Welcome to the Weekly UTLC Newsletter:
Week of August 18 |
|
|
|
Teaching Tips: First Week of Classes |
|
|
|
Good morning, and welcome to the Fall 2026 semester!
We hope you had a wonderful summer and a great start to the semester. As we begin the first week of classes, we want to share a few tips from the Educational Blueprints that can help you create a welcoming and engaging learning environment from day one.
|
-
Make connections early. Learn as many student names as possible and greet students as they enter the classroom. These small interactions can help build student confidence, foster a sense of belonging, and begin establishing a classroom community.
-
Introduce yourself and your course. Share a little about your background, why you enjoy teaching the course or discipline, and why the course matters. Help students understand how what they will learn connects to their academic, professional, or personal goals. Be sure to share your contact information and communication preferences as well.
-
Give students a preview of the learning experience. Model on the first day how you plan to teach throughout the semester. Engage students in an activity, discussion, or other learning experience that gives them a sense of what they can expect from your course.
|
|
|
|
As you begin a new semester, we leave you with the words of Plato: “The beginning is the most important part of the work.” The connections you make, the expectations you establish, and the experiences you create during these first days can set the tone for the semester ahead. Have a great start!
|
|
|
|
|
This fall, we are pleased to continue the Anthology Course Evaluation System pilot, which is testing out a new course evaluation system. Feedback thus far is that the system is easier to use for faculty and students; that it's more mobile friendly; that the reporting is more robust; and that evaluations are easier to do in class (for those teaching in-person), raising response rates.
If you would like to participate in the pilot for Fall 2026 (and have not yet participated), please fill out this form by September 18 for POT1 and November 2 for full term and POT2 classes. If you participated in the Spring or Summer 2026, we will be in touch! If you have any questions about the pilot, please send those to Joyce Clapp (jfclapp@uncg.edu).
|
|
|
|
|
The UTLC is now active on social media. Follow us on Instagram (@utlc.uncg), Facebook (UNCG UTLC), and LinkedIn (University Teaching & Learning Commons) to stay informed about weekly teaching tips, upcoming events, and resources that support teaching and learning at UNCG.
|
|
|
|
Faculty Engagement & Development Opportunities |
Check out these upcoming opportunities from the UTLC and other partners on campus. Additionally, the university workshop calendar has opportunities.
|
|
|
|
|
-
Self-Paced Training Options| Online, research-based workshops cover a range of essential topics.
-
UNCG Libraries Webinars | Research and Application Webinar Series (Spring 2024 recordings) | Zotero Webinar Series (recordings)
-
New to Teaching | Access this Canvas site to learn about how students learn, preparing for class, grading, office hours, engagement, active learning, and more.
-
Safe and Trans Zone Training on Canvas | Enroll in this self-paced online course to complete Safe Zone 1.0, 2.0, and Trans Zone if you cannot attend an in-person workshop.
-
Web Accessibility 101 | This asynchronous, self-paced course focuses on the fundamentals of making online content accessible.
|
|
|
|
Check out the latest updates for Canvas in our Fall 2026 Canvas Updates for Instructors, including enhanced rubrics, new quiz features, Microsoft Education changes, accessibility tools, and important reminders for LockDown Browser and Turnitin. A quick review now can help ensure your course tools and content are ready for the semester!
|
|
|
|
Open Office Hours with ITS |
|
|
|
Open Office Hours with ITS: Learning Technology’s Instructional Design Team: Tuesdays 10am–12pm
Drop in for a conversation with an instructional designer! We can assist with course and assessment design, discuss teaching questions, and help with Canvas, Teams, and other learning technology.
No registration is needed; you can just join online.
|
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
1100 West Market St., Suite 100F | Greensboro, NC 27412 US
|
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
