CTLE Events
CTLE hosts workshops and sessions, including annual and pop-up events, as faculty needs arise. For example, we regularly host our ‘Conversations About Inclusion’ and ‘Gen AI & Teaching & Learning’ series for faculty throughout the school year. Please see below for more information. If you have an idea for a session or workshop focused on an area of teaching and learning that you and others might like to see, please let us know! For a complete list of upcoming sessions and events from Faculty Affairs this semester, please see our Faculty Affairs events page.
Upcoming events
Start Strong: Launching Your Course in Canvas | August 10 | 11:00am - 12:15pm OR August 13 | 11:00am - 12:15pm | Both dates Virtual, via Zoom
If you’re new to Canvas— or if you’re looking for more efficient ways to set up your course— this session is for you! A well-organized course site can support student success. In this session, we’ll focus on setting up your course shell, organize content for clarity and flow, review communication tools, and create a site that helps students easily navigate your materials from day one. We’ll also highlight how intentional site design can support a smoother, more manageable teaching experience throughout the semester. | View the recording here >>
Life Cycle of Your Semester - Course Milestones and Tips for New Faculty | August 13 | 9:00-10:30am | Virtual, via Zoom
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 - Build-a-Bot: Create a Classroom Sidekick | August 28 | 10:00 - 11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom
Standard AI bots— AI assistants designed to perform a specific role or task— are useful, but they often lack the context needed to support specific teaching and learning goals. Enter Gemini Gems: Customizable versions of Gemini that can be tailored with specific instructions, tone, and expertise to serve as specialized assistants. In this interactive workshop, you'll move beyond basic prompting to learn how to create a Gem that acts as a personalized tutor, a debate partner, or a rubric wizard for your students. Along the way, you'll explore practical strategies for designing effective Gems and integrating them into your course. By the end of the session, you'll have built and tested your own functional Gem, ready to share with your class.
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Student Isolation: Loneliness in Large Courses - Research and Insights from a Faculty Learning Community | September 10 | 11:00am-12:15pm | Virtual, via Zoom
Large-enrollment courses can make it difficult for students to feel connected--to their peers, their instructor, and the course itself. Whether taught in-person or online, these environments often present challenges for fostering engagement and a sense of belonging. In this session, members of a recent VCU Faculty Learning Community will share insights from their exploration of student isolation in large-enrollment courses. Drawing on relevant research, student data, and classroom practice, they will discuss strategies to promote meaningful interaction and engagement, including team-based learning, technology-supported collaboration, and approaches to designing more engaging discussions. Participants will learn practical and adaptable ideas for creating more connected and supportive learning environments--for courses of any size.
Inquiry and Research in the Classroom: Building Student Experiences through Project-Based Learning | October 30 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Register Here
Research and scholarly inquiry don’t have to be confined to a traditional research paper or reserved for advanced courses. Research-Supportive Project-Based Learning (RS-PBL) offers a flexible way to build research into existing courses and assignments, helping students ask meaningful questions, investigate ideas, and apply their learning. Learn how to embed the foundational elements of research and scholarly inquiry directly into your existing course, in any discipline and at any level, using the RS-PBL framework! Project-based learning is proven effective as a form of experiential learning that fosters transferable skills and career readiness.
Accidental to Intentional: University Class-Based Research and IRB | November 13 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Register Here
Many instructors engage in practical inquiry to better understand teaching, learning, and student success. However, determining when a project requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and what steps should be taken before beginning a study can sometimes be confusing. This session will provide an overview of the university's IRB processes as they relate to university class-based research, scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), and other educational research projects. Panelists will discuss common considerations and provide guidance on how to plan projects that may involve students. Faculty will also have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of available resources and support.
Taking the Temperature of Gen AI at VCU: Perspectives (So Far) | November 20 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Register Here
How is the VCU community navigating the rise of Gen AI? Join us for a first look at findings from the university-wide survey of faculty, staff, and students. We'll explore current usage trends, prevailing attitudes, evolving skills, and areas where people want additional support. We'll discuss what these initial findings suggest for the future of teaching, learning, and working at VCU. In collaboration with VCU Technology Services
Past events
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Captioning and Title II: Making Smart Choices for Your Courses | January 30 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
Ensure course videos are accessible and Title II-ready — join us for a practical guide to VCU’s main captioning tools, from live captions in Zoom to editing automated transcripts in Kaltura. We'll focus on scenarios to help faculty confidently manage course videos, make smart captioning choices, and know when to request professional captioning support from additional VCU resources. | View the recording here >>
Lunch and Learn Workshop with Dr. Nancy Chick - Getting Started with SoTL: Making Your Classroom a Place of Scholarly Inquiry | February 4 | 12:30-2:30pm | James Branch Cabell Library, Lecture Hall - Room 303 | Registration closed
This interactive workshop introduces faculty to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) as practice for improving teaching and student learning through inquiry. You will explore ideas, ways of thinking, and approaches to deepen your understanding of your teaching and how students learn in your classroom. Through guided activities and discussion, you will craft meaningful questions and identify ways to connect SoTL with your teaching. Whether you are curious about why students struggle with particular concepts, are interested in testing new pedagogical strategies, or seek to engage in conversations with the broader teaching community in ways that contribute to the field, this workshop will provide you with concrete tools and strategies to begin your SoTL journey. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to embed scholarly inquiry into your teaching practice, and a preliminary plan for your own SoTL project. No prior experience with SoTL is required. All faculty are invited to attend. This event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Faculty Affairs and the CTLE.
RAMS WRITE, a March 14-Day Writing Challenge with NCFDD | March 2-15 | Registration closed February 22
RAMS WRITE is a VCU-exclusive NCFDD writing challenge is an opportunity for faculty to experiment with daily writing, online community, and supportive accountability. (If you've not already done so, please visit our NCFDD page for more information on how to activate your free membership)
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Tidying Up Your PDFs: Clearing the Path to Title II Compliance | March 3 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
Wondering whether the PDFs in your course are accessible and aligned with Title II requirements? This session will support faculty in reviewing course PDFs for accessibility, recognizing common barriers, and using practical tools and strategies to improve compliance. Participants will leave with clear, actionable steps for making course materials more accessible to all students. View the recording here >>
The Research Poster Pipeline: Design It. Print It. Share It. | March 20 | 11:00am-12:00pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
This workshop is designed for faculty who support undergraduate and graduate researchers, as well as those looking to strengthen their own skills in research communication and visual design. Participants will explore how to navigate and adapt poster templates, make informed decisions about size and resolution, and understand common printing requirements and campus printing resources. These skills can also translate directly to enhancing students’ classroom research presentations and other visual research outputs. The session will also introduce Adobe Express as a collaborative tool for research poster design, highlighting how shared editing and commenting can support mentorship, iteration, and feedback throughout the design process. View the recording here >>
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Accessibility in Action: Title II Law Round-Up + Faculty Q&A | March 27 | 11:00am-12:15pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
This interactive faculty Q&A session invites faculty to bring practical, course- and discipline-specific questions about Title II accessibility requirements. Discussion will focus on applying the standards to teaching materials, approaches, and contexts—particularly in cases where accessibility expectations may feel less straightforward. The session supports faculty in navigating areas of uncertainty and planning ahead for the April 2026 compliance deadline.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Laying the Groundwork: Creating a Gen AI Policy for Your Course Syllabus | April 10 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
Clearly communicating your expectations around generative AI use in your course(s) is more important than ever. This interactive workshop builds on prior conversations about Gen AI in teaching and learning, with a focus on developing syllabus policies that align with your instructional goals and course design. Faculty will work through examples and guided activities to create -- or refine -- Gen AI syllabus policy language that fits their courses and instructional priorities. By the end of the session, participants will have draft policies they can refine and use, along with strategies for clearly communicating expectations to students.
Conversations About Inclusion Series - From Color to Links: Hands-On Title II Accessibility Checks for Your Course | April 17 | 11:00am-12:30pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
Explore practical tools—such as web accessibility checkers, color contrast analyzers, and descriptive link practices—for making your course materials accessible and Title II–compliant. This session offers guidance on applying these strategies to PDFs, slides, and online content. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your accessibility practices, you’ll leave with clear, actionable steps to support inclusive teaching.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Beyond Academic Integrity: The Hidden Costs of Gen AI | April 24 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
As conversations about generative AI continue to evolve, questions are emerging that extend beyond classroom use and academic integrity. Going far beyond academic integrity issues, generative AI introduces significant tensions—including environmental, mental health, and ethical concerns—that warrant thoughtful consideration. This session provides faculty with an opportunity to explore these broader impacts, deepen their awareness, and discuss strategies for making informed decisions about AI use and communicating thoughtfully with students. View the recording here >>
Life Cycle of Your Semester: Course Milestones and Tips for New Faculty| August 14 |9:30-10:45am|Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
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. This session is specifically designed for new and adjunct faculty, although all faculty members seeking a quick review are welcome to attend.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - GenAI’s Impact on How Students Seek, Evaluate, and Use Information for Research | August 26 | 9:00-10:30am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
This session explores how generative AI is reshaping student research practices and provides library-supported strategies for navigating these shifts in the classroom. Presenters will give examples of using GenAI responsibly to advance learning and examples of steering students away from GenAI uses that hinder learning.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series - Crafting a Gen AI Use Policy for Your Syllabus| September 25 | 11:00am-12:15pm | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
With generative AI tools transforming how students approach assignments, it’s important for faculty to set clear expectations in their course syllabi. This session will help provide guidance to start crafting a Gen AI course policy that clearly communicates how these tools may be used— or restricted— in your course. You’ll learn strategies to promote academic integrity, address ethical concerns, and support transparent communication with students about AI’s role in their learning.
Speakers: Dayna Henry, Assistant Director of the Scholarship Area at the Center for Faculty Innovation, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University; Jess Taggart, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Virginia
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Turning the Page: Helping Students Reconnect with Reading | October 23 | 10:00-11:15am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
Research shows that university students are reading less than in past decades— posing new challenges for teaching and learning. As reading habits shift, faculty face the ongoing challenge of fostering meaningful engagement with course texts. This session provides colleagues' perspectives on these trends and offers actionable approaches to encourage deeper, more effective reading practices across diverse classrooms.
Conversations About Inclusion Series - Accessible by Design: A Title II Primer | November 19 | 9:30-10:45am | Virtual, via Zoom | Registration closed
New federal requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act will soon impact how digital content is created and shared in higher education. This session will provide faculty with a practical introduction to what the law requires and how it applies to your course materials. A panel of experts will offer a brief overview of the legal context, highlight key compliance expectations, and walk through examples of what constitutes accessible versus inaccessible content. Whether you're uploading PDFs, using videos, or designing presentations, this session will help you begin thinking about how to align your materials with the new standards ahead of the April 2026 compliance deadline. | View the recording here >>
CTLE Series Offerings
Conversations About Inclusion Series
This series provides an opportunity to hear about, and share, tips and strategies that help faculty continue engaging students in the classroom. Faculty-student interactions are constantly changing, perhaps now more than ever. With a heightened attention to differences embedded in privilege, our faculty are practicing more nuanced strategies to engage a highly diverse student body. 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). By being attentive to these varying lived experiences, faculty can gain understanding of how to better facilitate the learning experiences of students, and integrate our approaches in the classroom, to help students be successful.
Gen AI & Teaching & Learning Series
Starting in fall 2023, CTLE initiated a series on Gen AI & Teaching & Learning. This series serves as a valuable resource for faculty, focusing on the many possibilities and challenges presented by this technology, specifically as related to teaching. Past events in this series have included workshops to introduce faculty to Gen AI basics, implementing Gen AI in course design, discussions of ethics and integrity considerations, among others.