The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) remains committed to meaningful, strategic investment in teaching and learning. In this moment of uncertainty, we hope to help UCLA’s instructional community continue to foster innovation and inclusive education.
Read on for more upcoming opportunities, resources, and other events from the TLC.
Tier 4 Educational Innovation Grants
Deadlines: May 16 (Track 1), May 23 (Track 2)
Our Educational Innovation Grants program now includes Tier 4 Transformation Grants. These are designed to support academic units in pursuing larger-scale educational innovations that promote student exploration, creativity, engagement, discovery, and success. Transformation grants provide funding to bring ideas to action (Track 1: Planning Grants) and execute new pedagogical and curricular reforms (Track 2: Implementation Grants). For more information, see the recent message from Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Erin Sanders O’Leary.
Learn More about Tier 4 Grants
Upcoming Deadlines
April 30–Departmental nomination deadline for 2025-2026 Collegium of University Teaching Fellows Cohort
April 30–Priority deadline for Immersive Media into the Classroom interest forms
May 2–Deadline for Senate Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award nominations
May 2–Deadline for Summer Institute for Impactful Teaching applications
May 16–Deadline for Tier 4 (Track 1) Transformation Grant Applications
May 23–Deadline for Tier 4 (Track 2) Transformation Grant Proposals
Instructor Wellbeing Initiative
Intro to Trauma-Informed Pedagogy
Noon–1 p.m., May 1 | Powell Library 190
This introductory workshop will examine the cognitive impact of trauma and explore the principles of trauma-informed pedagogy, a teaching approach that supports the learning of all students. Participants will apply a trauma-informed approach in case studies, and identify practices they may use in their courses to cultivate compassionate and effective learning environments.
Educational Innovation and Scholarly Teaching Seminar Series
Making the Most of Active Learning:
Why Teaching Expertise Matters and How it Develops
10–11 a.m., May 14 | Young Research Library Conference Room 11360
Tessa Andrews, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Genetics and the Director of the Scientists Engaged in Education Research center at the University of Georgia, will share findings from a suite of studies about the specialized teaching knowledge that college instructors rely on as they design and implement active-learning instruction in large classes. She will also share insights from a longitudinal study of teaching expertise development among early-career instructors.
Events
10 + 10 Pop-up Series
The TLC’s educational developers and designers offer a series of 10-minute pop-up sessions on course design, teaching, learning, and learning assessment topics — followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. Join us on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. during spring quarter. For more information and the schedule of topics, visit the 10 + 10 Pop-up Series page.
April 22 – Motivating Students with Growth Mindset Feedback
April 29 – How to Create Community Agreements
May 6 – How to Use Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) Data to Inform Your Teaching
Assessing Student Learning and Gathering Student Feedback Throughout the Quarter
Noon–1 p.m., April 22 | Powell Library 186
In this workshop, participants will explore low stakes assessment techniques they may implement throughout the quarter to gauge student understanding and to provide students with meaningful opportunities to reflect on their learning. We will also identify effective strategies for gathering and utilizing student feedback to inform teaching practices and foster inclusivity in the classroom.
Developing a Reflective Teaching Practice
11 a.m.–noon, April 23 | Powell Library 186
This workshop will discuss the benefits of reflective teaching practices on instructors’ professional development and on student learning. Participants will explore specific areas of their teaching for reflection and learn strategies to implement practical, iterative changes to their teaching practice.
TA/Postdoc Drop-in Hours
Consult with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Student Engagement (GSPSE) team on your teaching and pedagogy questions; build community with your fellow TAs.
5:30–6:30 p.m., April 23 | Zoom
2–4 p.m., May 8 | Powell 190
Instructor Drop-in Hours
Join the TLC staff for informal working sessions to receive support on course design, grading practices, and gathering mid-quarter student feedback.
2 p.m.–4 p.m., April 28 | Zoom
9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., May 1 | Zoom
Instructional Design Showcase
Beyond AI Basics: What Faculty Actually Need to Know
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., April 24 | Zoom
Instructors are struggling to keep up with AI’s rapid evolution—but there’s a reason why some are thriving while others are overwhelmed. This session will dig into real instructor experiences and the strategies that are actually making a difference.
Navigating Unexpected Conversations in Office Hours for TAs
Noon–1 p.m., April 30 | Zoom
Students may come to office hours with unexpected, complex, and/or overlapping academic and personal concerns. This workshop will explore strategies for approaching these unexpected conversations, covering methods for organizing office hours, for effective one-on-one communication, and for connecting students with appropriate support services. TAs will review case studies and will discuss strategies for navigating unpracticed moments. Participants will walk away with renewed confidence in hosting office hours and a list of campus resources they can share with students.
Learning Objectives and Backward Design
2–3 p.m., April 30 | Powell Library 190
In this workshop, participants will explore the benefits of backward design, a framework for designing courses to support student engagement and improve learning outcomes. Participants will then practice applying the framework by creating and workshopping a mini-lesson plan.
Beyond the Discussion Board:
Polling, Social Annotation, Forums, and Other Ways to Engage Students
Noon–1:30 p.m., May 6 | Young Research Library 21570
This hands-on workshop introduces instructors to additional evidence-based strategies and tools that extend class conversations beyond in-person instruction. Participants will learn how to foster student engagement and promote a greater sense of agency in students’ learning experiences.
How to Give Efficient and Effective Feedback for TAs and Postdocs
Noon–2 p.m., May 7 | Powell Library 190
Learn techniques for delivering feedback that encourages student growth and boosts motivation. For the first hour, participants will discuss how feedback impacts students’ mindset, motivation, and academic outcomes and will practice giving constructive feedback on assignments. The second hour is an optional hands-on session focused on using Bruin Learn tools to give feedback efficiently and effectively. This workshop is geared toward TAs and postdocs, but all instructors are welcome.
From our Campus Partners
Assignments and Grading for TAs
Hosted by Bruin Learn Center for Excellence
Noon–1 p.m., April 22 | Zoom | Register here
Accessible and Inclusive Data Visualization for Research Publication
Hosted by UCLA Library
11 a.m.–noon, April 25, | Zoom | Register here
Getting Started with Peer Review in Bruin Learn Using Peerceptiv
Hosted by Bruin Learn Center for Excellence
Noon–1 p.m., April 29 | Zoom | Register here
Intro to Accessible Research
Hosted by UCLA Library
11 a.m.–noon, May 9 | Zoom | Register here
Spring Cornerstone Research Workshop Series
Hosted by Undergraduate Research Center — Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the UCLA Library
Learn more about upcoming topics