CIRTL MOOCs take place on the EdX platform and use video-based modules, discussion boards, and peer-reviewed assignments to teach participants about different aspects of evidence-based STEM teaching over the course of 8 weeks. Registration is required; there is no cost to participate and no enrollment cap. For more information, visit the CIRTL MOOC website.
Advancing Learning Through Evidence-Based STEM Teaching
This MOOC provides current and future STEM faculty members with effective teaching strategies and the evidence that supports these strategies. This course builds on “An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching.” The Intro course is recommended, but not required, as a prerequisite for participating in this course. No cap.
Workshops
Workshops have live, real-time online sessions and require independent work outside of those meetings. Registration is required and is limited to CIRTL members and alumni.
Communicating to Learn: Incorporating Scientific Communication into STEM Courses
Many instructors are eager to help students develop critical skills that extend beyond the classroom or the major. This is sometimes explained as teaching students to “think like a scientist” or “think like an engineer”, but how do we actually accomplish this goal? In this workshop, we will highlight the value of “communicating to learn” and show how communication-based assessments and activities can promote critical thinking and foster deeper learning of technical content. No cap.
Decode a Troublesome Concept or Skill for Your Learners
This two-part workshop is for anyone who needs to explain a concept or skill to students in any instructional role: an instructor, a guest lecturer, as a teaching assistant or tutor holding office hours. The main deliverable of the workshop is to develop an analogy for a particular concept/skill that will make your learners say “Aha! I truly understand what you mean!” Cap: 20.
Preparing Your Teaching Demo for a Job Interview
As part of the interview process for a faculty position in the U.S., you may be asked to lead a teaching demonstration. In this interactive workshop, we’ll discuss ways to go into your teaching demo with preparedness, confidence, and adaptability. The workshop will help participants generate a) questions they will need to answer ahead of time in order to plan an effective teaching demo and b) strategies for adapting to challenging situations that might occur during a teaching demo. Cap: 50.
Events
Events have live, real-time online sessions; event series includes a handful of events that revolve around a unifying theme in STEM teaching and learning. Events run on a drop-in basis and do not require advance registration. Participants can attend as many or as few events as they like in a given series.
Be Your Own Driver: Imagining Post-PhD Career Versatility (event series)
This series supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at all levels to articulate and build upon professional skills acquired within and outside of academic experiences. As these sessions empower participants toward the pursuit of liberating and versatile occupation possibilities, we will also resist perceived and received norms of the employment “use” of a graduate degree. No cap.
How CIRTL has Impacted my Career: Hearing from CIRTL Alumni (event series)
Join us to hear CIRTL alumni reflect on how they came into these positions: what made them pursue this career path; its benefits, stressors, and rewards; and how CIRTL shaped their interests, skills, and community. No cap.