Teaching and Learning Center

Learn how to apply to develop and teach a course based on YOUR doctoral research through the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows program! Graduate student fellows will receive tuition and fee remission during the quarter when they teach their course, provided they meet all eligibility requirements. Join the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) for an information session on January 22, 28, or February 2 to learn more about program requirements and the application process. Attend either session; the content will be duplicative.

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This session is part of the How do You Lead in Grad School? Series Join one of our most popular professional development workshops exploring conversational strategies to address complex student concerns that can arise in office hours. Participants will also learn about campus resources to support themselves and their students. Light refreshments will be served.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Ed.D., (she/her), Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3:00-4:00 pm Fridays: 12:00-1:00 pm Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00 pm Fridays: 9:00-10:00 am

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Ed.D., (she/her), Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3:00-4:00 pm Fridays: 12:00-1:00 pm Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2:00-3:00 pm Fridays: 9:00-10:00 am

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Large introductory chemistry courses generate extensive assessment, clickstream, and participation data, yet students rarely receive timely, actionable feedback that can meaningfully guide their learning. This project introduces a Python-based learning analytics pipeline designed to transform raw course data into individualized, interpretable reports that help students understand their progress, identify conceptual disparities, and make informed decisions about their study strategies. Preliminary analyses indicate that students who regularly engage with the reports demonstrate more accurate self-assessment, improved metacognitive strategy use, and more targeted help-seeking behaviors. This work demonstrates how instructor-created Python tools can scale personalized feedback in large-enrollment STEM courses, shifting analytics from a grading mechanism to a pedagogically meaningful resource that empowers student learning. Presenter Bio: Jocelyn E. (“Josie”) Nardo (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at The Ohio State University whose research examines how disciplinary norms in chemistry are experienced by students who are discouraged from pursuing or remaining in the field. She studies how course design, assessment practices, and departmental structures shape students’ day-to-day interactions with chemistry, with particular attention to students from communities historically pushed out of the discipline, including disabled students, LGBTQ+ students, first-generation college students, students with limited financial resources, and students of color. Her work on disability in chemistry learning environments, students’ help-seeking and learning ecosystems, and graduate program milestones has been published in Chemistry Education Research and Practice and the Journal of Chemical Education. She is PI and co-PI on grants from the Spencer Foundation, the National Science Foundation, UL Research Institutes, and The Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute and Student Academic Success Research Award program.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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Learn how to apply to develop and teach a course based on YOUR doctoral research through the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows program! Graduate student fellows will receive tuition and fee remission during the quarter when they teach their course, provided they meet all eligibility requirements. Join the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) for an information session on January 22, 28, or February 2 to learn more about program requirements and the application process. Attend either session; the content will be duplicative.

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Learn about the concept of differentiated instruction and explore how to effectively support students with varying academic backgrounds in large lectures, labs, and discussion sections. Through real-world scenarios and reflective activities, participants will identify common challenges, analyze inclusive teaching strategies, and consider how to adapt their practices to better support all learners. Presenter: Elyse Gueidon, Associate Director for Graduate Student Professional Development with Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement #differentiatedinstruction #realworldscenarios #commonchallenges Each academic quarter, the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) hosts a weekly series of 10+10 Pop-Up sessions on Zoom. These brief, 10-minute presentations focus on specific topics related to course design, teaching, learning, and assessment, and are led by instructional designers and developers from TLC and campus partners. The “+10” refers to an optional 10-minute discussion following each presentation, where participants can ask questions and share insights. These sessions are open to all UCLA instructors—including faculty, lecturers, instructors of record, graduate student instructors, and postdoctoral scholars. Please direct any inquiries to instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu.

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This foundational pedagogical workshop prepares participants to create student-centered and effective lesson plans using the framework of backward design. Participants will explore the three steps of backward design–developing student learning objectives, determining assessment evidence, and choosing activities and instruction – and practice applying that structure to design of sample lesson plans. This session is open to all instructors, including faculty, TAs, and postdocs. This workshop will be hosted in-person and facilitated by the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Please contact instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu if you have any questions.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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This workshop will introduce the foundational principles of effective university course design. Participants will explore the backward design approach to align learning objectives, assessments, and activities, and will be introduced to reflective practices that can enhance teaching and learning. Join the Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement unit of TLC for drop-in hours immediately after the workshop from 2-4pm to work on developing or refining a course in your field with support from TLC staff and peers.

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Work through questions about designing lesson plans and syllabi while enjoying refreshments and building community with fellow TAs and postdocs. TLC staff members from the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement (GSPSE) team will also be available for support.

#GraduateProfessional #Educational #Academic

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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This foundational pedagogical online workshop prepares participants to create student-centered and effective lesson plans using the framework of backward design. Participants will explore the three steps of backward design–developing student learning objectives, determining assessment evidence, and choosing activities and instruction – and practice applying that structure to design of sample lesson plans. This session is open to all instructors, including faculty, TAs, and postdocs. This online workshop will be facilitated by the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Register to receive the Zoom link. Please contact instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu if you have any questions.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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This session will introduce you to the new question personalization feature available in Explorance Blue, UCLA’s course feedback platform. Please join us to learn how you can add up to five additional questions to your Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) surveys. Presenter: Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager, Student Experience Initiatives, TLC #SET #questionpersonalization #exploranceblue #studentfeedback #newfeatures Each academic quarter, the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) hosts a weekly series of 10+10 Pop-Up sessions on Zoom. These brief, 10-minute presentations focus on specific topics related to course design, teaching, learning, and assessment, and are led by instructional designers and developers from TLC and campus partners. The “+10” refers to an optional 10-minute discussion following each presentation, where participants can ask questions and share insights. These sessions are open to all UCLA instructors—including faculty, lecturers, instructors of record, graduate student instructors, and postdoctoral scholars. Please direct any inquiries to instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu.

#GraduateProfessional #FacultyStaff #Educational #Academic

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m.

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What is trauma, and how does it impact student learning? This online workshop answers these questions with psychology and neuroscience-based research on the cognitive impacts of trauma, after which participants will explore principles of trauma-informed and care-centered pedagogy. Participants will practice applying a trauma-informed approach in case studies, in addition to identifying care-centered and compassionate teaching practices to support the learning of all students. This session is open to all instructors, including faculty, TAs, and postdocs. Register to receive the Zoom link. This workshop will be hosted and facilitated by the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). Please contact instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu if you have any questions.

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This session is designed for TAs and Postdocs The UCLA Dialogue across Difference Initiative (DaD) is offering this interactive workshop to provide graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with practical strategies to communicate across charged political differences in and out of the classroom. These skills are based on the methodology of Resetting the Table, a nationally-renowned organization dedicated to building honest and open communication. Lunch will be served.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

#FacultyStaff #Educational

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

#GraduateProfessional #FacultyStaff

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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In the age of generative AI, ensuring that students accomplish the first-year writing seminar learning objectives of defining their perspective and understanding writing as a process presents a unique concern. Taking the example of the first writing seminar "Los Angeles: City of Contradictions," this interactive talk presents a method of engaging students in a discovery process of the limits of AI and invites participants to experience it first hand. Presenter: Avery Weinman, Ph.D Candidate in History #taandpostdocteachingconferenceflashtalk #gamifyingGenAI #writingasaprocess Each academic quarter, the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) hosts a weekly series of 10+10 Pop-Up sessions on Zoom. These brief, 10-minute presentations focus on specific topics related to course design, teaching, learning, and assessment, and are led by instructional designers and developers from TLC and campus partners. The “+10” refers to an optional 10-minute discussion following each presentation, where participants can ask questions and share insights. These sessions are open to all UCLA instructors—including faculty, lecturers, instructors of record, graduate student instructors, and postdoctoral scholars. Please direct any inquiries to instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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The UCLA Teaching and Learning Center’s (TLC) Instructional Design and Media Production team will host the GenAI Tools Workshop Series to support instructors interested in thoughtfully exploring how to use Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to further enhance their teaching. Participants will build AI literacy, explore classroom integration strategies, and design meaningful learning activities that promote critical thinking and student engagement in the AI era. The first workshop in the series will explore how Google NotebookLM, an AI-powered notebook designed to help users organize, synthesize, and generate insights, can be used to support their class learning goals. During the workshop, we will explore and discuss -What is Google NotebookLM? -How to use it as a learning tool? -Writing tips for GenAI prompts -Sample uses of Google NotebookLM in an educational setting -Academic integrity considerations when introducing GenAI into a classroom By this end of this workshop, participants will be able to -Describe the core features and functions of Google NotebookLM and explain how it differs from other generative AI tools. -Demonstrate how to use NotebookLM to organize, summarize, and synthesize learning materials or course readings. -Apply effective prompt-writing strategies to guide AI toward producing relevant, accurate, and pedagogically useful responses. -Analyze sample educational scenarios that illustrate how NotebookLM can support student learning and critical thinking. -Evaluate issues of academic integrity, bias, and ethical use when integrating generative AI tools like NotebookLM into teaching and learning contexts.

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Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

#GraduateProfessional #FacultyStaff #Educational

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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Choosing the right AI tool can be a real challenge. This short presentation provides a practical framework, using the Diffusion of Innovation model, to help you choose the best tools. We will explore the five key attributes, which are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, trialability, and observability. The discussion will support you to confidently select GenAI solutions that enhance teaching and learning. Presenter: Sirui Wang, Senior Instructional Designer with Instructional Design and Media Production #GenAI #pick-your-innovation #diffusion-of-innovation #enhancing-teaching-and-learning Each academic quarter, the UCLA Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) hosts a weekly series of 10+10 Pop-Up sessions on Zoom. These brief, 10-minute presentations focus on specific topics related to course design, teaching, learning, and assessment, and are led by instructional designers and developers from TLC and campus partners. The “+10” refers to an optional 10-minute discussion following each presentation, where participants can ask questions and share insights. These sessions are open to all UCLA instructors—including faculty, lecturers, instructors of record, graduate student instructors, and postdoctoral scholars. Please direct any inquiries to instructorsupport@teaching.ucla.edu.

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Meet the TLC’s Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement (GSPSE) team at the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC)! Enjoy coffee and snacks while supplies last and chat with us about all of your TA training and other teaching-related professional development questions.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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As generative AI usage expands across academic settings, educators must decide when AI outputs can be trusted - and when they require verification. This 30-minute Zoom workshop introduces a “Trust, but Verify” framework that centers human judgment in working with AI-generated content. Through guided examples and discussion, participants will build shared language and critical awareness around evaluating AI outputs and exercising informed human oversight. Please contact idmp@teaching.ucla.edu if you have any questions.

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Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

#GraduateProfessional #Educational

Beginning Winter 2026, Student Experiences of Teaching (SET) will offer virtual drop-in hours with Cassidy Alvarado, Program Manager of Student Experience Initiatives. Instructors, Teaching Assistants, and Evaluation Coordinators can get support navigating Blue (UCLA’s course feedback platform), accessing reports, and more. Instructors and Teaching Assistants Mondays: 3–4 p.m. Fridays: Noon–1 p.m. Evaluation Coordinators and Department Staff Tuesdays: 2–3 p.m. Fridays: 9–10 a.m.

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The Practice and Play with EdTech series offers instructors a hands-on opportunity to explore teaching tools and strategies with TLC staff. Each session begins with a brief overview of a tool followed by a guided exercise and time to explore and apply the tool to participants’ own course. In this session, participants will explore how to leverage AI to support aspects of their teaching workflow — from brainstorming lesson plans to drafting assessments or developing grading strategies. Participants will experiment with Google Gemini and practice crafting prompts to support their courses. The session will also include time to critically assess AI-generated responses for accuracy, relevance, and bias. This session is designed for graduate students, TAs, and postdocs. All instructors are welcome to attend.

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Are you looking to refresh, rewrite, or rethink your syllabus? Are you designing a new course, and want to learn about best practices for syllabus design? Join the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) for a co-working and peer review session during which you will look at example syllabi; consider backward design principles for syllabus design; explore strategies to foster belonging in your syllabus; and, finally, create a digitally accessible syllabus. This session is open to all instructors, including TAs and postdocs.

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Join the TLC for TA and postdoc drop-in hours, social grading edition! Work through end-of-quarter grading while enjoying refreshments and building community with your fellow TAs. TLC staff members from the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Engagement (GSPSE) team will also be available to support you.

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