Active learning is a teaching method based on the belief that students should be actively engaged in the learning process. Active learning techniques can be utilized to promote effective thinking both within and beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to use the content knowledge of a course as opposed to simply acquiring it (Cameron, 1999). This workshop will introduce a selection of active learning techniques that can be adapted within a variety of disciplines.

What are the best practices for grading written assignments objectively, fairly, and efficiently? Since many disciplines include written assessments, it is important to not only explore effective ways to grade written assignments, but also the types of feedback that promote student understanding and improvement. This interactive workshop will focus on the principles of authentic assessment and teach you how to create an effective system for grading written assignments, as well as strategies for formulating appropriate comments to promote learning.

Discover the power of the University of Windsor's new learning management system, Blackboard, which will soon be replacing CLEW for all courses across campus. In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to test-drive Blackboard and get an overview of key features and tools that many GAs and TAs will be grappling with in the Fall. Come join us to learn more about this new system and where to access further resources to help you maximize its potential.

Have you experienced labs or tutorials that were stimulating and effectively built up your understanding of the subject? Have you experienced labs or tutorials that were boring, confusing, or seemed to be a waste of time? Would you like to make your labs and tutorials more like the former and less like the latter? In this workshop, we’ll explore how we can make labs and tutorials more ACTIVE, *fun*, and  effective  for students and for ourselves. We'll share our experiences (as students, GAs/TAs, and instructors), lessons learned, and best practices. You'll discuss and experience some teaching techniques that you can use as GAs/TAs to facilitate your labs and tutorials.

Congratulations, you are a Teaching Assistant. But what should you do on the first day of classes? Reading the syllabus aloud while everyone follows along seems a little boring, and you always hated it when professors did that.

Active learning is a teaching method based on the belief that students should be actively engaged in the learning process. Active learning techniques can be utilized to promote effective thinking both within and beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to use the content knowledge of a course as opposed to simply acquiring it (Cameron, 1999). This workshop will introduce a selection of active learning techniques that can be adapted within a variety of disciplines.

Feedback is an essential tool for students to gauge their success within a course. More importantly, it provides students an opportunity for self-reflection and properly prepares them for growth and improvement. Providing feedback, however, requires that the evaluator pay attention to student needs, clearly reflect upon student weaknesses, and use student strengths as positive reinforcement. In addition, the mode of delivery (i.e., clarity, tone, and timing) is also critical in maximizing the efficacy of the feedback. In this session, we will examine some key strategies in preparing and delivering thoughtful and valuable feedback to students by providing hands-on examples that can be translated across disciplines.

Discover the power of the University of Windsor's new learning management system, Blackboard, which will soon be replacing CLEW for all courses across campus. In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to test-drive Blackboard and get an overview of key features and tools that many GAs and TAs will be grappling with in the Fall. Come join us to learn more about this new system and where to access further resources to help you maximize its potential.

How do instructors pitch their lectures so that they can make themselves understood by students who may have vastly different levels of background knowledge and proficiency? How can you tell if the students in your classroom are following what you say, feeling lost and frustrated, or are bored because they think you are going into too much detail about things they already know?

The University of Windsor has one of the most diverse student populations in Canada. As an instructor, you need to understand the challenges and opportunities that this situation brings. Communication and learning styles can get in the way of learning. This workshop will highlight the issues encountered when teaching Canadian-style to a diverse group of students.

As GAs and TAs, you will begin to encounter copyright issues in both the classroom and your own work. This session will help you to understand how copyright can affect you as a scholar and discuss the evolving academic publishing landscape. Publishing your thesis or your first article and want to know how to reach the broadest audience possible? Wondering about what rights you have as an author when you publish with a journal? Want to clarify some of the confusion around how you can use academic resources in the classroom? Then please join in!

Once you have registered for lunch, be sure to email Marilyn at ctlworkshops@uwindsor.ca with any allergies or dietary needs (no later than 12:00 pm on Wednesday, August 26th, 2015).

Feedback is an essential tool for students to gauge their success within a course. More importantly, it provides students an opportunity for self-reflection and properly prepares them for growth and improvement. Providing feedback, however, requires that the evaluator pay attention to student needs, clearly reflect upon student weaknesses, and use student strengths as positive reinforcement. In addition, the mode of delivery (i.e., clarity, tone, and timing) is also critical in maximizing the efficacy of the feedback. In this session, we will examine some key strategies in preparing and delivering thoughtful and valuable feedback to students by providing hands-on examples that can be translated across disciplines.

Discover the power of the University of Windsor's new learning management system, Blackboard, which will soon be replacing CLEW for all courses across campus. In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to test-drive Blackboard and get an overview of key features and tools that many GAs and TAs will be grappling with in the Fall. Come join us to learn more about this new system and where to access further resources to help you maximize its potential.

How do instructors pitch their lectures so that they can make themselves understood by students who may have vastly different levels of background knowledge and proficiency? How can you tell if the students in your classroom are following what you say, feeling lost and frustrated, or are bored because they think you are going into too much detail about things they already know?

The University of Windsor has one of the most diverse student populations in Canada. As an instructor, you need to understand the challenges and opportunities that this situation brings. Communication and learning styles can get in the way of learning. This workshop will highlight the issues encountered when teaching Canadian-style to a diverse group of students.

Can you identify one or more favourite classes that you took in undergrad? If so, what was it about those experiences that made them stand out in your mind? Can you recall the first day of class in those course? Did you know that the first day of class impacts not only students’ motivation but has also been shown to impact student grades? This session will provide you with examples of simple steps to begin preparation for the first day of class. Active learning methods will be described and participants will experience active learning techniques to create a first day experience that engages students and leaves them wanting to come back for more.