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Home / December Monthly Update
Scholarly Teaching Seminar speaker Brie Tripp lectures in front of the audience

With less than two weeks left in the fall quarter, we at the TLC hope you’re looking forward to the much-needed holiday break. In the meantime, our latest Timely Teaching Resources provide strategies for integrating efficient feedback for final assessments and encouraging participation in the Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) surveys, which are now open for responses. Additionally, applications for the Tier 3 Catalyst and Tier 4 Transformation will open in the new year. Watch for future communications about these funding opportunities and the schedule of information sessions that will be held in January.

News

Classroom Pilot Project Modernizes Campus Learning Spaces

The collaboration between the TLC, Digital & Technology Solutions, and Facilities Management creates cutting-edge learning environments on campus that elevate teaching. Read the story

Executive Summary: Generative AI Use and Perspectives from the Class of 2025

The UCLA Class of 2025 Senior Survey introduced a new survey module that asked for student perspectives and concerns about GenAI. Questions ranged from students’ overall use of AI in coursework and other tasks, as well as perspectives on GenAI’s role in education. Read the executive summary

Students Examine AI’s Future in Education During DataX Hackathon

Interdisciplinary student groups considered how policy might guide AI’s development for the public good during DataX’s inaugural event. Read the Story

TLC Grants Program Offers Strategic Support for Instructional Innovation

The TLC awarded approximately $1 million during the 2024-2025 academic year for projects spanning AI, medical simulations, accessibility, and curricular mapping across disciplines. Read the Story

Book Review of dear elia: Letters from the Asian American Abyss

Brenda Wang’s, Ph.D candidate in English, examines this powerful work’s discussion of student experience, identity, and educator mental health. Read the review

Resources

Increasing SET Participation

This Timely Teaching Resource is designed to provide instructors and TAs with recommendations for how to communicate with students about the Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) surveys and encourage student feedback.

Efficient Feedback Strategies

This Timely Teaching Resource provides strategies and tools for integrating efficient feedback processes, including leveraging formative assessments, such as in-class polling, peer review, and self-assessment. 

Events

TA & Postdoc Drop-in Hours: Social Grading Edition

2–4 p.m., December 11 | Powell Library 190

Work through your end-of-quarter grading while enjoying refreshments and building community with your fellow TAs. TLC staff members from the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement (GSPSE) team will also be available to support you. Learn more

Designing Your Online Course Winter Workshop

January 23–February 20, 2026 | Zoom
Applications due December 17

The TLC’s Instructional Design and Media Production team will host a multi-session workshop exploring effective online instructional practices and course design strategies. The goal of the workshop is to develop a course that is grounded in best practices for online instruction that is accessible and welcoming to all learners.

The five-week workshop includes five synchronous sessions, asynchronous activities, and individual meetings with a dedicated instructional designer from the TLC. Instructors who complete the workshop and module are eligible for an award of up to $1000.

(View the tentative schedule) Complete the application

Email idmp@teaching.ucla.edu for more information.

Student Experiences of Teaching Weekly Drop-In Hours

Starting January 5, 2026 

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. 

Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. 

Instructors and Teaching Assistants

  • Mondays: 3-4 p.m.
  • Fridays: noon-1 p.m.

Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff

  • Tuesdays: 2-3 p.m.
  • Fridays: 9-10 a.m.

Join the Zoom Drop-In Hours

Developing an AI Course Policy

Noon–1 p.m., January 13 | Powell 190

3–4 p.m., January 21 | Zoom

These sessions are designed for faculty, including professors, lecturers, and adjunct instructors.

This workshop provides space for instructors to reflect on the impact of GenAI on their disciplines and professions. Participants will examine UCLA data on student GenAI use then discuss the pros and cons of its use in education. Afterwards, participants will draft a deliverable such as a syllabus statement, revised assignment prompt that integrates or speaks to GenAI, or a course communication plan for addressing GenAI. Register for the in-person or Zoom session.

Using Google NotebookLM as a Learning Tool

1–2 p.m., January 14 | Young Research Library 21570

The TLC’s Instructional Design and Media Production team will host the GenAI Tools Workshop Series to support instructors interested in thoughtfully exploring how to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in their teaching. The first workshop in the series will explore how to use Google NotebookLM — an AI-powered notebook platform designed to help users organize, synthesize, and generate insights — to support their class learning goals. Register here

Wellbeing: Trauma-Informed and Care-Centered Pedagogies

3–4p.m., January 22 | Powell 190

This session is open to all instructors, including faculty, TAs, and postdocs. 
This workshop examines neuroscience and psychology-based research to answer questions on how trauma impacts student learning. Participants will explore the principles of trauma-informed and care-centered pedagogy before practicing how to apply a trauma-informed approach. They will then identify care-centered and compassionate teaching practices to support all students’ learning. Learn more

Collegium of University Teaching Fellows Information Sessions

10–11 a.m., January 22 | Zoom 

Noon–1 p.m., January 28 | Zoom

These info sessions are open to interested graduate students and department staff.

Learn how doctoral students can apply to develop and teach a course based on their research through the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows program. Eligible graduate student fellows will receive tuition and fee remission during the quarter when they teach their course. Departments may nominate a single candidate by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.

RSVP for an Info Session to receive the Zoom link. 

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