Teaching and Learning Community of Knowledge (UB TaLCK)

Teaching is an incredibly rewarding endeavor, but it’s no secret that it also comes with its share of challenges. That’s why we created UB TaLCK, a weekly community of practice designed to help faculty connect, collaborate, and recharge.

Whether you're refining your grading practices, navigating emerging instructional technologies, or simply managing the demands of a busy semester, UB TaLCK offers a supportive space to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and strengthen our collective teaching community.

What we do

We meet Thursdays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. via Zoom for energizing, solutions-focused conversations about teaching. Each session is shaped by your ideas, your questions and your needs. Bring a challenge, leave with strategies.

Recent topics we've covered:

  • Course Evaluations: Turning student feedback into actionable improvement
  • Inclusive Teaching: Equity-centered practices that measurably support student learning
  • Grading Innovations: Rubrics, specifications grading, and efficient, effective feedback
  • Peer Review: Designing peer feedback that is structured, meaningful, and useful
  • Academic Integrity in the Age of AI: Assignment design that promotes learning and integrity
  • Teaching with Generative AI: Ethical, practical integration of AI into courses and assessments

Why join?

Because you're not alone in the classroom. UB TaLCK is a space where faculty:

  • Crowdsource solutions to real teaching challenges
  • Explore new ideas in a low-stakes, supportive environment
  • Connect with peers across disciplines
  • Leave each week with something they can use right away

when:

Sessions hosted via Zoom on Thursdays from 10-10:45 a.m.

Spring 2026 Schedule

Session Date:

Session Topic:
1/29/26

Designing Learning Ecosystems, Not Just Courses

Reframing course design around coherence, pathways, and student success across programs—not just individual courses.
2/5/26

Academic Integrity in the World of AI

Setting shared norms for AI use, addressing integrity challenges, and designing policies and assessments that promote authentic learning.
2/12/26

Cognitive Load & Brain-Friendly Teaching

Applying learning science to reduce overload, improve clarity, and support retention in high-demand courses.
2/19/26

Designing Belonging: Micro-Messages, Identity Safety, and Classroom Culture

Creating learning environments where all students can thrive through small, high-impact inclusive teaching practices.
2/26/26

Productive Failure and the Science of Struggle

Designing challenge, iteration, and growth so struggle strengthens learning without lowering standards.
3/5/26

Teaching for Transfer: Helping Students Apply Learning Across Contexts

Supporting integrative learning so students can apply concepts and skills across courses, disciplines, and real-world contexts.
3/12/26

Making Learning Materials Accessible

Designing for access, flexibility, and compliance by default—supporting learners through accessible course materials and practices.
3/19/26 Spring Break - No Session
3/26/26

Teaching with Multimedia (Audio/Video/Visual Design)

Using multimedia strategically to increase comprehension and engagement while keeping learning materials clear and manageable.
4/2/26

Classroom Dialogue as a Method (Not a Byproduct)

Structured discussion strategies that promote engagement, reasoning, and communication—without relying on informal participation.
4/9/26

Best Practices for Working with TAs

Aligning instructional teams, calibrating grading, and improving student learning at scale in TA-supported courses.
4/16/26

Maintaining Academic Rigor

Clarifying what rigor means today and designing expectations that are appropriately challenging, transparent, and equitable.
4/23/26

Reflective Teaching Through Scholarship: SoTL at UB

Turning teaching questions into evidence-informed practice through manageable SoTL approaches and classroom inquiry cycles.
4/30/26

Curiosity-Driven Teaching: Making Learning Intrinsically Rewarding

Leveraging inquiry, relevance, and discovery to deepen engagement and motivation while sustaining high standards.
5/7/26

Future-Ready Teaching: Emerging Tech, AI, AR/VR, and Learning Innovation

Looking ahead—connecting pedagogy, innovation, and UB’s teaching future with practical strategies for thoughtful adoption.

Join our Community