Programming and Communications

The CTSI Programming and Communications team is focused on enhancing the culture of teaching at the University of Toronto, through partnerships, resource development, community-building initiatives, workshop and program development, and showcasing effective teaching practices and innovations. For Programming and Communication metrics, see Appendix D & E.

HIGHLIGHTS

TRANSFORMING THE INSTRUCTIONAL LANDSCAPE (TIL) PROJECT WITH ACADEMIC & CAMPUS EVENTS (ACE)
As part of this initiative CTSI is collaborating with ACE to carry out data-gathering regarding newly redesigned or built Active Learning Classrooms (ALC) on the St. George Campus. In this collaborative project, which also includes work with Student Life’s Innovation Hub (iHub), the CTSI Programming and Communications team completed an environmental scan and are compiling resources from other institutions engaged in ALC initiatives. Team members are involved in the recently launched assessment project examining the interaction between the U of T administrative vision for these classrooms and instructors’ pedagogical approaches while teaching in these ALCs.

RETHINKING PROGRAMMING – LAUNCH OF THE CERTIFICATE OF EFFECTIVE UNIVERSITY TEACHING PRACTICE
The Programs and Communications team was involved in rethinking flagship programming for the unit. A program evaluation of the 8- week Fundamentals of University Teaching course (a CTSI-led course that ran for more than a decade) was conducted, along with an environmental scan of options for enhanced faculty pedagogical training. This culminated in the launch of a new pilot program, a partnership between CTSI and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). The Certificate in Effective University Teaching Practice is a one-year hybrid course (June 2019 – June 2020) that combines face-to-face workshops, online modules and a community of practice, culminating in a Certificate of Effective University Instruction offered through ACUE and endorsed by the American Council on Education. The early June launch saw 45 continuing appointment faculty members begin their journey in this program supported by two CTSI directors and two course facilitators (one faculty member and one CTSI staff member).

2019 TEACHING & LEARNING SYMPOSIUM – LEARNING SPACES + PLACES
The 2019 Teaching & Learning Symposium, Learning Spaces + Places, welcomed attendees to a plenary session featuring a keynote talk from Adam Finkelstein of McGill University and perspectives on learning spaces from U of T medical student Chika Oriuwa and alumnus Aditya Rau, followed by concurrent sessions led by U of T faculty, librarians and staff. This year, we welcomed 360 participants from across all three campuses, and featured several special sessions, including Welcome to My Classroom workshops in Myhal 150 and the iSchool User Experience Design Studio, along with a pedagogical workshop from the President’s Teaching Academy. As well, the culminating reception profiled research posters from the SoTL cohort and recipients of both the Learning & Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) and the Instructional Technology Innovation Fund (ITIF) institutional grants.

INTERSECTIONS

This year, CTSI staff partnered with team members from Online Learning Strategies to deliver a Course Design Day focused on hybrid learning and teaching.

Leading up to Fall 2018, the Programs and Communications team worked closely with ACT Support and Operations, ITS, the Quercus Communications Working Group, and divisions and departments across the university to ensure that the U of T community, in particular instructors and graduate students, were prepared for the full-implementation of Quercus. This included reminders to archive and move course content, promoting resources and training, and connecting individuals with educational technology support teams to assist in building new courses in Quercus.

CTSI continues to partner with the Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking at the Rotman School of Management to host the Teaching & Learning Symposium. This year marked the first use of EVE as a registration system for the Symposium, and team members worked closely with ACT and TATP staff to make this a smooth transition.

“CTSI always makes sure that instructors shine. They meet instructors where they are and help them become better with encouragement and understanding. The CTSI has been vital in welcoming me to the teaching community at U of T.”
Sarah Mayes-Tang, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Mathematics, Faculty of Arts & Science; 2018-20 U of T Teaching Fellow