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)
Fall 2024 Learning Communities
Learning communities are open to all UMD instructors and graduate instructors unless otherwise specified in the description.
Have you been curious about exploring artificial intelligence-based tools such as ChatGPT in your classes but have not yet had the time to do so? This learning community is designed to introduce you to some AI-based tools and how to use them, then guide you to think about ways you could update your course content and assignments to leverage them.
No prior experience with AI is needed for this learning community – beginners are encouraged to sign up! Please come with an open mind, an interest in playing around with some new tools, a desire to learn from and share with your colleagues, and a curiosity for where that might lead you in your teaching.
Space is limited; please register as early as you can to guarantee your spot.
This learning community will meet on Thursdays every other week (9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/7, 11/21) from 2:00-3:00pm in ESJ 1103. Meetings will be in person with the option to call in virtually as needed.
Coordinated by Mona Thompson, TLTC
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Mona Thompson at mona1@umd.edu.
Grad Student Teaching and Learning Book Club
Are you a graduate student or postdoc who is teaching or preparing to teach? Connect with your peers in this informal book club! In this community, we will read "Teaching Matters: A Guide for Graduate Students'' by Aeron Haynie and Stephanie Spong and have informal conversations about topics from the book. We will discuss designing courses, creating a welcoming classroom community, navigating classroom challenges, cultivating well-being, and more!
You will receive a free copy of the book as part of your participation in this learning community. Please register as early as you can to guarantee your spot.
This book club will meet on Mondays every other week (9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18) from 1:00-2:30pm in ESJ 1103. Meetings will be in person with the option to call in virtually as needed.
Coordinated by Ginny Hutcheson, TLTC
Register here for the Grad Student Book Club.
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Ginny Hutcheson at ghutches@umd.edu.
Have you taken time to reflect on your identity and how it might impact student experiences? Are you looking for a supportive peer network to turn those reflections into actionable steps to improve your course? Join a community of instructors who are committed to applying inclusive practices to their own teaching context. We will read "Promoting Inclusive Classroom Dynamics in Higher Education: A Research-Based Pedagogical Guide for Faculty” by Kathryn C. Oleson and have informal conversations about topics from the book. We will discuss how our identities and our students’ identities shape classroom dynamics, how to design coursework to support all students, and how to prepare for productive discomfort and difficult conversations in class. Our hope is that with the support of this community, instructors can move from learning about inclusion to putting it into action!
You will receive a free copy of the book as part of your participation in this learning community. Space is limited; please register as early as you can to guarantee your spot.
This book club will meet online on Tuesdays approximately every other week (9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 12/3) from 10:30am-12:00pm.
Coordinated by Emily Berman and Ginny Hutcheson, TLTC
Register here for the Inclusive Classroom Dynamics Book Club.
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Ginny Hutcheson at ghutches@umd.edu.
Join colleagues across campus to build community, learn together, and explore and share strategies for being a trauma-informed educator. We will read Trauma-Informed Pedagogies: A Guide for Responding to Crisis and Inequality in Higher Education by Phyllis Thompson and Janice Carello to guide our discussions.
As part of your participation in this learning community, you will receive a free copy of the book. Please register as early as you can to guarantee your spot.
This learning community will meet online on Wednesdays every other week (9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4) from 9 - 10:30am.
Coordinated by Louisa Nkrumah, TLTC
Register here for Trauma-Informed Pedagogy.
Questions or accessibility needs? Contact Louisa Nkrumah at lnkrumah@umd.edu.