About

 Interim Director’s Note from Dr. Peggy Semingson

Welcome to the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE)

The future of teaching is here and CRTLE is leading the charge with bold innovation, strong collaboration, and a dedicated commitment to faculty success.

One of my favorite phrases is “Fortune favors the bold,” and that spirit guides our work as we help faculty embrace change and lead with confidence.

Teaching and learning at UT Arlington continue to evolve in response to changing student needs, emerging technologies, and the realities of today’s higher education landscape and workforce demands. At CRTLE, our work is guided by a commitment to supporting faculty in practical, meaningful, and sustainable ways; it is one that is rooted in research and evidence-based practice, informed by experience, future-ready, and shaped by collaboration.

CRTLE is your hub for bold ideas and knowledge sharing. It is a space where faculty define the present and future of teaching, not just respond to it. Here, you’ll find resources, hands-on opportunities, chances to dialogue, and a community committed to preparing students for life beyond college.

In 2025–2026, key CRTLE initiatives include ACUE (Association of College and University Educators) courses and offerings focusing on Effective Teaching, The Faculty Voices series, Pedagogy NEXT blog posts from faculty and CRTLE, AI Literacy alignment, Technology Test Kitchen experiential learning events, MAFE Faculty Fellows, and the Center for Service Learning’s 25th‑year of service at UT Arington, and more.

Peggy Semingson, Ph.D.
Interim Director, Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence

Main CRTLE Initiatives

• Faculty Development & Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
  Our year-long faculty programs such as CRTLE Faculty Fellows, Maverick Advantage Faculty Engagement (MAFE), and new programs such as the IRB Mentor program provide sustained learning and community for faculty towards teaching aligned with institutional priorities. Our PLCs focus on future-ready teaching strategies, including digital storytelling, learning analytics, and innovative pedagogies. These sessions foster collaboration and actionable ideas across disciplines. Our Peer Observation of Teaching training also provides a solid foundation for this process.

• Association of College and University Educators Effective Teaching Practices Certificate and courses: UT System ACUE partnership + Effective Teaching 101 seat management. CRTLE coordinates UTA’s participation in ACUE’s evidence‑based teaching courses and micro credentials—managing Effective Teaching 101 cohort enrollments (including Dev Ed/UNIV outreach), hosting information sessions, and recognizing completers (pinning ceremony). Faculty can continue their growth in ACUE Commons, including earning the new AI for Higher Ed Endorsement that recognizes sustained engagement with responsible, future‑ready teaching. ACUE completers participate in a pinning ceremony and receive a certificate.

• Digital Literacy and Creative Tools
  Through partnerships like Adobe Creative Campus, we equip faculty and students with tools for digital storytelling and design, supporting creativity and engagement in learning. We provide adoption support for classroom and content tools (e.g., aPlus+ Attendance, H5P, Open Education Resources [OER]) to enhance engagement and track outcomes.

• Experiential and Faculty-Centered Approaches
  Initiatives such as the NEW Technology Test Kitchen, the Pedagogy NEXT website and podcast, and expanded digital resources create spaces where faculty can try ideas, learn from one another, and adapt innovations at their own pace.

• MAFE: Career‑Integrated Teaching: MAFE Faculty Fellows and facilitator community embed Maverick Advantage activities and career competencies into courses, with coordinated seminars and designation support in partnership with the Career Center.

• Center for Service Learning: The Center for Service Learning (25th anniversary in 2026) is a dedicated unit at UTA that provides faculty with resources, training, programming, events, and support to integrate community engagement into their courses. CSL’s 25th year and growing collaborations (events, accessibility improvements, co‑sponsorships) highlight experiential pedagogy’s impact and community engagement.

• Campus Collaboration on AI Literacy and Policy
  CRTLE contributes to campus‑wide AI literacy through AI Essentials modules (faculty & students), the AI Literacy Initiative/SLO working group, Pondering AI series, and OIT’s AI Community of Practice, ensuring pedagogy, policy, and technology stay aligned.

• CRTLE actively participates in institutional initiatives to shape AI literacy and develop guidelines that align with academic integrity and student success.

• Recent AI integration and AI literacy efforts include:
  • Contributing to the UTA AI Advisory Team discussions to establish campus-wide principles for responsible AI use.
• Supporting the UTA AI Literacy Initiative for faculty and students.
• Providing ideas on AI Instructional Guidelines.
• AI Essentials modules (faculty & student) co‑developed with Center for Distance Education
• Hosting the CRTLE AI Course Redesign Institutes. These institutes provide structured guidance, panels of experts, and practical tools for integrating AI into teaching and learning. Faculty explore strategies for responsible AI use, redesign assignments to leverage generative AI, and develop syllabus statements that align with academic integrity. The institutes also feature curated resources to ensure faculty leave with actionable plans for future-ready courses
• Collaborating with campus partners and beyond (OIT, UTA Libraries, Adobe) to ensure alignment between technology adoption and teaching goals.
• Featuring thought leadership through special events, including a recent author visit (Embracing AI as Essential Learning” and “Simulations, Custom Bots and New Assignments for Learning in the AI Era”) and talk on AI and education, which sparked campus-wide dialogue on ethical and creative uses of AI in teaching.

Partnerships and Community

Partnerships power everything we do. By collaborating with campus partners such as OIT, UTA Libraries, Student Affairs, UT System, and the Division of Student Success, amplifying faculty voices, and learning alongside students, CRTLE serves as a platform for sharing effective teaching practices across disciplines and modalities. We invite faculty to share their experiences, examples, and questions through brief reflections, blog contributions, or informal conversations so that others can learn from what is happening across our campus.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward into the future, CRTLE remains committed to professional development that enhances student success in both online and on-campus environments. We invite you to connect with CRTLE, explore our resources, and participate in this evolving community of practice.

Our main goal is to expand reach to as many faculty as possible with flexible learning opportunities related to teaching.

Call to Action

1. Explore Digital Tools and Resources: Access our main website and Pedagogy NEXT, our YouTube channel, Adobe Creative Campus tools, and more.
2. Attend Upcoming Workshops and Events: Learn from invited experts, peers, and engage in sessions on AI literacy, pedagogy, and innovation.
3. Share Your Teaching Story: Contribute a blog post to Pedagogy NEXT, reflection, or example to inspire colleagues across campus.
4. Read the CRTLE Newsletter: Stay informed about new programs, resources, and faculty success stories.
5. Connect with Us Directly: Schedule a consultation or email CRTLE to discuss your teaching goals and how we can support you.

CRTLE is here to serve as a catalyst for innovation across all teaching modalities and a trusted partner in faculty development.