06/15/2023
By Julie Nash

We are excited to announce the CELT 2023 summer LEARNER FOCUSED workshops series. Our goal for these workshops is to help faculty achieve a learner focused classroom where students’ needs, aspirations , and learning are placed center stage. Check out the offerings below and RSVP today! We would love to see you in as many workshops as possible!


Facilitating Community in the Classroom
Facilitated by: Matt Hurwitz
August 1, 2023. 10-11 a.m. Zoom

RSVP for Facilitating Community in the Classroom

What makes a classroom feel like a community? How can faculty foster an environment of interconnected learning and camaraderie? Join this CELT workshop to learn about different strategies for–and challenges to–creating this kind of active learning community. Participants in this workshop can expect to:

  • Develop your teaching goals towards creating a strong classroom community;
  • Explore ways to help your students form a sense of shared purpose in the classroom with you as their instructor and their peers;
  • Learn about activities that you can utilize to create a strong sense of community among students.
Service-Learning Workshops (Special 2-part series)
Facilitated by: Diana Archibald


As UMass Lowell is embarking on its new strategic plan with a focus on partnering with our community for mutual benefit, it’s indispensable to educate our students on how to interact with the communities they are part of. Wondering how you can utilize service-learning pedagogy? Join us for this special two-part CELT workshop series to explore how to design and incorporate this academic exercise in your classroom to promote students’ learning!
High-Impact Pedagogies in Practice: An Introduction to Service-Learning
August 2, 2023. 10-11 a.m. Zoom


RSVP for High-Impact Pedagogies 

The American Association of Colleges and universities lists Service-Learning (AKA Community-based Learning) as one of eleven “high-impact practices.” [https://www.aacu.org/trending-topics/high-impact] This workshop will explain why Service-Learning can have such a tremendous positive effect on student learning and engagement. We will discuss the challenges and rewards of this pedagogical tool in practice. Participants in the workshop will be able to:
  • Define service-learning and explain the intertwining of its three essential parts: 1) meeting course learning objectives, 2) through community-based engagement meeting real needs, and 3) engaging in deep and ongoing reflection about both service and learning.
  • Evaluate the challenges of service-learning in practice, weigh them against expected positive student outcomes, and consider whether, when, and how much service-learning you would like to use in your courses.
  • Identify potential hurdles and sources of support.
Creating Service-Learning Assignments for Any Course Level
Aug. 10, 2023. 10-11 a.m. Zoom


RSVP for Creating Service-Learning Assignments

This hands-on workshop will guide participants through the process of developing meaningful, sustainable, and engaging service-learning assignments. You will plan an assignment that springs from and helps students fulfill the learning objectives of a particular course you teach. A next steps packet will be available to help you finish developing your assignment. Participants in the workshop will:
  • Identify which course learning objectives are best able to be met through a service-learning assignment.
  • Brainstorm what that assignment might entail (form of community engagement, possible deliverables, etc.) and how reflection will be integrated.
  • Define the scope of the assignment and determine which current assignment, exam, or other activity that it will replace.
  • Brainstorm community partners who might be interested in collaborating with a class to meet their needs.
How to Provide Individuated Instruction and SURVIVE
Facilitated by: Alison Hamilton and Adam St. Jean
Aug. 3, 2023. 11 a.m.-noon Zoom
RSVP for How to Provide Individuated Instruction

Do you want to exploit the benefits of learning together, while also providing opportunities for more individualized development? How can you, as a teacher, combine the two approaches? Join this CELT workshop to explore effective tools on individual instruction strategies. Participants of this workshop can expect to learn more on:
  • Balancing different styles of instruction to meet your students’ needs;
  • Exploring hands-on activities that can help with implementing experiences that are responsive to each student’s interests, strengths and needs.

A 2023 Learner Centered Syllabus
Facilitated by: Rocío Rosales and Maria Clark
Aug. 8, 2023. 10-11 a.m. Zoom


RSVP for Learner Centered Syllabus

Does a learner-centered syllabus HELP students perceive their teachers as possessing more exemplary teaching characteristics (e.g. approachability, flexibility)? Does it help students remember more details and leave the classroom more informed on the subject matter? Join our CELT workshop to learn more on the advantages of developing a learner centered syllabus tailored to the Class of 2023 to serve as your first “handshake” with your students. Participants in this workshop can expect to:
  • Find out more about the characteristics of the students of this incoming class;
  • Learn ideas on how to develop syllabus to:
    • Prime students for success
    • Choose and frame course content
    • Provide students with goals and criteria
    • Prepare students for class and exams
Providing Meaningful Feedback to Students
Facilitated by: Ann Kronrod and Joseph Gonzales
Aug. 9, 2023. 11 a.m.-noon Zoom


RSVP for Providing Meaningful Feedback

What are the characteristics of effective feedback to students? How can feedback be utilized to encourage students’ efforts and achievements? Join this CELT workshop to learn different strategies for making feedback on student work more meaningful, manageable, and effective. Participants in this workshop can expect to:
  • Reflect on your own feedback strategies;
  • Learn more on the characteristics of effective feedback;
  • Leave with pedagogical strategies on incorporating effective feedback in your classrooms.
For questions, contact CELT@uml.edu