UB TaLCK

Teaching is stressful, so we've created a group to address that concern. UBTaLCK, which is an acronym for UB Teaching and Learning Community of Knowledge, is a Community of Practice aimed to assist faculty with best pedagogical practices and classroom strategies.

Our Community of Practice meets via Zoom once per week to address teaching concerns, discuss classroom strategies and share resources along with best classroom strategies and practices suggested by you, for you. What better way to improve your teaching skills than by learning from fellow educators who have the same experiences as you. Utilizing resources found at UB always proves helpful, therefore our group invites and welcomes collaboration throughout UB.

A sampling of topics from our community of practice:

  • Course evaluations: the many levels of importance they play, and what can be done to improve them
  • Gamification in the classroom: pros and cons
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion strategies
  • Rubrics, other grading design and alternate grading styles tips and tricks
  • Peer evaluation: how to provide better feedback
  • Academic integrity: working with our campus resources

when:

Sessions hosted via Zoom with specific dates TBD.

Founders:

Maggie Grady, Learning Designer
Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation

Jessica Kruger, Ph.D., MCHES®
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior
Director of Teaching Innovation and Excellence in the School of Public Health and Health Professions

Fall 2024 Schedule

Session Date:

Session Topic:

Session Description:
9/10/24 Addressing Skill Gaps in Incoming Students Strategies to support students arriving with skills below the expected level as the semester begins.
9/17/24 Setting Expectations for Students in 2024
 Aligning and establishing expectations with the new student cohort early in the semester.
9/24/24 Post-Pandemic Student Engagement
 Addressing the lingering effects of the pandemic on student engagement in the classroom.
10/1/24 Best Practices for Working with TAs
 Guidance on how to effectively utilize graduate and undergraduate TAs, especially in large or new courses.
10/8/24 Maintaining Academic Rigor and Balancing Course Expectations
 Discussing ways to ensure academic standards are upheld while managing student workload and expectations.
10/15/24 No session
  
10/22/24 AI Integration in Teaching
 Exploring and implementing AI tools to enhance teaching and promote student skill-building throughout the semester.
10/29/24 Improving Student Engagement
 Strategies to boost student participation both inside and outside UB Learns.
11/5/24 Effective Peer Evaluation and Peer Learning
 Methods to refine peer evaluation and peer learning practices to improve collaboration and feedback.
11/12/24 Credit Hour Calculations and Course Development
 Understanding and applying the relationship between credit hours, course development, and workload as new courses are designed or adjusted.
11/19/24 Alternative Grading Strategies
 Exploring and possibly piloting grading methods such as grade contracts, ungrading, and proficiency-based assessment.
11/26/24 No session
  
12/3/24 Navigating Departmental Challenges Related to Enrollments
 Addressing any enrollment challenges that impact teaching and course management as they arise during the semester.
12/10/24 Professional Development
 Gathering input on the types of faculty training and support opportunities needed, and brainstorming strategies to increase participation in professional development sessions.

Join our Community