Transparent assignment design has been shown to increase students’ success with greater gains for historically underserved students. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Mary-Ann Winkelmes will discuss the concept of transparent teaching and learning (which involves faculty/student discussion about the relevant knowledge, skills to be practiced, required tasks, expected criteria and examples before students begin working), share data from an AAC&U study of students’ learning at seven Minority-Serving Institutions that identifies transparent assignment design as a replicable teaching intervention, and discuss examples. Participants will leave with a concise set of strategies for designing transparent and equitable assignments that promote students’ learning. Please register for this event.

In this workshop led by Anastasia Tsylina, an international Ph.D. student and a Sheridan Center Proctor, participants will discuss international perspectives on teaching at Brown and explore effective, evidence-based strategies for classroom management, assessment, and grading. This workshop is designed to enable international TAs to navigate Brown classrooms and build their confidence in teaching. Registration required.

Curious about open educational resources? Interested in finding, modifying, or creating OER? Open educational resources (OER) include textbooks, lesson plans, video content, and other media that are free, openly licensed, and adaptable for instructional use. Join Sarah Evelyn, the Library’s Director of Academic Engagement, for a conversation about openly licensed educational materials that can be used for teaching and learning. Topics will include adaption of materials to the individual needs of students, evaluation of the quality and currency of resources, and the accessibility of learning materials. Please register for this event.

This four-part series aims to help participants write clearly and effectively when using English for academic purposes. The workshops will be held on 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, and 10/18. Topics include cohesive writing, concise expression, and paraphrasing. Register on the Sheridan Center website or email [email protected] with questions.

In this session facilitated by Christina Smith, Sheridan Center Assistant Director and Adjunct Lecturer in Engineering, participants will explore strategies for teaching problem solving skills through using art and objects in their courses. Participants will learn ways to help students develop observational and reflective skills. Space is limited. Please register. 

You’ve created your Group Independent Study Project (GISP) and things have been going well! But discussions are becoming strained and you’re not sure if you are effectively learning. This workshop focuses on class activities that will keep you engaged with the material. Students will practice lesson planning skills and be able to identify resources and activities they can use in the classroom. This workshop series is for undergraduate students and faculty sponsors who are currently participating in a GISP as well as any other undergraduate students who are interested in knowing how to facilitate productive discussions.
Please register for this event.

Equitable grading in the arts involves providing support and opportunities to help students from all backgrounds meet course goals and demonstrate the scope of their learning. In this research-based interactive workshop, Sheridan Center Senior Associate Director Jessica Metzler discusses ways to approach the evaluation of student learning in art and studio-based courses through a framework that values high standards and individual development. This workshop is open to Brown and RISD faculty and is offered in conjunction with the Center for Social Equity & Inclusion at RISD. Space is limited, please register.

This weekly reading and conversation group uses articles from the Brown Daily Herald as launching points for discussions about US culture, idiomatic language, and English vocabulary. All are welcome. Pizza provided! Please register.

Please join us for a lunch to celebrate the end of Open Classroom Weeks.  Please register for this event.

This weekly reading and conversation group uses articles from the Brown Daily Herald as launching points for discussions about US culture, idiomatic language, and English vocabulary. All are welcome. Pizza provided! Please register.

This four-part series aims to help participants write clearly and effectively when using English for academic purposes. The workshops will be held on 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, and 10/18. Topics include cohesive writing, concise expression, and paraphrasing. Register for this date or email [email protected] with questions.

This weekly reading and conversation group uses articles from the Brown Daily Herald as launching points for discussions about US culture, idiomatic language, and English vocabulary. All are welcome. Pizza provided! Please register.

This weekly reading and conversation group uses articles from the Brown Daily Herald as launching points for discussions about US culture, idiomatic language, and English vocabulary. All are welcome. Pizza provided! Please register.

Are you in charge of a recitation section as a UTA? Do you come up with your own lesson plans for tutoring? Are you interested in knowing how to create an effective lesson plan as a teacher? Then this workshop is for you! This workshop is for undergraduate students who teach in any capacity at Brown (e.g. UTAs, tutors, mentors, etc.) and want to learn more about how to create effective lesson plans for their role. Come prepared to design a lesson for an upcoming recitation, problem-solving session, office hours, etc. Registration is required.

Want to practice your teaching before the term starts? Looking for a way to get constructive feedback in an informal, low-stakes format? Want to see how others teach and share ideas? Then attend the UTA Microteaching Session! Microteaching offers students an opportunity to practice their teaching for a short period of time (~5 minutes) and receive targeted feedback from peers about their teaching and goals. This session is open to all UTAs, however it is preferred you attend the previous orientation (either this term or in previous terms) to implement what you have learned. Registration is required.

Not sure what to do on the first day of teaching? Are you interested in learning more about how to approach and work with students? Through interactive activities, this orientation will cover professionalism, creating inclusive learning environments, effective teaching strategies, and best practices for continual improvement as a UTA. All students are encouraged to attend the UTA Microteaching Session in the afternoon to practice what they have learned. Breakfast will be served from 9:30-10:00 and registration is required.

It is necessary for UTAs to discuss attendance to the orientation with instructors to inform them that departments will need to compensate their UTAs for two hours of training, at the hourly rate.