CRTLE NEWSLETTER

NEWS 126, February 25, 2026

This video has closed captions for accessibility.

Learn about our exciting new CRTLE collaborations and events!

New Accessibility Resources Page!

Open Educational Resources (OER) & Accessibility: Supporting Student and Faculty Success at UTA

Faculty: Make Your Courses More Accessible & Inclusive

The Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence offers a dedicated Accessibility Resources page designed specifically for instructors. Explore step-by-step guidance, Canvas accessibility tips, remediation checklists for syllabi and course materials, and practical tools to help you create compliant, student-ready content from day one. Strengthen your course design, support all learners, and enhance student success with these ready-to-use faculty resources.

Illustration of a computer monitor on a desk displaying colorful apps, surrounded by books, documents, and icons, depicting a digital workspace.

Visit the Page

Join us TODAY!

Promotional graphic titled “Faculty Voices – Monthly Sessions” in large bold text over an orange and black background with blue accents. The lower portion features black-and-white headshots of two women. Text identifies them as Dr. Bonnie Laster, Associate Professor of Instruction, and Dr. Shelley Wigley, Associate Professor, listed as CRTLE Facilitators.

Low-Lift, High-Impact AI Tools for Teaching for Faculty

Wednesday, February 25

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Trinity Hall, Room 105 or via Microsoft Teams

Join us for an interactive workshop on using AI to create powerful experiential learning opportunities. UTA instructors will share real classroom examples and practical strategies for integrating AI to boost student engagement and deepen learning. Through demos and discussion, you’ll gain ideas and inspiration to bring meaningful, hands-on AI experiences into your own courses—whether you’re just getting started or already exploring AI.

A teacher stands at the front of a classroom facing students, with notes written on a whiteboard.

Peer Observation of Teaching Training with Certificate

Friday, February 27

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Microsoft Teams

This training helps faculty develop practical skills for conducting constructive peer observations, giving meaningful feedback, and supporting ongoing improvement in teaching. The session includes AI-supported role-play using LinkedIn Learning’s AI Role Play tool, with alternative options via Microsoft Copilot or peer-to-peer activities to ensure all participants can practice feedback and coaching skills.

**If you want students more engaged now, this workshop gives you concrete moves you can use this week!**

A diverse group of students sit together, facing forward. Text reads:

Wednesday, March 4

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Trinity Hall, Room 105 or via Microsoft Teams

Join the Small Changes. Big Impact. Real Classrooms: Fostering a Welcoming Environment in Teaching workshop, part of the Student Experience Project (SEP). This interactive, research-informed session explores practical, evidence-based strategies that help students feel welcomed, valued, and supported—boosting engagement, persistence, and success across in-person, online, and hybrid classrooms. Participants will leave with concrete, ready-to-use teaching practices that strengthen belonging through intentional language, structure, and community-building techniques. Open to faculty, adjuncts, and graduate instructors, Hybrid session, Lunch provided for in-person attendees.

Join us at the Technology Test Kitchen!

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.

January was highly successful, featuring two well-attended professional development sessions. Participants explored Leveling Up Your Career Portfolio and Supercharging Your Syllabus with Adobe Express. The series was further enriched by a guest representative from Adobe, Mr. Steven Watson. Thanks to all those who are participated! We look forward to seeing you at the next session.

group images from the technology test kitchen on January 22 in the lobby of Trinity Hall

The next Technology Test Kitchen is March 5th!

Sessions will be held at Trinity Hall, located in Trinity Hall, OIT TechKnowledgy Bar, first floor lobby, with breakout sessions in Rooms 112 and 105 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM. Each session is 30 minutes long, with additional time available for practice and exploration as needed.

March 5: Designing Clear & Compelling Research Posters and Infographics with Adobe Express (30 minutes)

This faculty‑friendly session supports instructors in transforming dense or complex information into visually clear posters and infographics using Adobe Express. Create assignments for students that support research and summary graphics using Adobe Express. With hands‑on guidance in the Test Kitchen, faculty will explore practical design principles that strengthen student digital literacy and AI Literacy. Join us in being creative with teaching as an Adobe Creative Campus!

Faculty will leave with:
• Techniques for converting text‑heavy material into digestible visuals.
• Layout, hierarchy, and accessibility strategies.
• Reusable templates for research. communication and student projects.

March 26: Building Reusable Teaching Templates That Save Time (30 minutes)

In this Test Kitchen, faculty design durable templates they can reuse throughout their courses—streamlining weekly modules, announcements, assignments, and more. Through guided iteration and peer feedback, participants experiment with multiple versions to identify what works best. Join us in being creative with teaching as an Adobe Creative Campus!

Faculty will:
• Build a customizable template for recurring instructional materials.
• Explore adding accessibility features and multimodal elements.
• Test several prototype versions with peer input.

Did you miss the first few Technology Test Kitchens?

Wide banner image of a modern campus technology space labeled “Technology Bar,” where several people sit and stand around counters with computers while a presenter gestures toward a large wall-mounted screen. On the right, a group of attendees stands listening near a sign that reads “UTA Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence.” Overlaid text says, “In Case You Missed It – CRTLE Technology Test Kitchens 1–4: A Virtual Recap.”

Join us for the Technology Test Kitchen ICYMI Recap Webinar!

Thursday, March 19

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Microsoft Teams

  Missed the first four sessions of the Technology Test Kitchen series? Here’s your chance to catch the highlights—and the hands-on inspiration. Join us for a dynamic recap webinar featuring four transformative sessions designed to elevate teaching, learning, and professional storytelling with Adobe Express.

Jan 15: Level-Up Career Portfolio Assignments

Jan 22: Supercharge Your Syllabus with Multimodal Design

Feb 19: Creating Engaging Explainer Videos & Podcasts

Mar 5: Designing Clear & Compelling Research Posters & Infographics

Discover practical strategies to boost student engagement, elevate assignments, and bring creative, multimodal projects into your courses.

By the end of the course, you will have:

A cleaned and organized course structure

Remediated key files (images, HTML, Word, PowerPoint, PDFs)

An inventory of remaining items

A clear path to full course accessibility 

Join our virtual workshop on Mentorship!

Promotional graphic for a virtual workshop titled “Mentorship Building Blocks: Setting Expectations & Goals.” Subheading reads, “Elevate Your Career in One Lunch Break!” The left side contains event details inviting mentors and mentees to join a fast, engaging session on building strong mentoring relationships and creating inspiring professional goals, noting it is open to all employees. The right side shows an illustration of professionals climbing a ladder up large geometric blocks, with one person helping another up, symbolizing mentorship and career growth, set against a soft green and yellow landscape background.

Mentorship Building Blocks: Setting Expectations and Goals

Hosted by: CRTLE, Faculty Success, EDGE Center, RISE 100 Mentorship Program and TCE

Wednesday, April 1

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Microsoft Teams

Meeting ID: 227 624 158 210 01

Passcode: tj7W7tL7

Click to Join

Introducing the New IRB Mentor Fellowship Program

Dr. Kathy Siepker,

Associate Professor, Social Work

Dr. Laura Hwang,

Associate Professor, Kinesiology

The IRB Mentor Fellowship Program is a joint initiative between the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE) and the Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) designed to strengthen faculty‑student mentoring around human subjects research and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process. IRB Mentor Fellows are experienced faculty who can support students as they learn to design ethical research studies and help them navigate IRB requirements with clarity, confidence, and care. Rather than positioning IRB review as a hurdle to overcome, the fellowship emphasizes mentoring as teaching: helping students understand the “why” behind ethical research practices to develop strong, well‑reasoned protocols that are prepared for IRB review.

Meet the Spring 2026 IRB Mentor Fellows

We are pleased to announce the newly selected IRB Mentor Fellows for the Spring 2026 semester, Dr. Kathy Siepker and Dr. Chueh-Lung (Laura) Hwang! These faculty mentors were selected for their demonstrated experience with human subject research, commitment to ethical conduct of research, and dedication to mentoring students through the research process.

Learn more about the IRB Mentor Fellowship

Discover the CRTLE Faculty Fellows Programs!

The CRTLE Faculty Fellows Program connects UTA faculty who are passionate about innovative, evidence-based teaching. Fellows collaborate across disciplines to design programs, share research-informed strategies, and strengthen teaching and learning across campus. Learn how this community supports professional growth and instructional excellence at UTA. Learn more!

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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!

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

Learn and Achieve Together

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

www.uta.edu/administration/crtle 817.272.7464 | CRTLE@uta.edu

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