In collaboration with partners from across GW, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) is transforming our traditional Teaching Day into a full Teaching Month. With a variety of events planned in different formats, there’s something for every GW educator! Keep reading to find out more about:

We are grateful to partner with faculty and offices across GW to celebrate teaching excellence across disciplines and schools. 

AI as a Teaching Tool with the GWSB Teaching Excellence Committee

Fri., October 3 at 11:00 a.m., Duques 651 and Zoom

Join Dr. Laura D'Antonio, Assistant Professor of International Business, to explore her use of Breakout Learning's AI-powered discussion tools in her classes to support more meaningful classroom discussion and learning. Learn more about the potential gains and pitfalls of integrating AI into the classroom, including necessary steps to comply with FERPA and other University guidelines on AI tools and student privacy.

Small Teaching: Empowering Engagement with the RGSS (CCAS) Teaching Innovations Committee

Tues., October 7 at 5:00 p.m., Tompkins 303

At this interactive event, several faculty will share lightning-round presentations highlighting low-prep, high-impact strategies that work across disciplines. Please RSVP for Small Teaching by 5:00 p.m. on October 3rd and contact Sarah-Kay Hurst with any questions.

“How do students use AI (@ GW)?” University Seminar: AI & Writing

Fri., October 24 at 11:00 a.m., Corcoran Hall 104

Dr. Karen Singer-Freeman, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning Excellence, will discuss the findings of her recent study, "Generative AI Usage Among University Students Depends on Academic Level and Task," with over 1,200 students at a private U.S. university. Then, a panel of GW students will reflect on their own use of AI and their observations about AI use here. RSVP for “How do students use AI (@ GW)?”

Develop your teaching alongside other faculty new to GW in this cohort-based collegial program. The cohort will take part in six two-hour sessions between October and March, and, in February, there will be multiple opportunities for peer feedback. All faculty members who consider themselves new or relatively new to teaching at GW are welcome to join. For more information, visit the website.

During Teaching Month, we are offering a book group around Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen. We'll explore what the book can teach us about:

We plan to offer two book groups in Fall 2025, one which will meet in-person and one which will meet online. (We will not be offering a hybrid option: you'll be committed to the modality you choose.) As part of filling out this form, you will help us identify a day and time for each group, select your preferred modality, and communicate a little bit about your interest in joining the group.

We are offering a collaborative space for GW educators to share and receive feedback on modifications to their courses and assignments in response to emerging AI technologies. By participating, you will…

The group will have three monthly meetings in Fall 2025, starting in mid-October. Time, day of week, and location are based on participant availability as indicated in the registration form. Read more details on our CTE Teaching Groups website.

We are offering numerous workshops throughout Teaching Month that address current teaching themes and challenges. Here are three highlights with more below.

Debate, Discussion, Dialogue: Structuring Engaging Classroom Conversations: Tues., October 14, 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Clarifying the distinctions between debate, discussion, and dialogue can promote civil engagement and critical thinking and help students feel more comfortable participating in class. In this workshop, you will practice strategies for selecting and structuring conversations and discuss how to handle challenging moments when they arise.

Intro to Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs): Fri., October 17, 1:00–2:30 p.m.

This workshop introduces Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) for faculty from the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Faculty will leave with ideas for creating authentic research and problem-based opportunities in their undergraduate classes.

Getting Students to Do the Reading: Mon., October 27, 12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.

Do you feel like students aren’t reading or processing the material you’ve asked them to prepare? How can you salvage your lesson plan when this happens, and how can you prevent this situation from happening in the first place? This workshop will explore some reasons why students don’t read and what you can do in response.  

We’re excited to announce that for the first time we’re delivering two Course Design Institutes at GW: our traditional weeklong format in May, and now a new “CDI: Semester” that spreads the same content over the course of six weeks from January to March. This new format allows us to reach people who cannot take a week out of their schedule, or cannot do so during the week in May when we hold CDI. Applications are open now and are due by December 3. If you have any questions, email teaching@gwu.edu.