Welcome to the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center! Our primary mission is to support the university’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. Whether you’re an advisor looking for professional development workshops, a faculty member interested in talking about your teaching or considering how to implement service learning in your course, or a graduate student looking for resources and ways to improve your teaching, we can help!
Please note that there are a variety of session formats on this listing. In-person sessions have the room number listed and often include a Zoom link for those that need a virtual option (with a few exceptions). Virtual sessions will have the Zoom link provided in the location and description.
Please click on the session title to for the description and option to register.
- Nov10Mon
Effects of AI-feedback on advanced L2 German learners’ writing – (November 10, 2025 02:00 PM – 02:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 34
Many scholars express concern over students' use of AI in academic work, but whether we embrace it or not, AI is here to stay. This presentation will offer a practical example of how AI can be thoughtfully integrated into the foreign language classroom, specifically in a way that still challenges students to think critically and engage actively with their own work. Over the course of two semesters, advanced learners of German used AI tools to improve their writing. In the first step, students wrote various texts in class without any AI assistance. After completing their drafts, they submitted them to an AI program using a prompt that instructed the AI to “highlight and explain but not correct” any errors. The AI provided detailed explanations of the mistakes, which students then used to revise their work independently. These "first revised drafts" (including first drafts and AI feedback) were submitted to the instructor for feedback and grading. Based on the instructor’s feedback, students made further revisions and submitted a final version of their texts. In this presentation, we will walk through the procedure in detail, share sample texts and AI feedback, and discuss the instructor’s and students' and reflections, as collected through a survey. The goal is to encourage fellow (foreign) language instructors—and anyone else who asks students to write essays, reports, or other assignments— to implement AI in their teaching in meaningful ways. This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely: Teams link Meeting ID: 221 378 248 379 7 Passcode: 2DR2Xy6C
- Nov11Tue
TAI: AI as Virtual Teaching Assistant – (November 11, 2025 02:00 PM – 02:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 4
Generative AI (AI) presents many challenges for educators, but this emerging technology also presents opportunities to improve student learning and lessen the burden on faculty. In a sense, AI can be use as a virtual “TA” to assist with reviewing, creating, and even assessing class materials. The workshop will also address the potential pitfalls of using AI, including inaccurate information and balancing faculties’ own use of AI with restrictions placed on student use. This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Meeting ID: 215 555 920 182 3
Passcode: HN9Y97Xv
- Nov12Wed
Dialing It In: The Art of the Public Interview – (November 12, 2025 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 34
As scholars and teachers, faculty are often invited to comment upon areas of their expertise and its relation to matters of public policy: linking history, sociology, sciences, economics, and related scholarly disciplines to topics of the day. As academics, we are adept with our knowledge, and with calibrating our presentation of that knowledge to the audiences we are addressing. But either conducting or responding to an interview can provide its own challenges and opportunities: how to ask, and how to answer, and how to tailor our questions and responses in a fashion that maximizes clarity and minimizes potential distortions. In this 50-minute presentation, Christopher Smith, professor of musicology and founding director of the Vernacular Music Center, a veteran of three decades in public radio, co-director of Reciprocal Studios podcasting consultancy, and showrunner of three ongoing podcasts (SOUNDING HISTORY, VOICES FROM THE VERNACULAR MUSIC CENTER, and THE BASSANDA PODCAST), will provide guidelines, visualizations, participatory exercises, best practices, and technical advice that help academics “dial in” their capacity for effective, accessible, engaging, and rewarding interview experiences, on both sides of the microphone. Teams Link Meeting ID: 210 288 269 353 1 Passcode: qh73nh9E
- Nov13Thu
Auto-Grading with AI and Large Language Models – (November 13, 2025 09:30 AM – 10:20 AM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 25
With the rise and widespread adoption of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) in recent years, extensive research has been conducted on their applications across various domains. One such domain is education, where a key area of interest for researchers is investigating the implementation and reliability of LLMs in grading student responses. In this talk, I will discuss how LLMs have been used in grading across six academic sub-fields: educational assessment, essay grading, natural sciences and technology, social sciences and humanities, computer science and engineering, and mathematics. I will also discuss what prompting techniques have been used employed in building those systems and the effectiveness of LLM based grading for both structured and open-ended responses. This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Meeting ID: 226 618 674 300 5Passcode: WR3nd6jd - Nov13Thu
Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity – (November 13, 2025 03:00 PM – 04:20 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 13
Why do some students see academic integrity as an outdated formality while faculty view it as fundamental to education? This interactive workshop facilitated by Barbie Chambers and Mitzi Ziegner from the TLPDC explores the gaps that shape how we and our students approach academic honesty. You'll discover practical strategies for moving beyond rule enforcement to meaningful conversations about character and professional preparation. Through real scenarios and discussion, we'll explore innovative ways to help students embrace integrity as a cornerstone of their Red Raider identity. Join us to transform how you think about and teach academic honor! This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Meeting ID: 218 322 364 287 6Passcode: Pz3xT3uU - Nov14Fri
Mind Your Mind – Nurturing Mental Wellness – (November 14, 2025 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 15
An introduction to evidence-based strategies for maintaining mental well-being in academia. Learn practical tools for managing stress, promoting resilience, and fostering a healthy work-life balance as you begin your faculty journey. This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Meeting ID: 242 984 966 110 8Passcode: ob2pY6rh - Nov14Fri
Raider Success Hub Fundamentals for Faculty – (November 14, 2025 01:00 PM – 01:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 151
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 151
Available Seats: 70
Raider Success Hub (RSH) is Texas Tech’s centralized platform for supporting student success. In this training, faculty will learn basic navigation of the system, how to view student information, submit alerts, complete progress surveys, and more. Faculty play a critical role in student success, and this session will demonstrate how RSH makes it easier to offer timely support and connect students to the right resources at the right time. This workshop session is designed to be delivered in a face-to-face format; however, we understand that you might need to attend remotely for a variety of reasons. Please use this link to join the conversation remotely:
Meeting ID: 276 964 546 675 0Passcode: f2Dr6Tc7 - Nov17Mon
Mentorship Series: Maintaining Effective Communication – (November 17, 2025 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 24
Effective communication is foundational to successful mentoring relationships. While many recognize good communication when they experience it, mentors must deliberately cultivate and practice these skills. In this interactive session, participants will identify key characteristics of effective communication and engage in practical exercises to strengthen their mentoring dialogue. TLPDC 153 and TEAMS for remote faculty:
Microsoft Teams Need help?Meeting ID: 243 624 458 640 53Passcode: Wf9DC3Qh
Phone conference ID: 805 730 546# - Nov18Tue
Collaborative Feedback in Academia – (November 18, 2025 12:30 PM – 01:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 16
Facilitator: Dr. Lisa Garner Santa What if giving feedback could be energizing, even enjoyable? In this session, we’ll explore how feedback, when grounded in connection and mutual respect, can become a two-way exchange that strengthens both mentoring relationships and institutional culture. Through the lens of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we’ll examine how to move from “power over” or “power under” toward “power with,” where everyone’s needs matter. Participants will practice using observations, feelings, needs, and requests to engage in feedback conversations that are clear, kind, and co-created. When mentoring becomes a collaborative process, feedback becomes not only possible but meaningful and rewarding. IFE Path I and II
- Nov20Thu
STEP Partnership Power Hour – (November 20, 2025 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 28
The STEP Program Faculty Power Hour, held in the Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center (TLPDC), is an open-format, bi-weekly conversation designed by faculty, for faculty. Twice per month, a STEP Program Scholar will share a specific, actionable tip to enhance the classroom experience for both instructors and students. You'll hear directly how the implementation of these tips has transformed classroom dynamics. Half of our time will be dedicated to collaborative discussion on adapting these suggestions to fit your unique classroom environment. You will leave with a clear implementation strategy, ready for use in your very next class period. All Instructors of all ranks are invited and lunch is provided.
- Nov20Thu
Award Information Session: Tips for improving your application for the Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award – (November 20, 2025 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 36
Join the Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award Selection Committee Chair, Courtney Meyers, for this informational session about preparing an application for your department. She will offer insight on the committee's selection process, give advice based on past applications, and answer any questions you might have about building a strong application. For more information about this award, please visit the Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award webpage. Teams Link Meeting ID: 253 928 187 202 4 Passcode: Ny6YA6vY
- Feb9Mon
Narrative & Impact: Crafting Your Story for Promotion – (February 9, 2026 01:30 PM – 02:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 32
Facilitator Dr. Rob Peaslee
In this session, we will integrate creative storytelling concepts to explore strategies for writing compelling research, teaching, service, and outreach/engagement narratives in pursuit of professional advancement. Goals for the session include providing general guidance for storytelling with an audience in mind, effectively integrating characters (including yourself and your colleagues), leveraging conflict in service of a good story, and demonstrating that your story has “legs” (that is, that it will continue in an exciting direction).
TLPDC 153 or TEAMS Microsoft Teams Need help? Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 223 856 614 811 0 Passcode: 2G3Cf9Bo Dial in by phone +1 806-412-1525,,452051631# United States, Lubbock Find a local number Phone conference ID: 452 051 631# For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN ________________________________________________________________________________