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Summer Update

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Whether you’re teaching during summer session or taking some time away from the classroom, this season offers an opportunity to reflect on the past academic year and plan for future instruction. Mark your calendars for our teaching development events coming up later this summer to explore new pedagogical approaches and connect with fellow instructors. Also, check out our Preparing to Teach resources for best practices and ideas on how to start planning for your next course.

Read on for more resources and updates from the TLC!

Instructional Design Showcase

10–11 a.m., June 26 | Zoom 

A team of instructors from UCLA Library will share their experience hosting a biannual Summer Information Literacy Institute for faculty, teaching assistants, and other instructors at UCLA. Presenters will share how they supported Institute participants in incorporating information literacy principles and pedagogical approaches into their courses and assignments. Learn more

Resources

Assessment 

Data collected in recent Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) surveys can provide helpful information for developing future classes. The TLC Assessment Guides for Instructors and Departments provide suggestions for interpreting the data and encouraging student engagement.

Leveraging Self-Reflection to Improve your Teaching 

Summer is a good time to think about your instructional practices and beliefs as an educator. This teaching guide provides an overview of a data-informed process you can use to engage in targeted reflection that enhances your instruction.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives lay out the knowledge and skills that students will acquire during a course. As you begin planning for next quarter, this teaching resource offers an overview of how to craft learning objectives to clearly define the classroom experiences that are critical for student success.

Syllabus Guidelines 

Starting to consider the structure of your next course? This teaching resource provides guidance on creating a syllabus to convey important course information and to establish a respectful, collaborative classroom environment that supports student learning.

Rubrics: What They Are and How to Use Them

When you begin planning for summer sessions and future courses, this new teaching resource outlines the uses and benefits of different rubrics and includes recommendations for conducting a rubric norming session with your instructional team.

Digital Accessibility 

Federal guidance mandates that state and local government institutions like UCLA meet specific digital accessibility standards by April 2026. Instructors may need to adjust their course materials to meet these guidelines. As you plan your next classes, these resources will provide strategies for creating digital course content that all people can access and use.

Save the Date

Designing Your Online Course Summer Workshop

September 8– 12 | Zoom | Applications due August 21

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 design a course that is grounded in best practices for online instruction that is accessible and welcoming to all learners.

The 1-week workshop includes asynchronous activities and 3 synchronous sessions (Check the tentative schedule). Module deadlines can accommodate travel and research commitments. Each participant will also be assigned an instructional designer to work closely with during and after the workshop to develop and launch the course. Complete the application

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

New Instructor Teaching Institute

8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., September 9 and 10 | Registration form to follow

The TLC welcomes all instructors new and relatively new to UCLA, regardless of teaching experience, to the New Instructor Teaching Institute (NITI). The program will include interactive sessions, resource fairs, social hours, and opportunity drawings! Get oriented to campus, explore effective teaching practices, and connect with other new instructors, deans, and department chairs. 

Contact edp@teaching.ucla.edu for more information.

52nd Annual TA & Postdoc Teaching Conference

September 16 and 17 | Registration form to follow

The TLC’s TA & Postdoc Teaching Conference will help you build the skills to start fall quarter strong and to develop advanced teaching practices that benefit a wide range of career trajectories. Whether you’re a novice or experienced instructor, join us to build community while developing your teaching toolkit. Registration will open in August. Learn more

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