A Message from Esther Ignagni, Executive Director, CELT

As we close out July, the CELT team hopes that TMU’s learning and teaching community has had a chance to catch up on passion projects, dream about the year ahead and find time to rest and connect with family and friends. The 2026-27 Back-to-School newsletter is comprehensive, a testament to staff’s attention to the expressed questions and needs of faculty and contract lecturers. Please take some time to review the many new and returning workshops, programs and funding opportunities. We have focused on CELT activities with deadlines in the next few weeks, so please stay tuned for more programming coming out this academic year.

All the best for the year ahead.

Thanks!

Esther

Visit the Workshops & Events page to view and register for specific workshops. 

Check out these new workshops. 

New! Critical AI Studio

Meet with other educators to discuss the impacts of AI, how they relate to teaching within various disciplines, and how to bring these conversations to the classroom. 

Since space is limited, please fill in this Expression of Interest form. This form will close Monday August 3 at 10 a.m. 

Tuesday afternoon group: August 18 to October 26, 2pm to 4pm

Friday morning group: August 21 to October 30, 10am to 12pm

New! Alternative Grading Studio 

This hands-on session will explore strategies for implementing alternative grading approaches into your teaching.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 

Time: 9 a.m–12 p.m.

Location: DCC 705

New! Assessment Redesign Studio

This workshops will cover key principles of assessment design. With support from CELT staff, attendees will leave with a workable draft of an assessment.

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026 

Time: 12–3 p.m.

Location: DCC 705

New! Teaching as an English-Second Language (ESL) Instructor

In this workshop, we will explore strategies for teaching as an instructor who speaks English as a second language (ESL). 

Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Time: 12:30–2 p.m.

Location: Virtual

New! Linguistic Justice in Learning and Teaching

This session will delve into strategies for promoting linguistic justice to support multilingual students. 

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Time: 12:30–2 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Get Tech Ready Workshops

In preparation for the new academic year, Computing and Communications Services (CCS) and the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching are offering a series of virtual and in-person workshops to help you “Get Tech Ready.”

Virtual Workshops 

Get Tech Ready: Open Houses 

Updated for Fall 2026

Generative AI in Learning and Teaching Workshop Series

The series will help you become familiar with TMU-supported GenAI tools, consider course and assessment design, and explore ways to discuss GenAI with your students.

All of the workshops are virtual. 

Instructional Skills Workshops (ISW)

The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is a three-day (24 hour) learning program designed to enhance course delivery and facilitation strategies. 

The ISW is taking place from Tuesday, August 25 – Thursday, August 27, 2026.

SoTL Journal Club 

New to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)? Interested in having a regular space to discuss SoTL literature and connect with other folks at TMU interested in SoTL?

The Journal Club will be meeting virtually on a monthly basis. 

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026 

Time: 12–1 p.m.

Add the SoTL Journal Club to your Google Calendar.

Academic Assistants Symposium

The Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching is pleased to host a day of events for Academic Assistants (AAs), and all graduate students interested in professional development in teaching. 

Date: Friday, September 11, 2026 

Time: 9 a.m–4:30 p.m.

More details on the AA page are coming soon!

Academic Integrity in Your Classroom

Maintaining academic integrity is as challenging as it is fundamental to the value of our degrees. The Academic Integrity Office welcomes the opportunity to support you in your efforts by providing a number of services (as well as service opportunities).

• Invite the AIO to speak with your class about academic integrity.

• Import our academic integrity quiz to your D2L course shell.

• Share our student facing resources: FAQs: Academic Integrity and AI.

• Build a culture of academic integrity by encouraging students to join the Academic Integrity Ambassadors program or the Academic Integrity Council.

• Engage in important service work and model your commitment to academic integrity by joining the Designated Decision Makers Council and/or the  Academic Integrity Council (email aio@torontomu.ca to express interest).

Join the GenAI EL Working Group

The Experiential Learning Hub invites faculty and instructors to join the GenAIEL (Generative AI in Experiential Learning) Working Group. Designed for the curious and thoughtful, this group explores how generative AI is intersecting with experiential learning.

To join, please complete the Expression of Interest Form.

Apply to the Social Justice Pedagogies Program 

Are you TMU faculty or a contract lecturer interested in how to integrate social justice principles in your teaching? Join us for this year's Social Justice Pedagogy Program (SJPP), a cohort-based, in-person program.

The application deadline for the 2026/2027 program is Friday, August 14, 2026. 

Visit the Funding Opportunities page to view all awards and grants.

Experiential Learning Design Grant (ELDG)

This grant supports the design, enhancement, and sustainability of equitable experiential learning in your courses. Priority areas include equity and access, place-based learning, Indigenous-led learning, social impact, and emerging technologies. Recipients join a cohort-based program with up to six in-person sessions plus ongoing pedagogical and administrative support from the EL Hub.

The application deadline is Friday, August 14, 2026. 

Incorporate Live Actor Simulation into Your Course

The Live Actor Simulation (LAS) team is excited to offer funding to support the creation of immersive simulations that bring authentic, real-world learning to your course or program.

The application deadline is Monday, October 19, 2026.

Book a one-on-one consult
Get personalized guidance and support from our team experts. 

Send us an email

Please contact askcelt@torontomu.ca if you have questions or to receive help. 

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