As part of a multi-year effort funded by the P3 Strategic Initiatives Fund, the University of Iowa is using scholarly inquiry to advance excellence in teaching and learning. The initiative provides faculty members with expert, ongoing support to design, implement, and disseminate SoTL studies.

Each year, graduate teaching fellows design and facilitate a workshop as part of their work with the Center for Teaching. Emily Wieder, a PhD student in French and Francophone World Studies, is hosting a TILE Classroom Teaching Demo on Wednesday, March 12.

This is the second installment of our Staff Spotlight Series, which aims to introduce you to our team in the Center for Teaching. Katherine Beydler is an associate director in the Center for Teaching.

Since 2016, the Center for Teaching’s Course Design Institute (CDI) has helped University of Iowa faculty from 56 departments design or redesign their courses. The five-day workshop provides instructors with the dedicated time, structure, and support needed to construct or revise a course while connecting with colleagues from across campus.

This is the first installment of our Staff Spotlight Series, which aims to introduce you to our team in the Center for Teaching. Tamar Bernfeld is an assistant director in the Center for Teaching.

Each year, the Center for Teaching invites several Graduate Teaching Fellows to spend the year developing teaching skills and building a portfolio by collaborating on a range of pedagogical issues, while gaining experience in the field of educational development.

Learn more about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in our enlightening Q&A with Sara Nasrollahian, SoTL expert and associate director of the Center for Teaching. Sara shares more information about the SoTL Institute on Oct. 18 and offers insights on the impact of SoTL on teaching practices, its vital role in academic development, and how you can get involved in SoTL. 

In this reflective essay, which previews ideas he will share in a scholarly journal article he is in the process of writing, 2023-24 Graduate Teaching Fellow Vinay Bapu Ramesh reflects on the value of general education and how it is shaping his approach to teaching science to non-majors.

Center for Teaching practicum student Nathan Walter offers this resource on creating icebreakers that are effective in building community and trust amongst the class.

Undergraduate students in Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies and spring 2024 Center for Teaching practicum students share this resource to provide specific strategies for dealing with difficult dialogues.