Learning Communities
A faculty learning community is a specifically structured learning community of faculty, instructors, and staff in higher education with a curriculum that enhances teaching and learning and includes the goals of building community, engaging in scholarly practice, and developing the scholarship of teaching and learning. (Cox, 2019)
Spring 2026 Learning Communities
Learning communities are open to all UMD instructors and graduate instructors unless otherwise specified in the description.
Tuesday Virtual Option
Do you want to learn more about how artificial intelligence is shaping teaching and learning? This beginner-friendly learning community will introduce several AI-based tools, including the new university tool Terp AI. You will have the opportunity to try out tools, ask questions, and consider the possibilities and challenges they create.
We will explore practical ways AI can support your course planning and assignment design, and consider questions that many instructors are raising about student learning, critical thinking, ethical concerns, and environmental impacts. No prior experience with AI is needed. This is a space for curiosity, reflection, discussion, and skill building.
By actively participating in this learning community, you will earn the GenAI-Informed Pedagogy Practitioner meta-credential from the TLTC Teaching Academy. All UMD instructors are welcome.
We will meet for 6 weeks on Tuesdays, via Zoom (2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10) from 11am - 12:15pm.
Register for the AI Playground Learning Community
If you would like to earn your GenAI-informed Pedagogy meta-credential through the TLTC Teaching Academy, Louisa will instruct you to submit a reflection about your learning community experience. This lesson will be marked "complete" after you submit the reflection.
Coordinated by Louisa Nkrumah, TLTC
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Louisa at lnkrumah@umd.edu.
Thursday Option
Do you want to learn more about how artificial intelligence is shaping teaching and learning? This beginner-friendly learning community will introduce several AI-based tools, including the new university tool Terp AI. You will have the opportunity to try out tools, ask questions, and consider the possibilities and challenges they create.
We will explore practical ways AI can support your course planning and assignment design, and consider questions that many instructors are raising about student learning, critical thinking, ethical concerns, and environmental impacts. No prior experience with AI is needed. This is a space for curiosity, reflection, discussion, and skill building.
By actively participating in this learning community, you will earn the GenAI-Informed Pedagogy Practitioner meta-credential from the TLTC Teaching Academy. All UMD instructors are welcome.
We will meet for 6 weeks on Thursdays (3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30) from 2:00-3:15pm in ESJ 1103. Meetings will be in-person with the option to join virtually as needed.
Register for the AI Playground Learning Community
Training Activity:
If you would like to earn your GenAI-informed Pedagogy meta-credential through the TLTC Teaching Academy, Cassady will instruct you to submit a reflection about your learning community experience. This lesson will be marked "complete" after you submit the reflection.
Coordinated by Cassady Cundari, TLTC
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Cassady at ccundari@umd.edu.
Have you experimented with artificial intelligence tools and are looking for a dedicated space to continue exploring their academic and research uses? In this learning community, we will explore a different AI tool each week (e.g., Gemini, NotebookLM, Perplexity) and discuss potential applications for teaching, research, and professional work.
Each session will begin with a brief introduction to the tool’s features, followed by dedicated time to explore the tool and share use cases for both professional and personal applications.
We will meet in person in ESJ 1103 on Wednesdays (2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11) from 2-3pm.
This learning community will be a great fit for you if you:
- Are teaching and curious about how AI might be thoughtfully integrated into your course
- Have some prior experience with AI tools (you are not required to be an expert though)
- Are open-minded, curious, and interested in learning from your peers
- Have the time to attend all in-person sessions
Please register in Workday to express interest in this session, and we will send you a short Google form to confirm that this group is a good fit for you and your teaching experiences and interests. Registration is limited, so please register early to guarantee your spot.
Register for the Advanced AI Playground Learning Community
Coordinated by Mona Thompson, TLTC & Dr. Carinna Ferguson, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Mona Thompson at mona1@umd.edu
Need help registering for learning communities in Workday?
Watch this short video, read the job aid, or ask the UMD Virtual Agent (chatbot).
If you have trouble registering, please email tltc@umd.edu.