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CETLI Teaching Seminars

CETLI Seminars are faculty groups that meet monthly through the academic year to explore particular teaching approaches and questions. Seminar discussions offer faculty the chance to explore topics by learning from a combination of colleagues' experiences and research on evidence-based teaching practices. These seminars may include short readings or class observations. Participants who join the year-long program, and participate in at least seven of the eight sessions, receive a $1,000 stipend.

Programs start each fall and sign-ups take place in late spring and summer.

Applications are now closed for the 2025-2026 Seminars.

Seminars for Academic Year 2025-2026

Teaching Large Classes

Creating meaningful learning experiences for large cohorts of students is a daunting task for even the most seasoned instructor. In this seminar, participants will explore ways to scaffold student learning in and out of class with the goal of supporting every student. Anyone overwhelmed by the size of their class and looking for new ideas is welcome to join.

Topics include:

  • Providing feedback and grading with efficiency.
  • Leveraging Canvas sites to streamline communication.
  • Developing strategies for making large lectures more interactive.
  • Participants will be invited to suggest additional topics of interest. 

Schedule: Thursdays from 1:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Teaching to Enable Every Student to Thrive

In the Teaching to Enable Every Student to Thrive seminar, faculty will explore strategies to foster an environment where students are welcomed, challenged, and supported. Through open discussion of their own perspectives as well as brief readings, participants will explore concrete strategies for teaching students with varied experiences and backgrounds while considering the challenges students face.

Topics include:
  • Helping students thrive to the best of their abilities.
  • Welcoming the full range of Penn students.
  • Messaging that all students are welcome in your field.
  • Exploring how teaching communicates that the varied experiences and backgrounds of our community are sources of intellectual vitality.
  • Making rigor effective.

Schedule: Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Senior Lecturers Group

The Senior Lecturers Seminar will bring together instructors in senior lecturer, or analogous, positions to work with peers on professional development as teachers, both improving their own practices and taking on greater leadership in their fields. 

Schedule: Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Using AI Productively for Teaching

In the Using AI Productively for Teaching Seminar, a cohort of faculty who have begun thinking about integrating AI into their classes will work together to consider productive uses of AI to support teaching and student learning. The group will engage in monthly conversations and hands-on activities to explore specific ways of applying AI in the classroom.

Topics include:

  • Determining how AI aligns with your course goals.
  • Setting expectations for student AI use.
  • Evaluating ethical considerations.
  • Supporting student and instructor AI literacy.
  • Using AI for assignments, productivity, and accessibility.

This seminar is full and no longer accepting applications.

Past Seminars

  • Active Learning
  • Open Expression & Civil Discourse 
  • Teaching Humanities in the 21st Century
  • SAIL (Structured Active In-class Learning) Seminar
  • Teaching Science

Programs For Faculty

Resources

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Innovation