Jumpstart the Fall 2025 semester with the CTL

CTL Jumpstart: Fall ’25 Edition

The start of a semester is more than a to-do list; it’s a moment to recalibrate, revisit what matters, reconnect with your teaching community, and recommit to your goals for student learning. We hope you’ll join us for these sessions designed to launch instructors into the new academic year with direction and momentum.

What’s on the CTL calendar for WashU instructors in August

Here’s a curated look at key sessions to jumpstart your Fall 2025 planning; click on the titles to learn more and register. 

• Wednesday, August 13
  • Introduction to Poll Everywhere (Tech Training via Zoom, 11:00–12:00 pm)
    Get to know Poll Everywhere, a powerful educational engagement tool instructors can use for real-time polling, quizzes, Q&A, and more!
  • Introduction to Padlet & AI Features (Tech Training via Zoom, 2:00–3:00 pm)
    Explore Padlet’s collaboration tools and new AI features to create interactive boards, generate content, and boost student engagement.
    
• Monday, August 18 
  • “Too Much Reading”: Estimating Student Workload (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 10:00–10:30 am)
    Learn to realistically assess student workload using data and practical tools to support more effective, balanced, and student-centered course planning.
  • Hypothesis: Activating Annotation (Tech Training via Zoom, 11:00–12:00 pm)
    Explore how collaborative annotation with Hypothes.is can boost student engagement, critical thinking, and inclusive participation through hands-on practice and real course examples. Great for all experience levels.
  • Introduction to Piazza (Tech Training via Zoom, 12:30–1:00 pm)
    Discover how Piazza fosters an interactive online space for discussion and Q&A, where students can collaborate anytime. Learn how wiki-style formatting, anonymous posting, instructor endorsements, and engagement stats can enhance participation and keep your class on track.
  • Demystifying the Edtech Landscape at WashU (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 1:30–2:00 pm)
    Explore dozens of free educational technology tools available at WashU. Learn about supported tools, how to get help, and how to request new technology.
  • Introduction to Alternative Grading (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 3:00–3:30 pm)
    Curious about alternative grading systems like ungrading or specs grading? Join us to share experiences, bring perspective, and get practical next steps for rethinking your grading approach.
• Tuesday, August 19
  • Equitable and Effective STEM Teaching: a Report from the National Academies (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 9:00–9:30 am)
    Explore key takeaways from the National Academies’ 2025 report on equitable STEM teaching and how its findings can inform and strengthen STEM education at WashU.
  • Learning Student Names (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 10:00–10:30 am)
    Learning student names fosters inclusion and engagement, but it isn’t always easy. This session shares research-based strategies and tools to help you confidently connect names with faces all semester long.
  • Introduction to Teaching and AI (Faculty Workshop in person on Danforth Campus, 1:00–2:30 pm)
    Curious about using AI in your teaching? This interactive workshop introduces key concepts, explores educational uses of LLMs like ChatGPT, and offers hands-on practice with tools and prompt design.
  • Course AI Policies (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 3:30–4:00 pm)
    As AI becomes a common part of student workflows, this session offers guidance on crafting clear, goal-aligned syllabus policies through sample language, discipline-specific approaches, and practical discussion.
• Wednesday, August 20
  • Canvas Hidden Treasures: Tips & Tricks (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 10:30–11:00 am)
    Discover new Canvas features that can boost productivity and enhance student engagement; perfect for both new and experienced users.
  • Assessment in the Age of AI (Faculty Workshop in person on Danforth Campus, 12:00–1:30 pm)
    Explore how AI is reshaping assessment in this hands-on workshop, featuring strategies for AI-resistant design, alternative formats, and thoughtful integration to support academic integrity and innovation.
  • Finishing Up Your Syllabus (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 3:00–3:30 pm)
    As the semester approaches, join us to refine your syllabus with strategies that support clarity, inclusion, and a strong evidence-based foundation for student belonging and success from day one.
  • Easy Wins: Low‑Prep Active Learning (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 3:30–4:00 pm)
    Explore low-prep, high-impact active learning strategies you can easily incorporate into your next class to boost engagement without adding to your workload.
• Thursday, August 21
  • Building Community with Instructor Trivia (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 9:00–9:30 am)
    Looking for a way to connect with your students and build community? Teaching Professor Janie Brennan will explain an “Instructor Trivia” exercise and share results from an ongoing study into its effectiveness.
  • Teaching in the Current Social & Political Moment (Faculty Workshop in person on Danforth Campus, 10:00–11:30 am)
    Funding cuts, deportations, DEI backlash, war, anti-trans policies and more: today’s social and political climate shapes our classrooms. This workshop provides space for structured, peer-led conversation on what these challenges mean for instructors.
  • Introduction to Equatio (Tech Training via Zoom, 11:00 am–12:00 pm)
    Learn how to create accessible, digital math and STEM content with Equatio—a user-friendly tool that lets you type, speak, or handwrite equations and integrates seamlessly with Google Docs and Canvas.
  • Making the First Day of Class Count (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 1:00 pm–1:30 pm)
    The first day of class sets the stage for the entire semester. Learn how to use it to build community, foster inclusion, and support student belonging from day one.
  • Innovate with AI: Designing Engaging Learning Experiences (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 2:00 pm–2:30 pm)
    Discover practical ways to use generative AI to enhance course design and boost student engagement through creative, effective prompting.
    
• Friday, August 22
  • Just‑in‑Time Workshop on Learning Objectives (Faculty Workshop in person on Danforth Campus, 10:00–11:30 am)
    Join us for a hands-on workshop focused on writing meaningful learning objectives. Leave with a key part of your syllabus complete; plus coffee, pastries, and great conversation.
  • Course AI Policies (Virtual Conversation via Zoom, 12:00–12:30 pm)
    As AI becomes a common part of student workflows, this session offers guidance on crafting clear, goal-aligned syllabus policies through sample language, discipline-specific approaches, and practical discussion.

And don’t forget our ultimate tailored-to-you programming: confidential consultations with our pro staff. The CTL Educational Developers are your go-to resource for all things teaching. We specialize in helping instructors to build courses, improve their teaching, and work through any issues that come up along the way. We hold consultations in whatever way works best for you: in-person, over the phone, or virtual. Book a chat with us and we’ll help get your new year off to a powerful pedagogical start!