusion about the source of ideas.
Guard Your Privacy
The AAC&U guide advises students to be mindful of what they share with AI platforms. Personal or sensitive information should never be entered into these tools, as data security is not guaranteed. Encourage students to think critically about what they input.
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Learn About SWGs at Nov. 7 Information Session – Faculty Only
Are you a faculty member interested in applying for the Short-term Working Group program? Register now to attend a faculty-only information session at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. You’ll learn about the program, the proposal process, and how to develop a project that is mutually beneficial for you and your student cohort. SWG faculty span disciplines and develop goal-oriented, short-term projects for undergraduate students. CTL provides mentorship training, administrative support, student recruitment effort, and a faculty community for communication, collaboration and consultation. SWG faculty will be recognized at the annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence. View current and past SWG projects.
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VE/COIL Faculty Showcase Slated for Dec. 5
Each semester, CTL hosts a VE/COIL Faculty Showcase to highlight innovative collaborations between our faculty and students. The fall 2024 showcase will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 on Microsoft Teams. RSVP for the showcase.
This semester’s showcase will feature two new collaborations. One project, led by Jeff Price in the Bass School, connected UT Dallas students with peers from Universidad Anáhuac Puebla in Mexico to create virtual reality replicas of iconic historical sites in Puebla. Another project, directed by Dr. Muhammad T. Rahman in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, has students partnering with the National Polytechnic School of Algiers to use remote sensing and GIS technology to analyze the effects of climate change on Algerian cities.
Whether you’re familiar with VE/COIL or new to the concept, this showcase will provide insight into how these collaborations work and the real-world impact they have on student learning. Learn more about VE/COIL.
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CTL Calendar
Thursday, November 7
UTSADT & UTSFD Virtual 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 our monthly webinar series, Generative AI Across the UT System. This series will explore how each campus is integrating generative artificial intelligence into teaching and learning. Please register for Generative AI.
CTL Office Hours: “Why Learning Fails,” 4 to 5 p.m., Microsoft Teams — This workshop offers an overview of research on eight critical factors that contribute to learning difficulties, including memory processes, prior misconceptions, poor metacognitive skills and distractions. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies to address these challenges and discuss practical approaches for integrating them into their courses. The discussion will reference “Why Learning Fails (And What To Do About It)” by Alex Quigley, which is available in the Eugene McDermott Library. This session is designed to support faculty in refining their teaching practices and improving student outcomes. Please register by Nov. 6.
Tuesday, November 19
Teaching Philosophy Statement Workshop for Faculty Only, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., MC 2.404 — Documenting that you are an effective teacher is more difficult than demonstrating research expertise in terms of transparency and relevant indicators. This workshop suggests various indicators for how to document teaching effectiveness and provides guidelines for writing an excellent teaching philosophy statement. The workshop will aid faculty members who are being considered for teaching awards and promotion, and indeed for all faculty who undergo a yearly evaluation. Please register by Nov. 12.
Thursday, December 5
Faculty Holiday Social, 4 to 6 p.m., Northside Drafthouse — All UTD faculty are warmly invited to join us for a festive Faculty Holiday Social! Enjoy light refreshments and appetizers while supplies last. This event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and celebrate the season. Participation counts toward fulfilling the requirements for the Graduate and Postdoctoral Teaching Certificates. We look forward to celebrating with you! Please register by Dec. 2.
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