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.
- Mar24Tue
STEP Partnerships Power Hour – (March 24, 2026 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 31
The STEP Faculty & Student Partnerships Program 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.
- Mar25Wed
Teaching (Media) in Times of Crisis: Lessons from the 2025 Society for Cinema and Media Conference – (March 25, 2026 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/92215697244
Available Seats: 290
Dr. Fareed Ben-Youssef comes to the TLPDC in a Zoom workshop to detail the key lessons of The Society for Cinema and Media (SCMS) Conference. Ben-Youssef will share how the conference presentations have informed his teaching practice, and he will ask attendees to reflect on how they work to become more nimble and empathetic educators ready to effectively teach (media) literacy and curiosity in times of ever-evolving crisis.
SCMS Conference is the major academic meeting in Film & Media Studies. It features panels sponsored by the Critical Media Pedagogies Scholarly Interest Group where media scholars from across the world probe the challenges and histories of teaching media. At the 2025 edition, the pallor of crisis colored the proceedings. These crises were not only related to the cultural climate but also to the rise of A.I. and the potentially atrophying attention of students raised in a social media dominated landscape. How can we get students to engage with movies of substantial duration when they have grown used to micro-length TikToks? At the SCMS Conference, the challenges facing media pedagogy today were a potent prism to explore the problem of teaching at the university today as well as the possibility, in the words of one presentation, to imagine the creation of a "pedagogy of care."
Bio: Fareed Ben-Youssef is Associate Professor in Film & Media Studies in the Department of English at Texas Tech University. His first book is No Jurisdiction: Legal, Political, and Aesthetic Disorder in Post-9/11 Genre Cinema (SUNY Press, 2022). He is also the Film Review Editor of Surveillance & Society. His classes at TTU have centered on topics like Border Western, UFOs, animation, Tarantino, the post-human, adaptation, trauma, censorship, (neo-)imperialism, and surveillance, as well as film and media pedagogy.
Zoom link: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/92215697244 - Mar26Thu
Cultivating Civility in Higher Education: Strategies for Teaching, Learning, and Professional Communication – (March 25, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/99642136839
Available Seats: 97
Civility in public and professional discourse has declined in recent years, affecting classroom environments, workplace communication, and broader civic engagement. This virtual panel brings together scholars and practitioners to explore how civility-building strategies can be integrated into teaching, learning, and professional communication across disciplines. Drawing on findings from a recent civility research project that included national surveys and focus groups, panelists will discuss why civility education is increasingly important in higher education. They will share practical, evidence-based approaches—including digital civility guidelines, conflict de-escalation techniques, and ethics-centered discussion frameworks—that faculty can adapt for their own classrooms and programs. The session will also highlight ways educators can translate civility research into classroom instruction, student mentoring, and professional development. Participants will leave with actionable tools to foster respectful dialogue, inclusive learning environments, and constructive engagement across diverse academic and professional communities. Visiting panelists: Jae-Hwa Shin, Professor, University of Southern Mississippi Bill Imada, CEO, IW Group Betsy Emmons, Professor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Mike Kuczkowski, CEO, Orangefiery Luke Kulik, Senior Director, Prodege Join Zoom Meeting https://texastech.zoom.us/j/99642136839
- Mar30Mon
Reclaiming Connection: Engaging Distracted Learners in the Age of AI – (March 30, 2026 11:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 34
In an age of constant distraction, attention is a precious and limited resource. Designing for learning is also designing for attention—an opportunity to nurture, protect, and sustain it. This workshop will explore strategies for engaging students across the entire learning journey: from piquing curiosity by framing a course around a big question, to modeling engagement and creating a classroom climate that invites participation. We’ll examine practical methods for “warming the course,” and sustaining focus through interactive content. Drawing on insights from theatre and learning science— with examples of how tools like Top Hat can bring these strategies to life—participants will walk away with practices to foster connection and design learning experiences that resonate in an attention-scarce world. This session is in collaboration with Texas Tech’s Top Hat Representatives. 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: 282 809 137 940 32 Passcode: nx6Fd2i3
- Mar30Mon
Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity – (March 30, 2026 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTEwMzdmODMtNWJlZi00MjYwLTljZDctYzM1ZWY0OWE1ZTg2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22178a51bf-8b20-49ff-b655-56245d5c173c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ba9b8010-8915-4519-9909-b02ad2d5002c%22%7d
Available Seats: 274
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! Teams link Meeting ID: 213 766 984 396 53 Passcode: hv9Ca3rS
- Mar31Tue
Bridging the Gap: Building Accessible and Interactive Learning Experiences – (March 31, 2026 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 33
Learning doesn't end when the lecture concludes; it evolves. This workshop will explore how to bridge the gap between face-to-face instruction and independent study to meet students exactly where they are. As Title II ADA deadlines approach, ensuring digital course materials meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards is more than a compliance requirement, it is an opportunity to create inclusive, high-impact learning experiences. In this hands-on session, you will discover how to transform static content into accessible, dynamic materials by harnessing the power of AI-driven personalization and real-time engagement data. Learn how you can remediate and tailor your own materials, Open Educational Resources (OER), or interactive eTexts to achieve specific course objectives. This session is in collaboration with Texas Tech’s Top Hat Representatives. 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: 277 343 886 398 20 Passcode: 6qG7m7bi
- Apr1Wed
Reclaiming Reading: Motivating and Supporting Today’s College Readers – (April 1, 2026 10:00 am – 11:00 am)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 35
More students are arriving in higher ed without the focus—or the habit—to engage with longer, challenging texts. With AI shortcuts and shrinking attention spans, the reading crisis is hard to ignore. In this interactive session, we’ll unpack what’s driving the decline and consider questions like: What role should reading play in a world of abundant digital content? Together, we’ll surface strategies to reignite comprehension and engagement, including approaches to designing immersive, multimodal reading experiences. You’ll also get a first look at new Top Hat innovations designed to support more intentional, connected reading. Come ready to be part of a collaborative conversation about reimagining reading for today’s students. This session is in collaboration with Texas Tech’s Top Hat Representatives. 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: 249 389 246 622 61 Passcode: Y98xY6Rt
- Apr1Wed
Full Disclosure: Paths, Pivots and Possibilities – (April 1, 2026 1:30 PM – 2:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 24
In this candid panel discussion, faculty reflect on the realities of pursuing promotion to full professor: the choices they made, the unexpected turns, and the insights they gained along the way. Panelists will discuss navigating shifting priorities, balancing teaching and scholarship, and redefining success across different career stages. Participants will leave with practical perspectives, reassurance, and a clearer understanding of the many viable pathways toward Full Professor. Colleagues share what they’ve learned, and unlearned, on the journey to full professor (panel to be announced) TLPDC 153 & TEAMS Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 243 250 449 943 8/Passcode: U8NV9EU9
- Apr2Thu
Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Fresh Approach to Academic Integrity – (April 2, 2026 12:30 PM – 1:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 33
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! Lunch will be provided.
- Apr6Mon
Generative AI for Smarter Alignment of Course Learning Objectives and Assessments – (April 6, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://texastech.zoom.us/j/93430839821
Available Seats: 99
This interactive session introduces practical strategies for using Generative AI (GenAI) to design, refine, and evaluate course learning objectives (LOs) and ensure their alignment with assessments and instructional activities. Participants will explore how GenAI can assist in writing clear, measurable learning objectives using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) and in mapping these objectives to appropriate cognitive levels using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Through guided activities and discussion, participants will use GenAI tools to analyze existing learning objectives, revise them for clarity and measurability, and design formative and summative assessments aligned with those objectives. The session will emphasize how GenAI can support educators by reducing the cognitive load involved in course design while maintaining pedagogical rigor. Key takeaways:
- Design course learning objectives using the SMART framework.
- Use Generative AI tools to analyze, refine, and improve learning objectives.
- Map learning objectives to appropriate levels of cognitive complexity using Bloom’s Taxonomy.
- Design formative and summative assessments aligned with course objectives.
- Evaluate the alignment between learning objectives, course content, and assessments using GenAI support.
- Apply practical GenAI prompts and strategies to streamline course design and assessment development.
- Apr7Tue
STEP Partnerships Power Hour – (April 7, 2026 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 28
The STEP Faculty & Student Partnerships Program 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.
- Apr7Tue
AI-Workshop (Formal Title Forthcoming) – (April 7, 2026 12:30 PM-2:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 10
Facilitator: Dr. Shan Xu Full description to come. Below is the current content provided by Shan:
- Research evidence on effective human–AI collaboration (including two studies from her lab)
- Teens and their AI companions
- How AI shapes student learning
- How AI is reshaping the job market
- Apr7Tue
Beyond Text Generation: Using ChatGPT to Design Canvas Pages (No Coding Required) – (April 7, 2026 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 33
Faculty often spend significant time formatting Canvas pages, troubleshooting HTML, and striving for visual and structural consistency across course modules. While generative AI tools are frequently associated with text generation, their potential as instructional design partners remains underutilized. This workshop introduces faculty to practical strategies for using ChatGPT to support Canvas page design, HTML generation, and course organization without requiring prior coding knowledge. Drawing from authentic course development experiences, participants will explore how AI can assist with creating visually structured module pages, reusable design elements, callout boxes, accessible layouts, and consistent formatting patterns across courses. Through demonstration and guided examples, the session will highlight how AI can reduce cognitive load associated with technical formatting tasks while preserving educator agency in pedagogical decision-making. Participants will leave with transferable prompting strategies, reusable design approaches, and a workflow model for integrating AI into course development processes. 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: 276 430 204 066 9 Passcode: yk99Rg9T
- Apr9Thu
Identifying and Destigmatizing Burnout – (April 9, 2026 11:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Location:TLPDC Room 150
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 150
Available Seats: 38
Feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated? Struggling to focus? Already dreading tomorrow today? Join Suzanne Tapp and Mitzi Ziegner for a workshop on the topic of burnout based on the research and work of Rebecca Pope-Ruark. They will share ideas to help you reboot and refocus on your sense of purpose, compassion, connection and balance.
- Apr10Fri
Finding Accessible Instructional Resources: Complying with WCAG 2.1. – (April 10, 2026 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27382593197814?p=QIA7157COFkXbNi1Th
Available Seats: 94
This virtual session will help you discover accessible instructional materials through the TTU Library and other online resources that meet federal accessibility requirements. You'll learn how to embed these resources into Canvas for easy student access. You'll also get valuable tips for creating your own accessible documents. Participants will leave with practical strategies and actionable steps to apply immediately. Teams link Meeting ID: 273 825 931 978 14 Passcode: nX9Wx6MS
- Apr10Fri
Strengths Part 2: Activating Your Strengths in Your Academic Life – Friday, April 10th 2:00-3:20 PM
Location:Virtual Session
Room: Virtual Session
Available Seats: 285
In this workshop, faculty will develop a deeper understanding of CliftonStrengths, engagement, leadership and collaboration. It will build on the concepts presented in Strengths part I. Participants will engage in discussions and activities about cultivating a strengths-based culture, identifying strengths in others, facilitating strengths-based conversations, using strengths to lead teams, and leveraging strengths for career enhancement. Participants must have completed strengths 1 to register.
Microsoft TeamsMeeting ID: 288 563 757 862 49Passcode: AV6W6A6H - Apr14Tue
Generative AI and Second Language Writing: Mapping the Emerging Research Landscape – (April 14, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Location:Virtual Session
Room: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/28253935062116?p=A7E9WrzesV5YvT9tXr
Available Seats: 98
Over the past three years, generative AI tools have quickly entered second language writing classrooms. Researchers have begun exploring how generative AI tools shape students’ writing, learning processes, and classroom practices. In this talk, I provide an overview of the current empirical research on this topic. Drawing on a review of 88 empirical studies published between 2023 and mid-2025, I map where research efforts have focused and what patterns are emerging. The talk concludes by highlighting key gaps in the literature and suggesting directions for future research as generative AI continues to reshape language learning and writing instruction. Teams link Meeting ID: 282 539 350 621 16 Passcode: GA73YV3g
- Apr15Wed
Matters of Importance: Employing the concept of “Mattering” to better serve students – (April 15, 2026 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 25
Student success is often framed through the lens of “sense of belonging,” yet emerging research shows that the deeper driver of engagement and persistence is the feeling that one matters. Or in other words: that one’s presence, contributions, and experiences are noticed and valued. This workshop introduces the concept of mattering as a transformative framework for supporting students. Through discussion and applied strategies, participants will learn how to identify gaps in mattering, redesign touchpoints in advising and teaching, and implement communication practices that affirm students’ significance. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to foster environments where students not only fit in or belong for a certain period of time, but genuinely feel that they matter.
- Apr16Thu
Mentorship Series: Maintaining Effective Communication – (April 16, 2026 02:00 PM – 03:20 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 20
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers
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:Microsoft TeamsMeeting ID: 290 423 492 793 30Passcode: Zf6GA7EU - Apr17Fri
Compelling Conversations: Developing Effective Communication Through Myers-Briggs Type – (April 17, 2026 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 151
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 151
Available Seats: 68
Facilitator: Dr. Barbie Chambers This workshop will explore how personality preferences shape communication patterns in academic and professional settings. Using the Myers-Briggs framework, participants will explore their type preferences, identify strengths and growth areas, and develop strategies to enhance their communication effectiveness. After registering, participants will receive an invitation to take the MBTI®. The assessment must be completed by Wednesday, April 2nd. During the workshop, the facilitator will provide an overview of MBTI concepts so individuals can receive their verified, personalized results reports. Lunch will be provided!
Microsoft TeamsMeeting ID: 245 201 724 972 94Passcode: UJ3Si3qy - Apr22Wed
Power Over & Power Under vs. Power With: Reimagining Power in Higher Education – (April 22, 2026 1:30 PM – 2:50 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 151
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 151
Available Seats: 63
Facilitator: Dr. Lisa Garner Santa This session invites faculty to examine how power dynamics shape our work in higher education, both in formal structures and in everyday interactions. Using core processes from Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we will explore the distinctions between “power over,” “power under,” and “power with,” and consider how these patterns influence communication, decision-making, and relationships across campus. Through guided reflection, NVC-based exercises, and small-group discussion, participants will reimagine power as a collaborative, generative force that supports mutual respect, shared purpose, and a healthier academic culture. TLPDC 151 or TEAMS Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 287 597 623 005/Passcode: f5dV3wi9
- Apr24Fri
The Swings That Have Missed – (April 24, 2026 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Location:TLPDC Room 153
2802 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409Room: TLPDC 153
Available Seats: 29
This discussion invites participants to rethink the role of failed attempts in academic life—not as a flaw or a dead end, but as an essential and often unseen part of growth, learning, and persistence. The Swings That Have Missed will center on the moments that don’t make it onto résumés or CVs: the rejected proposals, unsuccessful teaching techniques, misses in mentorship, and other paths that didn’t unfold as planned this semester. It may feel vulnerable to participate in a conversation about endeavors we wish would have turned out differently and share stories about the successes that were not to be, but it is important for our wellbeing to be able to do so. It is our hope that participants can find a supportive space and think about how setbacks shape our academic journeys at every stage and feel comfort that we are not alone as we “swing and miss”. Join Mitzi Ziegner, Associate Director at the TLPDC, for a facilitated discussion that will help us acknowledge that both wins and losses are a normal part of our academic journeys. By the end of the conversation, we hope to foster resilience, authenticity, and connection. This session is designed for anyone navigating academic spaces who seeks a more honest, compassionate, and realistic in their approach to achievement.