Teaching Workshops : Programs and Services : Teaching Center : University of Rochester

Teaching Workshops

If a group or department would like to request a repeat workshop on any of these topics, please contact the Teaching Center.

Spring 2026 Teaching Workshop Series

Teaching Center offers 1-hour workshops designed to provide instructors with practical strategies and ready-to-implement tools. Our Spring 2026 teaching workshops series is held on Zoom Thursdays from 11:00 am to 12 noon or 12 noon to 1 p.m. and Fridays 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Aligning Assessments with Learning Outcomes

Friday, April 10, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Student learning outcomes provide the framework for essential students learning in a course – assessments enable us to directly measure how effectively students are achieving that learning and developing those skills. Learn how to evaluate and align course assignments and assessments to measure the essential learning in your course.

Register for Aligning Assessments with Learning Outcomes

Generative AI and Assignments

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 12:00 noon– 1:00 pm

Friday, April 17, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

As generative AI can now complete many types of assignments, learn about approaches to rethinking assignments that draw on the instructor’s role in facilitating and certifying learning.

Register for Generative AI and Assignments on April 16

Register for Generative AI and Assignments on April 17

Assessing Experiential Learning

Friday, April 24, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Experiential learning involves engaging learners through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. The essential learning that occurs as a result of these experiences often involves non-academic skills and competencies, such as learning about oneself and others, and/or developing new feelings, interests, and values. Learn how to assess experiential learning and design targeted reflection prompts to effectively evaluate student growth.

Teaching Reflection – Spring 2026

Friday, May 8, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Reflecting on your teaching is an important part of being an effective instructor, and it is often challenging to find time to reflect amid the many demands at the end of the semester. Join your fellow instructors for an hour of guided reflection and sharing about the successes, surprises, and areas for improvement discovered during the Fall semester.

Fall 2026 Teaching Workshop Series

Teaching Center offers 1-hour workshops designed to provide instructors with practical strategies and ready-to-implement tools. Our Fall 2026 teaching workshops series is held on Zoom Thursdays from 11:00 am to 12 noon or 12 noon to 1 p.m. and Fridays 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Writing Course Learning Outcomes

Thursday, August 27, 2026, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon

Friday, August 28, 2026, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

Effective learning outcomes are actionable, measurable and speak directly to the essential learning in a course. Learn how to write student learning outcomes that are challenging, achievable, and directly measurable using backward design principles.

Designing Exams that Measure Student Learning

Friday, September 18, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Exams are a widely used assessment type that is easy to administer and grade. However, writing a well-designed exam can be challenging. Learn evidence-based practices for designing effective exams that align with course learning outcomes, evaluate student learning, and are equitable and accessible for diverse learners.

Writing Good Multiple Choice Questions

Friday, September 25, 2026, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

Multiple-choice questions effectively assess student learning because they are flexible, relatively easy to implement and grade, and capable of evaluating a range of skills and concepts. Learn best practices for writing and organizing multiple-choice questions so they are challenging, equitable, and accessible for diverse learners.

Engaging Students with Classroom Questions

Friday, October 2, 2026, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

Questions are an important instructional tool that can be used to stimulate thought, provoke inquiry, spark curiosity, actively engage students in thoughtful discussions, and help them build expertise. Learn how to engage students in meaningful learning through the effective design and implementation of question-based activities.

Instructor Spotlight – Megan Tichy, Professor of Instruction, Chemistry

Designing Effective Group Work using Guided Inquiry

Friday, October 23, 2026, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

Guided inquiry is a pedagogical framework designed to enhance student engagement and learning through structured exploration and critical thinking. Learn best practices for designing and facilitating effective group work using guided inquiry within a course and scaling that design to accommodate both large and small class sizes. Practical guidance includes: using structured roles to enhance learning, fostering group accountability, engaging students in the learning process, and when flexibility is most effective.

Designing Effective Group Work

Friday, October 30, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Properly structured, group assignments enable students to develop and reinforce skills relevant and important for success in the professional world. Learn best practices for designing and implementing effective group assignments and projects.

Supporting Students for Effective Group Work

Friday, November 6, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Being part of an efficient and effective team requires communication, accountability, time management and conflict resolution. Learn how to scaffold group learning experiences that enable students to develop the interpersonal skills necessary to work as successfully as team.

Evaluating Group Work Effectively

Friday, November 13, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Evaluating group assignments equitably and fairly is complicated: group performance must be translated into individual grades and individual contribution is not necessarily apparent in the final product. Learn principles for effectively evaluating the both the process and product of group assignments and projects.

Understanding Experiential Learning

Friday, December 4, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Experiential learning is the process of learning by doing whereby students gain knowledge and skills through direct experience and reflection. Learn how experiential learning works and what makes it an effective instructional tool as we explore how to apply Kolb’s learning cycle in and out of the classroom.

Teaching Reflection – Fall 2026

Friday, December 11, 2026, 12 noon – 1:00 pm

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