The new quarter brings new programs, resources, and opportunities to help instructors innovate and elevate teaching. We’ve partnered with the School of Theater, Film, and Television (TFT) to launch a pilot program to incorporate immersive media into virtual course content. Additionally, in collaboration with UCLA’s Center for Education Innovation and Learning in the Sciences (CEILS), we will host the UCLA Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Teaching, running July 14-17. Applications are now open.
Keep reading to learn more about upcoming opportunities, application deadlines, new resources, and other events from the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center (TLC).
TFT Immersive Media into the Classroom Initiative
Interest forms due April 18 for priority review
This summer, the TLC and TFT are supporting a limited number of UCLA instructors to develop innovative instructional media using a virtual production environment. This course development opportunity is ideal for instructors who are interested in creating virtual learning experiences with computer-generated 3D models to integrate research, field experiences, and creative scholarship into their courses.
Learn more about the pilot program
Upcoming Deadlines
April 4 – Deadline for Tier 3 Catalyst Grant Proposals
April 4 – Deadline for Teaching Assistant and Non-Senate Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award nominations
April 18 – Deadline for Immersive Media into the Classroom interest forms
April 30 – Deadline for Collegium of University Teaching Fellows nominations
Events
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.
Noon – 2 p.m., April 3 | Zoom
2 p.m. – 4 p.m., April 28 | Zoom
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 website page.
April 8 – Increasing Access in Reading Assignments
April 15 – Navigating Unexpected Conversations in Office Hours: Breaking It Down
Instructional Design Showcase
Beyond AI Basics: What Faculty Actually Need to Know
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., April 10 | Zoom
Faculty 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 faculty experiences and the strategies that are actually making a difference.
TA/Postdoc Drop-In Hours—Wellbeing Edition!
2 p.m. – 4 p.m., April 10 | Powell Library 190
Join us for wellbeing-themed drop-in hours in honor of Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week. Consult with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Student Engagement (GSPSE) team on your teaching and pedagogy questions; build community with fellow TAs; and enjoy snacks and a wellbeing activity.
Designing and Using Rubrics: Why and How
Noon – 1 p.m., April 15 | Powell Library 186
This workshop will delve into how participants can design rubrics that align with course learning outcomes and clearly communicate course expectations to all students. Attendees will also explore different types of rubrics as well as strategies for engaging students to ensure that assessments are meaningful, relevant, and responsive.
Enhancing Student Engagement with Online Polling
Noon – 2 p.m., April 17 | Powell Library 190
Discover how to leverage iClicker and Google Forms—UCLA-approved technologies—to make classes more interactive. Learn practical strategies to spark conversations, increase student engagement, and elevate discussions using these tools in your labs and sections! This event includes an optional hands-on session from 1 – 2 p.m. to practice using the tools, explore their features, or work with TLC staff to set them up for a course.
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 that they can implement to gauge student understanding and to provide students with reflection opportunities. They will also identify effective strategies for gathering and using student feedback to inform teaching practices and foster an engaging classroom.
Assisting Distressed and Distressing Students
2 p.m. – 3 p.m., April 21 | Zoom
Chelsea Cervantes (Case Management Services) will present about how to identify students in need of assistance; what resources are available to students; how to approach students in distress and assist them in getting connected with resources; emergency procedures; and how to reach professional staff for consultation regarding distressed or distressing students. This training was co-created by CAPS/RISE and Case Management Services. All instructors, TAs, postdocs, and instructional support staff are welcome to attend.
Assignments & Grading with Bruin Learn for TAs
Noon – 1 p.m., April 22 | Zoom
co-sponsored by the TLC and Bruin Learn Center of Excellence (CoE)
Enhance your teaching skills and streamline your grading in Bruin Learn. This session is designed primarily for TAs and will cover creating and grading assignments and discussions, navigating the Gradebook, and providing student extensions and accommodations.
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 student learning. Participants will learn how to gather constructive student feedback to inform their teaching, and will learn strategies to implement practical, iterative changes in their teaching practice. It will end by brainstorming strategies to encourage ongoing reflection.
TA/Postdoc Drop-In Hours
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., April 23 | Zoom
Join us for 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.
Resources
The TLC’s newest Assessment Quick Guide provides information to assist department administrators in effectively interpreting data derived from Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) surveys. This guide, a guide for instructors, and more information about SET surveys can be found on the TLC SET webpage.
From our Campus Partners
Bruin Learn Training and Support
Provided by Humanities Technology
Support available through Zoom
Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week
April 7-11
Hosted by Graduate Student Resource Center
Well-Being Community Forum: Fostering Community in the Workplace
Noon – 1 p.m., April 14 | Zoom
Presented by the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center and Staff Assembly