Professional Development
“Professional development is constantly evolving, but thanks to the digital age, it’s more accessible than ever. With growing access to information, resources, and opportunities, advancing your career no longer means navigating a difficult or traditional path alone.”
Professional development in teaching and learning is supported by a wide range of valuable resources, such as teaching assistantships, pedagogy workshops, learning communities, and classroom observations. These opportunities help individuals strengthen their instructional skills, expand their career pathways in education, and build the professional competencies needed for success in academic settings. By connecting professional growth with accessible, well-rounded support, we empower current and future educators to thrive in dynamic and evolving teaching environments.
Events and Conferences
CITL hosts a variety of conferences that foster community, networking, and collaborative learning:
- Annual Faculty Retreat – An engaging, university-wide gathering that brings together faculty from all disciplines to exchange ideas, build community, and deepen their teaching practice. The retreat also provides a space to celebrate teaching accomplishments and foster cross-campus connections.
- Lincoln Legacy Teaching and Learning Community (LLTLC) – LLTLC, formerly known as the Faculty Summer Institute, is a long-standing annual event that brings together educators and instructional technology professionals to explore innovative teaching practices and educational technologies. Held each May at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, LLTLC offers hands-on workshops, practical training, and a vibrant community dedicated to advancing teaching excellence.
- Reimagining the Classroom Symposium – a dynamic event that explores how classroom design, teaching strategies, and emerging technologies intersect to enhance student engagement and success. Aligned with the university’s Strategic 150 goal, the symposium offers presentations, discussions, and hands-on experiences focused on creating flexible, student-centered learning environments.
- Art of Teaching Lunchtime Seminar Series
For those seeking flexible, bite-sized professional development, CITL offers the Art of Teaching Lunchtime Seminar Series – A virtual series held over lunch hours that explores timely topics in teaching and learning. These sessions are ideal for quick engagement and professional growth during the workday.
CITL Teaching & Learning Workshops
CITL offers dynamic workshops to enhance your teaching skills, whether you prefer in-person, online, or hybrid formats. Our sessions cover innovative pedagogies, effective assessment, educational technology, and fostering inclusive learning environments. We provide practical, research-based strategies to enrich your courses and elevate student success. Check out the full workshop schedule on the CITL calendar for details and registration.
Asynchronous Learning Modules
If you prefer to learn at your own pace, CITL also supports self-paced, asynchronous learning through several online modules available year-round:
- Canvas 101 – A foundational course for instructors new to Canvas, the campus learning management system.
- Introduction to Course Design – An online module that guides educators through essential principles and practices of designing effective college-level courses.
- Introduction to Teaching Online – This online module covers strategies, tools, and best practices for teaching in fully online environments.