In collaboration with partners from across GW, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) is transforming our traditional Teaching Day into a full Teaching Month. With a variety of events planned in different formats, there’s something for every GW educator. Whether you’re eager to pick up a new teaching technique, have meaningful conversations, or simply want to meet and socialize, we look forward to seeing you at our events and celebrating teaching excellence with you throughout the month!
Explore specifics of each event below (listed chronologically under each heading) and RSVP to attend events of interest.
Attend a Special Event
Teaching Day: Fostering Constructive Dialogue
Details: Tuesday, September 30, 1:00–4:30 p.m., University Student Center
Teaching Month kicks off on Tuesday, September 30. At a time when meaningful dialogue feels both more important and harder to achieve than ever, join President Granberg, Provost Lach, and colleagues for a series of interactive workshops and a panel around constructive dialogue and civic engagement.
“How do students use A.I. (@ GW)?” University Seminar: A.I. & Writing
Details: Friday, October 24, 11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m., Corcoran Hall Rm. 104
To introduce how college students use and perceive generative A.I., Dr. Karen Singer-Freeman, associate dean of teaching and learning excellence, will discuss the findings of her recent study, Generative AI Usage Among University Students Depends on Academic Level and Task, with over 1200 students at a private U.S. university. Then, a panel of GW students will reflect on their own use of A.I. and their observations about A.I. use here.
Celebrate Assessment
Details: Friday, October 24, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Gelman Library Rm. 100 (National Churchill Leadership Center)
Email Karen Froslid-Jones, Associate Provost of Academic Planning and Assessment, to learn more about attending
Each year, dozens of dedicated faculty advance learning by assessing academic programs and finding ways to use the results to improve the student experience. This event celebrates this process and thanks faculty for their service. Come for a short welcome from the Associate Provost of Academic Planning and Assessment and the Director of Faculty Development in the Center for Teaching Excellence and hear from three faculty about their assessment success. Share best practices from your own experience. Coffee and treats will be served. Faculty invitations will be sent to those who submitted annual assessment reports this year.
Join a Teaching Group
Difficult Conversations Book Group
Details: Four 60-minute meetings, either in person or on Zoom, in late October and early November
Join your colleagues to read and discuss Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen. During four meetings, we’ll explore what the book can teach us about:
- Navigating challenging conversations in class or with individual students
- Enhancing facilitating of class discussions
- Mentoring or advising students
We plan to offer two groups, one meeting in person and one meeting virtually (you’ll be committed to the modality you choose; there will not be a hybrid option). We have hard copies of the book available for 20 participants who agree to attend at least three meetings.
Community of Practice: Designing for Student Learning in the Age of AI
Details: Three 60-minute meetings, either in person or on Zoom, once per month in October, November, and December. Time, day of week, and location are based on participant availability.
We are offering a collaborative space for GW educators to share and receive feedback on modifications to their courses and assignments in response to emerging AI technologies. By participating, you will:
- Develop and implement concrete changes to course design and assignments that respond to generative A.I. in your discipline
- Articulate approaches for talking about A.I. with your students
- Cultivate a peer network for sharing best practices, challenges, and solutions related to teaching in the age of generative A.I.
Teaching Network for Early Career Faculty
Details: Six two-hour cohort meetings on Tuesdays in October, November, January, and March
Starting in October, this annual cohort-based, collegial program is for faculty who consider themselves new or relatively new to teaching at GW. One of last year’s participants shared, “I walked away from this experience more knowledgeable, with tools, confidence in my teaching, and connected with a wonderful group of people.” Visit the Teaching Network webpage to learn more.
Explore what other teaching groups on campus have to offer
Small Teaching: Empowering Engagement: Teaching Innovations Committee, RGSS/CCAS
Details: Tuesday, October 7, 5:00–6:00 p.m., Tompkins 303
Are you looking for simple, effective ways to boost student engagement? At this interactive event, several faculty will share lightning-round presentations highlighting low-prep, high-impact strategies that work across disciplines. You’ll have the chance to explore new techniques, connect with colleagues, and leave with practical ideas you can implement right away in your own teaching! Please contact Sarah-Kay Hurst with any questions.
A.I. as a Teaching Tool: Teaching Excellence Committee, GWSB
Details: Friday, October 3, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, Duques 651 and via Zoom
We want deep student engagement, meaningful class discussion, and more critical thinking. While it often seems as though the prevalence of generative A.I. gets in the way of these goals, how might A.I. actually support and enhance student learning? Join Dr. Laura D'Antonio, Assistant Professor of International Business, to explore her use of Breakout Learning's A.I.-powered discussion tools in her classes, Global Value Chains, Global Disruptions, and Age of Globalization, to support more meaningful classroom discussion and learning. Learn more about the potential gains and pitfalls of integrating A.I. into the classroom, including necessary steps to comply with FERPA and other University guidelines on A.I. tools and student privacy.
Celebrate at a social event
Social Hour for Course Design Institute & Teaching Network Alumni
Details: Thursday, October 16, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Invitation only
Join Libraries & Academic Innovation and alumni from eleven years of the Course Design Institute and seven years of the Teaching Network for Early Career Faculty to reconnect over coffee and snacks at the GW Museum! This informal event is for alumni of these programs only. Please check your email for your invitation. If you are an alum and didn’t receive an invitation, please contact teaching@gwu.edu.
Learn from a CTE workshop
Register for workshops here to receive a calendar invitation and click on each workshop’s title to learn more. All our workshops in October are on Zoom.
- Where Are You with A.I. and Your Teaching? Wednesday, October 1, 12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
- What Is Alternative Grading, and Can It Work for You? Monday, October 6, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- Designing Rubrics to Support Assessment of Learning, Monday, October 13, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- Debate, Discussion, Dialogue: Structuring Engaging Classroom Conversations, Tuesday, October 14, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
- Intro to Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), Friday, October 17, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
- Mitigating A.I. Misuse by Flipping Your Classroom, Wednesday, October 22, 12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
- Crafting Feedback Your Students Will Use, Thursday, October 23, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
- Blackboard Makeover: Effective Changes in the Time You Have, Friday, October 24, 12:00 noon–12:30 p.m.
- Getting Students to Do the Reading, Monday, October 27, 12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
- Where Are You with A.I. and Your Teaching? Wednesday, October 29, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
- Lecture Slides Makeover: Effective Changes in the Time You Have, Friday, October 31, 12:00 noon–12:30 p.m.
