Teaching Transformations Ivy+ Summit
The Teaching Transformations Summit is a yearly gathering of graduate students across Ivy Plus institutions who are especially committed to improving the support, discourse, and practice of pedagogy in higher education. Each year Columbia sends a select group to share teaching approaches and engage in a series of frank and generative discussions with colleagues at other institutions. The summit is a unique chance to form national connections with graduate students actively working to transform the academy through teaching development.
In 2024 this program will again run online, on April 26 from 12:00 – 3:00 pm ET.
Register by April 12
This year’s Ivy Plus Teaching Transformations Summit will run online on Friday, April 26 12-3pm ET. Former and current CTL Fellows (LTFs, TOFs, TAFs, CIRTL Fellows, FAAs, Teaching Consultants) are invited to register. The deadline for registration is April 12.
About the Summit
In what way are graduate students actively working to transform the academy through teaching development? This fundamental question takes on timely urgency given data about undergraduate motivation and retention, calls for inclusive teaching, the rapid evolution of digital learning tools, and a challenging academic employment landscape.
During the Ivy Plus Teaching Transformations Summit, current and former Fellows from CTLs across the Ivy League and other peer institutions gather to discuss topics of mutual interest in an unconference-style format. Past discussions have delved into topics such as: navigating strong emotions among students; creating intra-departmental support for graduate student teachers; improving the way that student evaluations are delivered and assessed; balancing teaching with research; practicing creative assessment; shifting between small and large class instruction; considering how teaching centers could expand support for graduate student professional development; and many others.
Participants come away with new ideas about improving teaching in higher education, as well as new connections to peers and CTL professionals across peer institutions who are dedicated to this advancement.
Participant testimonials
The summit turned out to be a great occasion to meet new people and get to know firsthand what other institutions are doing in the field of education. As a graduate student, I felt empowered because a certain kind of responsibility had been put on my shoulders. My view, as well as my colleagues’, was going to be listened to and (hopefully) taken into account for the design of new forms of teaching and learning. We were there because our opinions matter. In that sense, we were acting as ambassadors of our own work as educators.
– Almudena Marin-Cobos, doctoral candidate, Latin American and Iberian Cultures
Attending the Ivy Plus Teaching Transformations Summit was a terrific opportunity to share teaching experiences, forge new pedagogical ideas, and simply get to know colleagues from other institutions. During the day I had the opportunity to get peer feedback on a research assignment I am developing for future courses, which improved the assignment design immensely. I also received invaluable suggestions on future classroom activities and student assessment practices that I look forward to incorporating next semester.
– Kevin Windhauser, doctoral candidate, Department of English and Comparative Literature
The CTL is here for graduate students.
The Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning provides an array of support for graduate students in both their current and future teaching responsibilities.