The Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation’s (CTEI) Learn@Lunch series is an opportunity for University of Hartford faculty to lead and engage in discussions about teaching and learning.
About Learn@Lunch Series
For recordings of previous Learn@Lunch sessions go to CTEI Teaching Resources.
The sessions (typically 3-4 each semester) are designed to encourage faculty to share and explore new teaching methods and are intended to foster collegiality, community, and peer support around teaching. Each semester the topics vary and are selected based on feedback from faculty and with the guidance of the CTEI Faculty Advisory Committee.
Do you have an idea for a session? Visit Learn@Lunch and share your idea with us.
Semester Session
Spring 2025
Please click here to register: CTEI Events Registration
Learn @ Lunch Events
Artificial Intelligence and Education: A Collaborative Exploration
Feb 10, 2025, 12:45-1:45P
IN-PERSON, w/Lunch provided
Location: Creative Technologies Center (Lower-Level Library)
Join the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation & the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies for an engaging panel on generative artificial intelligence featuring a diverse group of educators, and students. Whether you are curious about the role of AI in education or already exploring its applications, this session is for you! Lunch provided. Please register for an accurate lunch count.
Panelists:
Kasey Ramirez, Assistant Professor, Hartford Art School
Nels Highberg, Professor of English and Modern Languages, College of Arts and Sciences
Sequoia Hornsby (Eng Major, Senior)
Rachana Malpally (MSOP, Grad Student)
Incorporating Cognitive Science Strategies that Work: Elaboration & Dual Coding
Mar. 12, 2025, 12:45 p.m. -1:45 p.m.
VIRTUAL
Join us as we delve into our second session on cognitive learning strategies. This workshop will concentrate on elaboration and dual coding, two evidence-based strategies proven to enhance long-term retention and understanding. Learn how to seamlessly integrate these strategies into your curriculum as homework assignments or interactive class activities. We will examine how generative ai can help design these learning activities. Further, we will discuss how integrating these during class time can support AI-resistant activity. Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your instructional skills and foster a more effective learning environment.
Facilitated by Lisa Zawilinski
Insights from the STEM Advisory Council's Belonging Survey
March 28, 2025 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
IN-PERSON - Lunch will be provided
Join members of the STEM Advisory Council as they share valuable insights gathered from data collected over multiple semesters through a brief anonymous survey that examined STEM students' perceptions of belonging within their courses. The primary goal of this survey is to capture students; thoughts, feelings, and experiences regarding the strategies employed by the STEM faculty to foster a sense of belonging in their classrooms. By analyzing the feedback provided by students, the survey offers a look at the effectiveness of various approaches used the the instructors to create a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere, contributing to students' overall engagement, retention, and success in the STEM fields.
STEM Council Members:
- Shivangi Nangia (co-chair, A&S)
- Cindy Thomas-Charles (co-chair, A&S)
- Taylor Bellagamba (A&S)
- Edward Diehl (CETA)
- Xin Shen (CETA)
- Song Wang (CETA)
- Linda Yamamoto (ENHP)
- Xin Ye (ENHP)
Building Connections: Enhancing Teaching through CTEI Peer Observation of Teaching Program
April 15, 2025, 11:30-12:30P
IN-PERSON, w/Lunch provided
Location: Creative Technologies Center (Lower-Level Library)
Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the CTEI Peer Observation of Teaching Program! This session will feature four valued faculty members, including two peer observers and two instructors who have been observed. They will share their personal experiences, highlighting how CTEI’s collaborative process of peer observation not only enhances teaching quality but also helps reduce the feeling of isolation often experienced in teaching. Discover how peer observation fosters a supportive community, provides valuable feedback, and promotes professional growth. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues, gain practical insights, and contribute to the conversation on improving our teaching practices. Your participation will be invaluable in shaping the future of our educational community!
Panelists:
Diane Verrochi, ENHP
David Jacobs, CETA
Sheetal Sood, ENHP
Anne E. Pidano, Emeritus, A&S
Let's Talk Teaching Events
Join us for informal meetups where we chat about teaching! This is a great opportunity to brainstorm new ideas, seek advice from colleagues, and share experiences. There is no planned agenda or presentation, just a relaxed environment for open discussion. Drop in or join for as long as you wish!
Details:
- Dates & Time: March 3rd and April 21st, 2025, from 12:45-2:00P
- Location: Commons Private Dining Room
- Lunch: Provided for Registrants
Effective Strategies for Managing Points of Friction in Teaching
May 5th, 2025, 12:45-2:00pm
Virtual
Facilitators: Regina Graziani, Heather Lagace, & Lisa Zawilinski
Join us as we explore common points of friction in teaching between faculty and students while maintaining high expectations in the classroom. This session provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with fellow UH instructors who may be experiencing similar issues or have effective strategies to share. By leveraging this collective wisdom, you can enhance your teaching practices and gain valuable insights.
The session will focus on the following:
- Anticipating Points of Friction: Anticipate potential issues and design proactive strategies to address them before they arise. By planning ahead, you can create a smoother and more effective teaching experience. We’ll share ours.
- Checking Hidden Assumptions: Explore how assumptions—both faculty's about students and students' about faculty—can lead to misunderstandings. We'll discuss strategies for uncovering and addressing these assumptions to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
- Crafting and/or Co-constructing Explicit Expectations: Examine examples of explicit expectations for assignments, readings, and classroom behavior.
- Providing Clear Guidelines for Meetings: Establish clear guidelines for students on how to prepare for meetings with instructors regarding grading concerns or attendance issues. This proactive approach can reduce frustration and foster more productive conversations.
By addressing these key areas, we aim to reduce faculty frustration and improve student communication and engagement. Join us to share experiences, strategies, and solutions that can transform classroom challenges into opportunities for growth. We hope this session will provide rich ideas for your courses next fall!