CRTLE NEWSLETTER

NEWS 129, April 8, 2026

Spring is a busy time at CRTLE and UTA, and we’re pleased to share a range of upcoming opportunities designed to support your teaching, spark new ideas, and connect you with peers across campus. From fast‑paced faculty lightning talks and hands‑on technology exploration to ACUE courses, PLCs, and new resources for AI‑informed course design, there’s something here for every stage of your teaching journey. We invite you to explore what’s ahead and join us in community as we continue learning from and with one another. --Peggy Semingson

Thursday, April 16

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Trinity Hall, Room 205 or via Microsoft Teams

The Faculty Playbook 2.0 returns with a new round of fast‑paced faculty lightning talks from members of the University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers focused on what’s actually working in the classroom.

In this session, faculty will share short, concrete examples of teaching strategies, course design ideas, and learning activities they’ve tested in real courses. Think of this as a grab‑and‑go playbook—designed to spark ideas you can adapt right away, no matter your discipline or teaching modality.

Expect:

➡️ Brief, focused lightning talks from faculty peers

➡️ Practical takeaways you can use immediately

➡️ A mix of approaches—from small tweaks to bigger redesigns

➡️ Inspiration without the pressure of a full workshop

Whether you joined us for the original Faculty Playbook or are jumping in for the first time, The Playbook 2.0 offers a lively, collegial space to learn from one another and leave with new ideas in hand. 

ICYMI! View the video from the previous Faculty Playbook for Teaching session HERE.

Join CRTLE and OIT in the Technology Test Kitchen!

Step into an interactive space where faculty can explore digital tools and learn practical strategies for integrating technology into their teaching. 

Technology test kitchen sessions will be held at Trinity Hall, located in Trinity Hall, OIT TechKnowledgy Bar, first floor lobby from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM. Each session is 30 minutes long, with additional time available for practice and exploration as needed.

Discover how to make the most of Khanmigo and IgniteAI—AI teaching tools already built directly into Canvas and ready for you to use today. This AI-focused hands-on Test Kitchen session gives faculty a practical, low-pressure space to try out lesson design ideas, explore AI-supported activities for teaching design and assessment, and see how these tools can meaningfully enhance quiz creation, discussion boards, and more instruction, adding complexity. With faculty interest in AI at an all-time high, this session focuses on real, classroom-ready strategies—when AI can help, when traditional approaches shine, and how to blend both with intention. Faculty are welcome to stay for the full experience or drop in for a shorter visit—whatever fits your day.

In this Test Kitchen, faculty will:
• Prototype AI‑enhanced lesson elements tailored to their courses
• Compare AI‑generated ideas with existing teaching goals
• Consider ethical, transparent AI integration practices
• Leave with a draft lesson, activity, or prompt sequence
Ideal for faculty curious about using AI responsibly and creatively.

THIS SESSION IS ON TEAMS ONLY, NOT IN-PERSON

Join us for an engaging Faculty Outreach Discussion hosted in collaboration with the Urban Institute as part of UTA’s Data to Action grant. This interactive session will explore practical strategies to better support parenting students and other nontraditional learners through faculty discussion and case study review.

The session will be led by Dr. Sophia Fantus, from the School of Social Work, whose research focuses on identifying meaningful resources and support systems for student parents at UTA.

We encourage faculty across disciplines to participate and contribute to this important conversation.

📅 Date: April 27
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
📍 Location: TBD

📩 Interested? Contact Ashley Purgason at purgason@uta.edu to get involved.

Help us create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment!

CRTLE PLCs are faculty-driven, ongoing spaces inspired by the collaborative spirit of the Salons of Paris, where educators come together across disciplines to exchange ideas, explore challenges, and reflect on teaching practices.

Virtual meetings will be held every three weeks starting in September 2026, using a provided group book. Each group will be capped at 12 participants (waiting list available).

#1 Digital Learning Design Studio is designed for faculty who teach online or hybrid courses—and those preparing to do so—who want to intentionally design, refine, and sustain high‑quality digital learning experiences. 

#2 Teaching in the Age of AI Collaborative brings together faculty who want to thoughtfully explore how generative AI and related technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, and assessment. 

Apply by August 1st!

Register by May 4! 

How can we integrate AI into our courses in ways that support learning, uphold academic integrity, and prepare students for what comes next?

The CRTLE AI Course Redesign Hub at UT Arlington brings together:
Beginner‑friendly guidance for faculty exploring AI in teaching
Classroom‑tested examples from the AI Course Redesign Institutes
Curated resources grounded in pedagogy, transparency, and ethical use
A focus on AI as a learning partner and not a replacement for human judgment

Whether you’re just getting started or refining an AI‑informed assignment, this hub is designed to be practical, low‑pressure, and faculty‑centered.

This is a four-part series:

⭐Pre-work and materials to read to build your foundation and create a plan.

⭐Attend the institute on May 14 (in-person or virtual).

⭐Do the two-week design sprint to redesign your syllabus(es).

⭐Attend the post-institute webinar to share updates and goals!

Explore the AI Course Redesign Institute preview and register now!

To make it easier to evaluate and acquire technology at UTA, OIT has launched a new Technology Assessment Process.

This gives faculty and staff a single starting point to see whether a software or technology is approved, unapproved, or requires review before use or purchase.

When needed, Technology Assessment Requests are submitted through ServiceNow and reviewed by OIT EIR Accessibility, OIT Enterprise Architecture, and the Information Security Office. Most reviews are completed within 30 days.

Learn more on the OIT website.

Do your Graduate Students Need Help Navigating the IRB Process?

Let them know about the IRB Mentor Fellowship Program.

Our IRB Mentors — Dr. Kathy Lee Siepker and Dr. Laura Hwang — are available to support and mentor graduate students (and their faculty advisors) through the IRB process, from shaping a research idea to preparing a strong submission.

IRB Mentors can help graduate students with:

→ Determining whether a project involves human subjects research requiring IRB review

→ Translating research ideas into IRB‑appropriate language

 → Reviewing draft protocol materials for clarity and alignment

→ Understanding IRB feedback and revision requests

Please note: IRB Mentors provide educational and mentoring support only; they do not approve protocols or make IRB determinations.

For questions about the IRB Mentor Fellowship Program, contact Kirstin Morningstar, Executive Director of the Office of Regulatory Services, at kmorning@uta.edu.

For IRB requirements, contact regulatoryservices@uta.edu.

How can CRTLE support you?

The CRTLE team is here to support and inspire your teaching—from exploring new strategies and redesigning courses to integrating AI and digital tools. Share your questions, ideas, or requests using the form below, and a member of our team will follow up to connect you with the support you need. We look forward to working with you!

Did you miss a CRTLE Session? 

Don't worry! We have recaps of all CRTLE Sessions on our blog!

PEDAGOGY NEXT

Visit the CRTLE website for Updates on Event and Access to Our Many Teaching Resources: https://www.uta.edu/administration/crtle 

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST - CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON TEACHING AND LEARNING EXCELLENCE
PEGGY SEMINGSON, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND INTERIM DIRECTOR
SUSAN DEQUEANT, M.ED., ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR SERVICE LEARNING
BETH FLEENER, PH.D., SENIOR TEACHING INNOVATION RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
NAKESHA BROWN, M.ED., COORDINATOR II, SPECIAL PROGRAMS