News from the Center

Now Supported at Brown: Wooclap Interactive Polling

After a successful pilot, ‘Wooclap’ is now fully supported at Brown, allowing you to seamlessly integrate interactive polls, quizzes, and word clouds directly into Canvas, PowerPoint, or Google Slides. Discover full setup details and stay informed on upcoming fall semester learning technology updates by reading our Updates for Fall 2026 article. If you prefer a demo, sign up for a DLD consultation and a Learning Technologist will provide you with an overview of how to incorporate the tool in your Canvas course site.

New Instructor Programs

GTA Orientation

Online and asynchronous
Register here

In this fully online, asynchronous, and self-paced program, Graduate Teaching Assistants engage in a reflective exploration of their own practices and beliefs about teaching. For more information, visit our website and complete our registration form. For questions, please contact Dr. Logan Gin (logan_gin@brown.edu).

UTA Teaching Essentials

Online and asynchronous
Register here

This fully online, asynchronous program is designed to help UTAs prepare for teaching. We will address the following topics: Reflecting on Values, Preparing to Teach, Teaching Contexts, and Resources and Next Steps. If you need to validate your UTAs’ participation, please make sure they fill out the post-survey form. You’ll receive a list of students who have completed the form at the end of September. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Christina Smith (christina_smith2@brown.edu).

Undergraduate Lesson Planning 101

Monday, September 21, Noon
SciLi 720 
Register here

Tuesday, September 22, 4:oo pm
Zoom
Register here

Do you work with students who create their own lesson plans as a tutor or as a UTA? Would they be interested in knowing how to create an effective lesson plan as a teacher? Then this workshop is for them! This workshop is for undergraduate students who teach in any capacity at Brown (e.g., UTAs, tutors, mentors, etc.) and want to learn more about how to create effective lesson plans for their role. Students should come prepared to design/workshop a lesson for an upcoming recitation, problem-solving session, office hours, etc. 

Fall Programs

Fundamentals of Canvas Accessibility Mini-Course 

Online and asynchronous
Register here by September 10

Want to learn how to make your Canvas course accessible? Then enroll in Digital Learning & Design’s ‘Fundamentals of Canvas Course Accessibility’ mini-course. Open to graduate students, post docs, faculty, and staff, this two-week, asynchronous course covers the seven pillars of digital accessibility. During the mini-course, which begins September 14th, there will be an opportunity to participate in an optional synchronous session hosted by the Sheridan Center's DLD staff.

Assignment Design in the Age of AI: Asynchronous Canvas Modules

Online and asynchronous
Register here by September 30

The Sheridan Center’s Digital Learning & Design team invites faculty, post-docs, graduate students, and staff interested in assignment design to register for a series of asynchronous Canvas modules on designing assignments with AI in mind. Over a two-week period, from October 5-19, participants can engage with the modules that align with their interests. There are three modules: Understanding AI and Your Position, Motivating Original Work through Assignment Design, and Integrating AI Literacy into Assignments. Email kristi_kaeppel@brown.edu with any questions.

STEM Ed Fridays

Select Fridays, Noon - 1:00 pm
SciLi 720 and Zoom

Are you interested in discussing STEM education at Brown? STEM Ed Friday is a vibrant learning community where STEM instructors and staff members share ideas, experiences, and challenges related to STEM education. 

September 25: Welcome back

In our first meeting of the semester, we’ll welcome new colleagues, review and refine our community agreements, and collaboratively select the topics for discussion this academic year. Register for this session and any of the additional fall STEM Ed Friday sessions you’d like to attend.

October 9: Course-based Undergraduate Research and Community-based Learning 

In this session, we will highlight course-based undergraduate research and community-based learning, both recognized as high-impact educational practices. Chuck Toth (Biology) will share his experience teaching BIOL 0610: Modeling Human Disease Using Stem Cells, where students develop and carry out their own research projects while also participating in community outreach projects with clinicians, caregivers, and organizations that support local communities affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Instructors from all disciplines are welcome to join the conversation. This session is co-sponsored with the Swearer Center for Public Service. Register here by October 1.

CIRTL@Brown Fall Local Learning Community

Once monthly on Tuesdays at noon
Register here by September 14

The CIRTL@Brown Local Learning Community is an opportunity for participants in CIRTL (Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning), and/or for those who wish to be involved in CIRTL. Graduate students and postdocs at Brown are invited to come together to discuss unique topics and build skills in navigating teaching, learning, and professional development. As part of your participation in the CIRTL@Brown community, you will be eligible to receive your CIRTL Associate certificate.

The learning community will meet monthly on the following dates: 

• September 15th, 12:00pm

• October 20th, 12:00pm

• November 17th, 12:00pm

‘Teaching at Teaching Intensive Institutions Conference’

Friday, October 2, 9am - 3pm 
Worcester State University
Find more information here

Many faculty enjoy rewarding careers at colleges and universities that primarily emphasize teaching, including liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and regional comprehensive universities. This free one-day regional conference, co-sponsored by Brown’s Graduate School, brings together graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to discuss what it’s like to work at teaching intensive institutions and how to apply for these faculty positions. Graduate students and postdocs will engage with faculty and deans from a range of teaching-intensive institutions across the New England region through a series of talks, panel presentations, and networking opportunities. Information will be continually updated on the TTII conference website, including a place to request notification of registration opening.

Brown Learning Collaborative

The Brown Learning Collaborative provides opportunities for undergraduate fellows to collaborate with faculty and peer partners in key academic areas: Data Science, Problem Solving, and Writing.

Asynchronous Resources and Programs

CIRTL Network Fall Programming

The CIRTL Network has announced its fall courses, workshops, and events! Registration opens on a staggered basis, and you can now submit this form to request a just-in-time reminder as soon as registration opens for something you are interested in. This fall's programming covers teaching fundamentals, focused topics in teaching and learning (including assessment, design, accessibility, and AI), and academic job market preparation. In addition, you have access to more than ten self-paced opportunities. Completion of programming can make you eligible to receive a CIRTL Associate certificate. For questions, please contact Dr. Logan Gin (logan_gin@brown.edu).

Creating a Teaching Portfolio

This online, self-paced Canvas workshop from the Sheridan Center guides participants through the process of writing a teaching statement and creating a teaching portfolio. For more information and to register, visit the Teaching Portfolio program website.