Looking to make your online course more interactive and engaging? Join us for a hands-on workshop to learn how to use DesignPLUS to build an interactive online course. We’ll show you practical strategies and guide you through follow-along activities so you can start using these tools right away! Just be sure to bring your laptop.
When: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Van Pelt/Opie Library Room 243
Registration is required.
This year’s recipients will share brief presentations on the work that earned them their teaching awards at a CTL Lunch and Learn event on Tuesday, September 9, at 12:00 PM in the MUB Ballroom. Each will receive formal recognition and a cash award.
Please register in advance to attend the luncheon.
The CTL would also like to thank previous instructional award recipients who were instrumental in the selection process.
We’re looking for nominations for the 2026 Deans’ Teaching Showcase during spring semester. Please consider suggesting (to your dean or chair) instructors who have made exceptional contributions in curriculum development, assessment, innovative or out-of-class teaching, or large class teaching.
Contact the CTL (ctl@mtu.edu) for more information or to request accommodations for meal attendance.
Take a break and join the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Thursday Sept. 4th from 3:30–4:30 p.m. in Library 243 for our biweekly Coffee Chats!
Enjoy a complimentary beverage from Velodrome as you connect with colleagues from across campus in a relaxed, informal setting. These sessions offer an open space to:
No agenda. No presentations. Just rich conversation and meaningful connections.
September 4th Topic: Tips and Tricks for a Great Semester!
We’ll kick off the series by sharing strategies, tools and insights to help set the tone for a successful and engaging semester!
Come as you are—whether you’re looking for inspiration, support, or simply a warm drink and good company. We’d love to see you there!
Coffee Chat- Teaching and Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools
Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 3:45 P.M.
Chat GPT, the artificial intelligence (AI) powered chatbot, was released in late November 2022. Since then it has dominated news coverage about AI tools and its impact on higher education. This large language model can generate human-like text responses to user prompts. It’s also adept at producing computer code, generating email messages, composing complex spreadsheet formulas, and much more. Instructors are grappling with the impact Chat GPT and other AI tools are having in teaching and learning. They’re also exploring strategies to leverage these tools to support course objectives and potentially save time previously used on routine tasks for higher order learning activities. Have you adjusted your teaching strategies to address the existence of AI tools in your classes?
Make plans to attend a Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning coffee chat on Thursday, February 16, at 3:45 in the Library East Reading Room. We’ll provide an overview of some common AI tools, demonstrate how they work, and review some AI-generated responses. You’ll also have time to discuss the implications of AI tools with other instructors from across campus. We hope to see you there.
To register for this event, please click here.
CTL Workshop: Enhancing Canvas Course Design Using DesignPlus
Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 2:00 P.M.
Would you like to develop a high quality, engaging course using a modern and professional looking course template? Plan to attend the instructional design team from the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning for a workshop about enhancing Canvas course design using DesignPlus tools. We will introduce DesignPlus and the course template, review how to import the course template, and show you how you can customize it for your own course. This workshop will focus on the most common and easy course design features to help you build a high quality professional looking course. No advanced technical skills are necessary.
To register for this event, please click here.
Tuesday November 1, 2022 at 3:45 PM
CTL Coffee Chat-Online Course Development and Support
Are you currently teaching or planning to teach an online course? Do you have questions about how to start the course development process, how to prepare for a course review, or how to improve an existing online course? If this sounds like you then make plans to join your colleagues and the online design team from the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for a Coffee Chat on Tuesday, November 1, at 3:45 in the Library East Reading Room.
Learn about course development best practices, including the recommended development schedule, resources the CTL can offer, and get answers to your unique challenges as you begin your development efforts. You’ll also hear from two Michigan Tech instructors who have gone through the development process and are ready to share their experiences with you.
Register to attend the CTL Coffee Chat featuring our online design team.
Please also take a moment to complete the short pre-event survey.
Tuesday November 8, 2022 at 3:45 PM
Instructional Awards-Curriculum Development and Assessment Chris Middlebrook Josue Reynoso
The Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning will recognize Chris Middlebrook (ECE) and Josue Reynoso as co-recipients of the 2022 CTL Instructional Award for Curriculum Development and Assessment on Thursday, November 8 at 3:45. They were selected for the award after being nominated via the Deans’ Teaching Showcase during the spring 2022 semester.
Middlebrook’s award presentation: Curriculum Development: Creation of a Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Laboratory Course
Reynoso’s award presentation: Developing New Curricula: An Experiential Learning Approach
Register to attend the CTL Instructional Awards for Chris Middlebrook and Josue Reynoso
The advent of online learning has forced us to change the way we must go about teaching. The article below talks about how Direct Instruction can still be effective in online learning.
Refer to this Pedagogy Unbound resource for tips on how to integrate active learning strategies into classrooms with a minimum of student resistance.
AAC&U, an organization that is a strong proponent of liberal learning and teaching innovation, is sponsoring three upcoming meetings for faculty. AAC&U (who brought us LEAP, essential learning outcomes, VALUE rubrics, etc.) hosts conferences that are consistently excellent and provide great opportunities for faculty to learn what other colleges and universities are doing.
For STEM faculty:
Transforming STEM Education – Oct 31-Nov2 in San Diego
For HASS faculty:
AAC&U Annual Meeting – January 22-24 in Washington DC
General Education and Assessment – Feb 27-March 1 in Portland
Funding is available for one or two faculty per conference, preferably faculty who are serving on university councils (Gen Ed, Assessment), departmental curriculum or assessment committees, or other leadership positions. Faculty, who attend, are expected to report back to the General Education and/or Assessment Councils as well as their departments regarding what they learned and could be considered for discussion or implementation at Michigan Tech.
Interested faculty should contact Christa Walck directly at cwalck@mtu.edu. Registration will be arranged through the Provost’s office to take advantage of our AAC&U membership.