CTL Newsletter - September 2025
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.”
—Alexandra K. Trenfor
📚Large Courses, Clear Strategies, and Teaching with Purpose
CTL and ASSETT: Now One Team
As of May 2025, CTL and ASSETT have officially merged into one unified team under the CTL name. This merger strengthens our shared mission to support teaching and learning across campus, combining ASSETT’s expertise in educational technology with CTL’s university-wide reach. While the ASSETT name is no longer in use, its impact continues through CTL’s expanded services. The ASSETT student fee has been discontinued as part of this transition.
Large Courses
Strategies for Creating Connection and Clarity in Large Lecture Settings
Large lecture courses can be challenging for students who may feel disconnected or unsure where to start. Fortunately, a few small adjustments can help students navigate these environments more confidently.
- Set clear expectations: Walk students through the syllabus and highlight tools like Canvas calendars and notifications.
- Create connection: Encourage introductions, study groups, or discussion threads to build community.
- Support planning: Recommend working backward from deadlines and breaking tasks into smaller steps.
- Make learning visible: Use quick check-ins or reflections to help students track their progress.
- Share resources early: Point students to tutoring, tech support, and other campus services.
🔗 Explore our full resource guide for students:Large Courses: Tools to Support Students
🔗 Join our Large Courses Community of Pracitce (LCCoP)
Five Teaching Styles
What does it mean to be an effective educator? According to Daniel D. Pratt’s research (2005), the answer depends on yourperspective: your beliefs, intentions, and values as a teacher.
InFive Perspectives on Teaching in Adult and Higher Education(2005), Pratt identifies research-based approaches to teaching:
- Transmission – delivering clear, structured content
- Apprenticeship – modeling expert practice
- Developmental – helping students construct meaning
- Nurturing – creating a supportive, inclusive environment
- Social Reform – using education to drive societal change
Each perspective reflects a distinct role for the teacher and a different vision of what success looks like in the classroom. For example, while thetransmission model prioritizes clarity and content mastery, thesocial reform model focuses on justice and systemic change.
Understanding your own teaching style is more than an academic exercise, it’s a powerful tool for growth, connection, and student impact.
Want to go deeper? Explore our webpage onFive Teaching Styles
📚Recommended Readings of the Month:
- - by Daniel D. Pratt
This book outlines five distinct teaching perspectives each offering a unique view of effective teaching. It encourages educators to reflect on their values and adapt their approach to context and learner needs. - - by Frank Heppner
Heppner provides practical strategies for effectively managing, engaging, and assessing students in large-enrollment courses.
🌟 Buff Spotlight: Fall Teaching, Learning, and Technology Conference 2025
Join CTL and OIT for the Fall Teaching, Learning, and Technology Conference on October 2–3, 2025, held in hybrid format (CASE building and Zoom).
This year’s theme, Engage Every Learner, highlights key topics including:
- Student engagement
- Technology & AI in higher ed
- Large course design
- Learning environments where all students thrive
Enjoy our keynote speakers, interactive workshops, faculty panels, and lunch each day. RSVP by September 26 to reserve your spot!
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🔗 Explore the full conference schedule and details on our website
Need help with parking? Email us at CTL@colorado.edu.
📅 What’s Ahead: Events & Announcements:
- 🎓 Join us for the Fall Teaching, Learning, and Technology Conference on October 2–3, 2025, hosted by the CTL and OIT. This two-day hybrid event centers on the theme “Engage Every Learner” and will feature workshops, panels, and hands-on sessions exploring innovative approaches to teaching with technology. From digital accessibility to inclusive design and student engagement, the conference offers something for every educator. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided— to reserve your spot!
- 📚Are you interested in revamping your Canvas Courses? OIT's Academic Technology Consulting team is offering to assist all instructors and faculty with their Canvas needs. We also have sessions to assist instructors with leveraging the Canvas Studio Video platform, or leveraging the new CidiLabs DesignPLUS toolkit. You can view all training offerings on
- 💻 Laptop Funding for Lecturers: In 2025–26 CU Boulder’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) will offer one-time funding for eligible lecturers to purchase a new Dell or Apple laptop that meets the university’s Secure Computing Standard. This initiative, supported in part by OIT’s equipment return program, ensures lecturers have secure, up-to-date technology for teaching. Learn more on the or submit the .
Join Us for Other Upcoming Events!
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🎉Celebrating Our CTL Community
Fall Intensive 2025: A Strong Start to the Academic Year
The 2025 Fall Intensive was a fantastic kickoff to the new academic year! Over three energizing days in August, more than 40 workshops brought together graduate students, new instructors, and seasoned educators from across campus to explore timely topics in teaching, professional development, and career preparation.
From inclusive teaching strategies and active learning design to grading practices and academic career pathways, the sessions were rich with ideas and grounded in CU Boulder’s teaching culture. Whether participants attended one workshop or twelve, they walked away with practical tools, new perspectives, and meaningful connections.
A huge thank you to PrestonCumming (Professional Development Lead, CTL) for organizing the Fall Intensive 2025, and also a huge thank you to everyone who participated, presented, and helped create such a welcoming and vibrant learning environment. We’re especially grateful to those who joined us in person bright and early with coffee, tea, and pastries in hand!
Here’s to a semester of great teaching and continued growth. We can’t wait to see what you do next!
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🎓 InspirED✏️📚 Explore the CTL Podcast Network
Looking for fresh ideas, inspiring voices, and real conversations about teaching and learning at CU Boulder? TheCTL Podcast Network is your go-to hub for stories, strategies, and insights from across our campus community.
Formerly part of ASSETT, the CTL Podcast Network features a range of mini-series that highlight innovative teaching practices, student perspectives, and faculty-staff collaborations aimed at improving the student experience.
Learn More …
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Forward this newsletter to someone you think might be interested in signing up. Our newsletter is published monthly during the academic year and includes timely teaching strategies and resources, updates, and upcoming events of interest to the campus teaching community.