News from CTL

CTL closed the semester with a roundup of new teaching strategies, upcoming events, and expanded faculty support, highlighting innovative engagement ideas from its “Haunted Hangout” such as movement breaks, AI-powered historical remixes, collaborative problem-solving, midterm debates, reflective check-ins, and guidance for teaching teams. CTL also announced a December 10 Grab-and-Go Grading Pop-Up offering snacks, wellness items, and therapy dogs, continued Accessible Pedagogy Conversations, and a January 8 Start the Semester Strong workshop series to help instructors prepare for Spring 2026. Updated syllabus resources, teaching FAQs, and a growing course design toolkit were released alongside new ACUE professional development opportunities beginning in January. Recent community events like the Faculty Succulent Social, PTF Think Tank, and a panel on student motivation drew strong participation, and CTL encouraged instructors to explore Canvas support offerings and its full 2025–2026 programming calendar.

CTL highlights the value of gathering student feedback using simple methods, like an ungraded quiz question, and invites instructors to provide their own feedback on the newsletter via a survey. CTL welcomes new Longhorns Play Graduate Assistant, Aysha Upchurch, and invites faculty to its "Plant Care, Self Care: Faculty Succulent Social" on November 12. Throughout the month, a wide range of professional development opportunities are available, including Accessible Pedagogy Conversations, a SoTL Writing Group, generative AI workshops (GenIDEA and Prompt Design), and the Teaching Preparation Series for graduate students. Applications are also open for the 2026 Provost’s Teaching Fellows, and nominations are open for Texas Teach-Up, alongside events from campus partners.

CTL focuses on the importance of gathering mid-semester student feedback, inviting instructors to share their strategies while recapping September's ideas for the first two weeks of class. The CTL welcomes new Instructional Designer, Winona León, and invites faculty to its "Tricks, Treats, & Haunted Hangout" on October 29. Throughout the month, a wide range of professional development opportunities are available, with workshops dedicated to accessible pedagogy, generative AI in course design, a SoTL writing group, and a teaching preparation series for graduate students and postdocs, alongside events from campus partners.

September newsletter explores how the first two weeks of class can shape student motivation and belonging through small, intentional teaching practices. CTL welcomes three new team members and invites faculty to fall events, including book clubs, workshops on trauma-informed pedagogy and generative AI, and the annual Fall Community Gathering.

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is proud to celebrate the completion of the 2025 RISE Program (Resources and Insights for Starting Educators) a dynamic summer experience for early-career faculty at UT Austin. Now in its second year, the RISE Program continues to cultivate a supportive community of educators while empowering participants with teaching strategies, practical resources, and renewed confidence for the academic year ahead.

2025-2026 Programming Details Now Available

CTL Fall 2025 Semester Kickoff

We hope the summer season is providing you times of rest, joy, and exploration. This abbreviated newsletter includes recent CTL activities and fall preparation materials. We are finalizing 2025-2026 programming details and look forward to releasing the full lineup in early August. In addition, there are a few spots remaining in the upcoming ACUE asynchronous course. This professional development opportunity will provide actionable strategies for your fall courses.

With the end of the semester at hand, we hope you are able to plan times for rest and recharge. You are invited to join us for Grading Oasis and please spread the word about our second annual RISE program. Read on for resources, celebrations, and offerings from CTL and campus colleagues.

On March 28, the CTL hosted an engaging student panel focusing on student’s firsthand experiences with AI in the classroom, exploring its benefits, challenges, and impact on learning.