New to the U: Faculty Teaching Orientation

Coffee and check in

Opening prayer
Elder Evelyn Day

Welcome
Bill Flanagan, President and Vice-Chancellor
Kathryn Todd, Deputy Provost (Academic)

Learning at the University of Alberta
Faculty often have their favourite professor from their student days who inspired them and who, intentionally or not, they emulate in the classroom. While this works for some students, today's undergraduate and graduate students come from diverse backgrounds, and their learning needs have altered with our changing times. Who are your U of A students? Drawing on data gathered in 2023-2024 and insights from the Student Experience Action Plan, this session will build your understanding of students at the University of Alberta, giving you critical insight into the students who choose the U of A as their place of learning.

Coffee break and networking

Teaching at the University of Alberta
Exciting changes have been afoot at the U of A over the last few years. We have articulated our goals and commitments through the U of A strategic and action plans that shape teaching and learning initiatives, including Artificial Intelligence, multifaceted evaluation of teaching, a new Learning Management System, our Indigenous Strategic Plan, Braiding Past, Present and Future, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. In this session, institutional leaders will share their vision of teaching and learning at the University of Alberta, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions to deepen your understanding of the teaching and learning context at the U of A. By the end of the hour, you will better understand how you can contribute to our shared goals in creating transformative student learning experiences and know where to go to read more about recent and established teaching policies and procedures.

Lunching with your teaching support team
Knowing who you can turn to for teaching support is essential in your first days, weeks, and terms at the U of A. In this session, you will meet just a few people ready to support you in your teaching journey:

• teaching and learning experts at the Centre for Teaching and Learning who are ready to support you in all aspects of your teaching practice through services and programming.
• librarians who support instructors through services and programming.
• wellness support staff who guide instructors in managing students’ mental health and well-being concerns.
• education technology professionals who help instructors create engaging and interactive learning environments in the U of A Learning Management System (LMS).

Following introductions, you will have the opportunity to engage with your teaching support team over lunch.

U of A’s learning management system*
Whether you are getting set up in the LMS for the first time or have questions about particular aspects of instructional design and functionality, this session will connect you with the information you need and the people you need to meet to create a compelling and accessible course site that fosters a student-centered learning environment.

*Please bring your device for the LMS session.

Round table conversations with the Teaching Award Winners
U of A is home to exceptional educators who exemplify teaching innovation and commitment to creating impactful and inclusive learning experiences for our students. In this session, U of A’s Teaching Award Winners will share words of advice they have (or wisdom they have received from others that were helpful to them) about teaching in 2024, this moment in time and growth at the U of A. The Teaching Award Winners will then engage in round-table discussions to answer your questions about teaching at the U of A.

Faculty first steps: Starting strong in your new role
Facilitators: Organizational Development, Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment

In a new role at our large U15 institution, faculty and instructional staff need to know where to go for various services such as benefits and employment logistics, and where to find resources supporting orientation, and professional development.

In this session, Organizational Development and Talent Management will share resources designed to help you in navigate the U of A infrastructure and integrate smoothly into the broader campus community.

Wrap-up