The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA) offers expertise, programming and administrative support for all instructors, from graduate student instructors and teaching assistants to seasoned faculty members with the firm understanding that faculty members’ success in creating meaningful learning experiences leads to increased student engagement and achievement.
The CTLA Supports Faculty and Staff by:
- Offering professional development opportunities that ensure constructive, inclusive and active learning environments for all students
- Leveraging experienced faculty leaders to promote teaching excellence across the University
- Collaborating with academic units to assess programs and courses to achieve equitable student learning outcomes
- Encouraging innovative Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL)
- Contributing to the development of policies and procedures that support excellence in teaching
Professional Development Opportunities
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Workshops, Programs and EventsCTLA workshops, programs and events draw on research-based best practices from the literature on teaching and learning and help participants consider ways to apply those best practices in their teaching.
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AcademiesCTLA academies focus on empowering faculty to make instructional decisions based on evidence-based best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment. Academies are selective experiences and provide stipends associated with peer-to-peer and mentoring opportunities.
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Faculty Learning CommunitiesFaculty Learning Communities (FLC) offer an opportunity for instructors to collaborate with their peers to explore a topic of interest related to teaching, learning and assessment on a semester- or year-long basis. Most FLCs will include faculty from different disciplines to foster discussion that includes a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
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Peer Teaching Observation ProgramThe Peer Teaching Observation Program is designed for faculty members at any level and in any type of position who would like confidential, formative feedback about their teaching from trained peers.
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Faculty FellowsCTLA faculty fellows serve in a leadership role to mentor/support for other faculty in a specific topic, create University-wide workshops or develop resources for future use by faculty. Faculty fellows are eligible for workload or stipend equivalency to complete the project.
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Scholarship of Teaching and LearningThe Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Scholars Network highlights areas of interest and expertise and connects faculty and staff across disciplines. SoTL in Practice book groups, workshops and seminars promote instructor competencies in SoTL methodologies and assist in the development of SoTL projects from research question to publication. CTLA also seeks to curate presentations and publications by OHIO faculty and staff.
CTLA Collaborations and Contributions
Collaboration with Academic Units
The CTLA assists academic units with:
- developing student learning outcomes and assessment plans
- collecting direct and indirect evidence of student learning
- using evidence of student learning to improve programs
The center also supports the University Curriculum Council (UCC) to document, track, and improve student achievement of general education learning outcomes.
Providing information, training and workshops that support student retention, persistence and degree completion for all students is an additional function of CTLA and its partners.
Contribution to the Development of Policies and Procedures
CTLA supports the work of the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (TLA) Committee, which is committed to cultivating exceptional practices and continuous improvement in teaching, learning and assessment at the course, curricular and program levels across the University, and the Faculty Senate's Educational Policies and Student Affairs Committee (EPSA) to consider issues related to the curriculum, educational policies (including catalog language), and broader issues concerning students.
In addition, CTLA collaborates with the Faculty Senate's University Curriculum Council (UCC) to consider issues related to university curriculum matters.
In all cases, CTLA serves as a resource on topics specific to teaching and learning.
Consultation Services
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CTLA One-on-One Consultation Services
One-on-one confidential consultation service focuses on the individual needs of an instructor, whether they are seeking to improve their teaching performance in the classroom; explore new pedagogical models; or develop effective student feedback, assessment, and evaluation processes. Contact the CTLA to request a consultation.
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Instructional Design Consultation
The Office of Instructional Innovation (OII) offers consultations with an instructional designer. Or, visit the OII website to learn more about their services.