Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Tag: Breana Bayraktar

Deadline: Faculty Learning Community: Alternative Grading

Register here by Friday, January 23 | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

FLC #1 Wednesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb. 25, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6
FLC #2 Thursdays @ 2:00-3:15pm on Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb. 26, March 19, April 9, April 23, May 7

Interested in exploring alternative grading in a supportive and collaborative space? Join one of the Alternative Grading Learning Communities! Over the semester we will engage in a learning community, participate in a design workshop, and then share & get feedback on our re-designed grading systems at a charrette. Participants could be eligible for up to $100 in gift cards!

Learning Community Meetings: We will meet via Zoom to discuss Grading for Growth (David Clark and Robert Talbert). You can choose to register for either learning community.
FLC #1 Wednesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb. 25, March 18, April 8, April 22, May 6
FLC #2 Thursdays @ 2:00-3:15pm on Jan 29, Feb 12, Feb. 26, March 19, April 9, April 23, May 7
*If these dates do not work for you, join the NVCC-hosted FLC on alternate Tuesdays, 4-5pm, starting Feb 3

Design Workshop: We will work through Chapter 11 of the Grading for Growth book – this is an opportunity to put into practice what we have read and talked about, by re-designing a course grading scheme. Participants from all FLCs will gather via Zoom on Wednesday, May 20, 10am-2pm.

NOVA-GMU Charrette: A charrette is an opportunity to collaboratively design and get feedback from peers – bring in-progress grading scheme drafts to share in this full-day workshop on Friday, June 5 (in-person at the NOVA Annandale Campus).

Research Participation: You are invited to participate in a research study exploring your experience in these learning communities. Participants who complete a brief post-meeting reflection (5-7 minutes) after each meeting will receive a $50 gift card, and participants who attend the design workshop and charrette are eligible for another $50 gift card.

Questions? Email Breana Bayraktar ([email protected]).

FLC open to GMU and non-GMU faculty/instructors

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

AI Series: Communicating With Learners About Ethical AI Use

Register here | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

This interactive workshop is designed to help you effectively communicate with students about ethical AI use in your courses. This hands-on session will guide you in creating course policies that promote an ethical AI culture. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and individual work, you will develop a coherent AI policy tailored to your courses and gain practical strategies for guiding your students in responsible AI use. Audience: all instructors/graduate students.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Faculty Learning Community #2: Alternative Grading

Register here. | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

A Learning Community (LC) is a collaborative space where instructors, staff, and graduate students can come together to explore specific themes or issues related to teaching and learning. Regular meetings provide opportunities for reflective practice, where participants share and provide peer feedback. In these Alternative Grading Learning Communities, we will explore how different grading approaches can transform the way we evaluate and respond to student work. Participants who complete all of the pre- and post-meeting reflections/surveys will receive a $50 gift card.

  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #1: Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Sept. 9, Sept 30, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 9
  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #2: Wednesdays @ 1:00-2:15pm on Sept 10, Oct 1, Oct 22, Nov 12, and Dec 3

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Faculty Learning Community #1: Alternative Grading

Register here. | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

A Learning Community (LC) is a collaborative space where instructors, staff, and graduate students can come together to explore specific themes or issues related to teaching and learning. Regular meetings provide opportunities for reflective practice, where participants share and provide peer feedback. In these Alternative Grading Learning Communities, we will explore how different grading approaches can transform the way we evaluate and respond to student work. Participants who complete all of the pre- and post-meeting reflections/surveys will receive a $50 gift card.

  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #1: Tuesdays @ 7:00-8:15pm on Sept. 9, Sept 30, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 9
  • LEARNING COMMUNITY #2: Wednesdays @ 1:00-2:15pm on Sept 10, Oct 1, Oct 22, Nov 12, and Dec 3

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Info Session: AI in Teaching & Learning Project

Register here. | Facilitator: Breana Bayraktar

Discover the Next Phase of the AI in Teaching and Learning Project

Over the past two years, the AI in Teaching and Learning project has brought together faculty, staff, and students from across the state to explore how AI is reshaping higher education. Our first phase focused on research into faculty and student experiences with AI, and our second phase developed evidence-based educational resources—covering student onboarding, assignment design, assessment, accessibility, OER, and more—to help instructors integrate AI ethically and effectively.

For the next phase (AY 2025–2026) we are recruiting faculty, staff, and students to join existing project teams or propose new ones. Project leads will guide you through planning, research design, IRB processes, and building cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations.

Join us for this informational session to learn how you can get involved, share your ideas, and help shape the future of AI in higher education.

Teaching Insight Week: Exploring Classroom Inquiry

Register here.

You tried a new pedagogical approach or curricular innovation and it seemed to work! If you had studied the impact of that teaching change on your students’ learning, you would have been engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, which invites you to examine your classroom practices systematically, improve your teaching based on your findings, and then share your findings with others.

Teaching Insight Week (Sept 29-Oct 6) is a semi-synchronous mini-course with both live meetings and asynchronous activities. You will have several group and one-on-one opportunities to learn about classroom-based inquiry and how to plan and carry out research on teaching and learning. In between the live meetings on Monday, Sept 29 and Monday, Oct 6, you’ll have a short video to watch and activity to complete each day. Please register before September 29.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.