Teaching Orientation

Each summer, the Teaching Center offers a three-part new instructor teaching orientation in collaboration with the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS), the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (Hajim), and the Office of the Provost. This orientation serves all new instructors of any rank on multi-year contracts who:

  • Teach in in SAS or Hajim
  • Teach undergraduates in any University of Rochester school

These three sessions are designed to be an easy and efficient way for instructors to get ready to teach.

Parts one and two can be done in one four-hour block or in two two-hour blocks on Zoom. They occur earlier in the summer so that you have essential information for designing courses in advance of fall semester.

Part three is a two-hour block embedded within the provost's in-person half-day orientation in late August. It covers just-in-time information for teaching your course and career path information.

Session Overview

Part one: July 19 (1 - 3 p.m.) or July 22 (9 - 11 a.m.) on Zoom

  • Introduction to learner-centered teaching
  • Syllabus overview and template
  • Accessible teaching and universal design for learning
  • Teaching policies and compliance
  • Writing student learning outcomes

Part two: July 19 (3 - 5 p.m.), July 22 (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.), or July 23 (1 - 3 p.m.)

  • Introduction to backward course design
  • Designing effective assessments
  • Inclusive feedback and messaging
  • Developing engaging learning activities
  • Introduction to blackboard and instructional software

Register Online

Part three: In-person half-day in late August. 

  • Teaching an effective first day of class
  • Creating a sustainable teaching practice
  • Documenting your teaching effectiveness
  • Faculty panel: leveraging teaching professional development in your career trajectory

You will register for Part three through communications from the Office of the Provost.