CTLE Events
See below for upcoming and past CTLE events.
Upcoming events
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Fair Images: Creating and Recognizing Bias in Gen AI Imagery | Wednesday, September 18 | 10:00-11:15am
This session focuses on the inherent visual bias in text-to-image Gen AI generation. Participants will learn how to recognize these biases and use AI-generated images as an effective tool to illustrate and discuss bias with students. The session aims to equip educators with the knowledge and strategies to both create fairer images and teach about bias in AI.
Oscar Keyes, Multimedia Teaching & Learning Librarian, VCU Libraries, Creative Technologies and Scholarship Department; TyRuben Ellingson, Associate Professor, Communication Arts, Cinema Program, VCUarts; Shraddha Mainali, Associate Professor, Neurointensivist, Neurology, VCU Health
Fostering Critical Thinking in These Challenging Times: Engaging Multiple Perspectives and Dialogue | Monday, October 7 | 12:00-1:15pm
In an environment where geopolitical conflicts and national elections fuel uncertainty and polarized perspectives, the need for critical thinking in higher education has never been more important. This session invites faculty to explore how to cultivate critical thinking in the classroom, while ensuring a space where diverse perspectives are welcome, open dialogue is promoted, and everyone feels safe and supported. Panelists and participants will explore ways in which to balance open dialogue with respectful analysis, along with strategies to foster deeper reflection without imposing singular perspectives. Best practices will be offered regarding the use of readings, discussion formats, experiential learning, and other techniques that empower both faculty and students to develop independent thought in the times of crisis. | Register Here
Panelists TBA
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Harnessing Humor: Inclusive Approaches for Increasing Engagement | Wednesday, October 16 | 10:00-11:15am
Humor in the classroom can positively impact student engagement and learning outcomes, but incorporating it effectively is not always straightforward. This session will explore the role of humor in fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment, and provide practical strategies for integrating it in respectful and inclusive ways. Discover practical approaches to create a more connected classroom experience. | Register Here
Panelists TBA
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Topic TBD | Thursday, November 7 | 10:00-11:15am
Details to come.
Past events
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Session #4: Using Gen AI in the Classroom-- Ethics and Integrity Considerations | Wednesday, April 24 | 12:00-1:15pm
Gen AI provides unique and valuable opportunities for use in the classroom, yet various concerns arise when we consider integrating it into our courses. Join us to explore suggestions for best practices and navigate the complexities of Gen AI, to ensure responsible and ethical use of this innovative technology in the classroom.
Jonathan Becker, Associate Professor, Concentration and Online Coordinator, Educational Leadership; Rocky Carmine, Assistant Director, Strategic Partnerships and Outreach, Student Conduct & Academic Integrity; Peter Aiken, Associate Professor, Information Systems, School of Business; Hope Kelly, Online Learning Librarian, VCU Libraries
Conversations About Inclusion Series Session #4: Culture of Care-- Empathy and Support for Faculty in the Classroom | Monday, April 8 | 12:00-1:15pm
While we are dedicated to fostering empathy for students in the classroom, faculty often neglect the equally crucial aspect of their own well-being. This session explores pressing questions, including: Where are faculty’s biggest stressors in the classroom environment, and how can we meaningfully address these challenges? Explore this nuanced topic with us, and discover options for creating a supportive and nurturing classroom environment for faculty.
Maria Rivera, President, Faculty Senate, Professor, Department of Biology, College of Humanities and Sciences; Jennifer Puetzer, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series Session #3: A Visit with Alchemy -- Using Gen AI to Empower Your Course Design | Monday, March 18, 2024 | 12:00- 1:15pm
Join us as we welcome Alchemy-- an innovative organization dedicated to empowering educators in designing high-impact curriculum with assistance from Gen AI. A series of insightful demonstrations, featuring practical exercises and techniques, will inspire your own use of Gen AI when shaping your courses. If you’ve been eager to discover ways that Gen AI can optimize your own teaching experience, this is the perfect opportunity to start! | View the slide deck >>
Alchemy: Brett Christie, VP, Educational Innovation & Inclusivity
Conversations About Inclusion Series Session #3: Revising Pedagogy -- Its Vital Role in the Classroom | Monday, February 12, 2024 | 12:00- 1:15pm
While ‘pedagogy’ is a term frequently embedded in academic discussions on teaching and learning, a reassessment of its meaning and utility would be helpful for us all-- especially considering a landscape where fostering inclusivity is crucial. Join your colleagues as our panelists provide insightful perspectives and discuss ways to purposefully integrate inclusive pedagogy into various aspects of your curriculum. A deeper understanding of these approaches can cultivate more impactful teaching experiences, for both you and your students!
Renee Lamb, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design and Merchandising; Stephanie Odera, Director, B.S.W. Program, Associate Professor, School of Social Work; Mychal Smith, IMSD Graduate Program Director, Assistant Professor, Chemistry, College of Humanities and Science; Austin Ezzard, Student, School of Social Work
Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and is quickly becoming an integral part of the academic landscape in universities. Amidst the many potential benefits and challenges associated with Gen AI, the first step is becoming familiar with what this technology actually is. During this session, faculty will be introduced to Gen AI fundamentals-- including key concepts, familiarization with common tools, and building a comfort level by experimenting with readily available Gen AI platforms. This session is a foundational step in creating your Gen AI literacy.
Oscar Keyes, Multimedia Teaching & Learning Librarian, VCU Libraries, Creative Technologies and Scholarship Department; TyRuben Ellingson, Associate Professor, Communication Arts, Cinema Program, VCUarts,; Shraddha Mainali, Associate Professor, Neurointensivist, Department of Neurology
Teaching & Learning: Semester Lifecycle Workshop | Thursday, January 11, 2024 | 9:00-10:30am
This session is specifically designed for new and adjunct faculty, although all faculty members seeking a quick review are welcome to attend! Prepare yourself to effectively manage crucial timeline milestones throughout the semester by participating in this workshop. We will provide you with an overview of important details that can help your course go more smoothly. The workshop will cover key considerations for the pre-, early-, mid-, and end of the semester phases.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series Session #1 (Volume 1): Getting to Know Gen AI - A Primer of the Basics as a Hands-On Workshop | Monday, December 4, 2023 | 12:00-1:15pm
Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and is quickly becoming an integral part of the academic landscape in universities. Amidst the many potential benefits and challenges associated with Gen AI, the first step is becoming familiar with what this technology actually is. During this session, faculty will be introduced to Gen AI fundamentals-- including key concepts, familiarization with common tools, and building a comfort level by experimenting with readily available Gen AI platforms. This session is a foundational step in creating your Gen AI literacy. You are encouraged to bring your laptops to the session. | View the slide deck >>
TyRuben Ellingson, Communication Arts Director, Cinema Program Sr. Director, Narrative Media Group; Oscar Keyes, Multimedia Teaching & Learning Librarian Innovative Media; Shraddha Mainali, Associate Professor of Neurology Director, Clinical Research for Stroke and Neurocritical Care; Victoria Yoon, Information Systems Co-Editor-in-Chief, Decision Support Systems
Conversations About Inclusion Series Session #2: Strategies for Enabling Inclusion in the Classroom: Being Mindful of Race, Ability, Class and Gender | Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | 12:00- 1:15pm
The Conversations About Inclusion Series provides a space for faculty to think deeply and innovatively about interactions with students whose lived experiences vary based on a wide range of ‘differences’ (first gen, region of residence, socioeconomic factors, race, gender, and body ability among many others). Enabling student engagement in the classroom requires knowledge about many ‘differences’, including privilege. This session focused on strategies to build an inclusive classroom. The following topics were addressed: How can we engage students in a classroom by being mindful of differences, including learning abilities? How can we minimize assumptions about students and include diverse experiences and perspectives?
RaJade (Jade) Berry-James, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Public Affairs; Charlene Crawley, Director of Interdisciplinary Science Program, Associate Professor, Chemistry; Dina Garcia, Assistant Professor, Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health; Shasmeen Ashar, Student, Bioinformatics; Lexi Dortch, Student, Chemistry
Discussion of Draft Tool: Gen AI and Teaching and Learning | Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 3:00- 4:15pm
VCU, like many other universities, has strategically been engaging faculty in conversations around emerging technologies, in order to prepare them to use and introduce generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the classroom. Without fear, censorship, or bans, the university aspires to be a collective source of curiosity. One reason the new technology seems to be in every university conversation is that generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has the ability to benefit teaching and learning in various ways, while also creating challenges for instructors in the classroom. For instance, Gen AI can create unique pieces of text, art, code, and video with increasing levels of sophistication. At the same time, these creations cannot be readily identified by typical plagiarism detection tools. This session focused on a discussion of the Tool to generate insights into additional needs identified by faculty.
Conversations on Inclusion Series Session #1: Tips for Engaging Students Across Teaching Modes | Thursday, September 7, 2023 | 12:00- 1:15pm
The Conversations About Inclusion Series provides a space for faculty to think deeply and innovatively about interactions with students whose lived experiences vary based on a wide range of ‘differences’ (first gen, region of residence, socioeconomic factors, race, gender, and body ability among many others).
Maurice Brown, Term Faculty, Business Essentials, School of Business; Gina Longo, Assistant Professor, Sociology, Co-Founder of Digital Sociology Lab; Judith Kornberg, Interim Executive Director, VCU Online; Joyce Loyd, Associate Dean, Graduate School, Professor, Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine