Professional Learning Communities

In this context, a Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a collaborative, peer-led group for faculty to engage in sustained, in-depth professional development.

• A PLC is a supportive, faculty-driven space where participants learn from one another rather than from a single expert. This is not a “sit and get” workshop or class.

• The group forms around a specific shared challenge, such as integrating AI or improving student engagement.

• It is an ongoing, community-based effort, not a one-time workshop, that builds trust and allows for iterative learning.

• The PLC model is action-oriented and results in a tangible product that extends the group's learning to a wider audience.

Online discussion and book-club format. Each group will have a book for each semester. Facilatitors and the groups will also curate additional digital content (books, podcasts, videos, websites, etc.) to do further reading and exploration on the topic.

Welcome Lunch October 13, 2025 (in person, only in-person event)

Synchronous Teams Meetings Meetings: Every other Friday, October 24, 2025 - March 27, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Faculty will create microcontent throughout the year using Adobe Express to be shared in a digital portfolio. https://www.adobe.com/express/create/online-portfolio/. These digital artifact can also be shared on social media throughout the year. Another option is to publish to MavMatrix through the UTA Libraries in an open access format with metrics that can be tracked for views and downloads. Items are encouraged be shared on social media (CRTLE) as well as on the CRTLE Pedagogy Next as a blog post.

Benefits for Faculty/Staff:

• Individual and group technical and pedagogical support and training
  
  
• Interaction with national and international leaders in the field of education
  
  
• Opportunity to experiment among supportive colleagues
  
  
• Connected conversation across disciplines about creating meaningful learning experiences
  
  
• Paid registration for Online Learning Consortium (OLC) online workshop (and ability to earn a certificate for course completion)


• Completers will receive a certificate, a recognition email sent to their supervisor and dean, and will be recognized at the Faculty and Associates program.


• Receive 1-2 books on the topic to keep.


• Welcome luncheon

 

Expectations:

• Engage and actively participate in biweekly Teams/virtual meetings per semester (or additional as needed for completion of project)
  
  
• Participate in group attendance and collaboration at a conference in the spring semester
  
  
• Collaborate and share ideas and experience with PLC colleagues
  
  
• Contribute written reflections on PLC activities through designated electronic format
  
  
• Conduct and complete a project, present project progress to PLC group, write a final report
  
  
• Present information and insight gained to the campus community through a spring campus conference and, if desired by participant, at national conferences

Microlearning artifacts are small, focused teaching resources such as infographics, short videos, quick-tip visuals, or micro-lessons. These are ideal for sharing future-ready or AI-related insights in a simple, accessible format.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate — depends on tool choice and media format.

Steps:

• Choose a topic related to AI, future-ready teaching, or your PLC focus.
• Select a format such as infographic, video, audio, or slide-based micro-lesson.
• Outline 3–5 key points you want to share.
• Create the content using Canva, Adobe Express, PowerPoint, or another tool.
• Export as PNG, JPG, PDF, or MP4.
• Upload it to your Adobe Express Digital Portfolio.

Adobe Express allows you to quickly create polished microlearning items such as infographics, videos, social graphics, or visual teaching tips. It provides templates and simple editing tools—perfect for faculty who prefer a streamlined creative process.

Difficulty: Easy — very user-friendly with templates.

Steps:

• Visit Adobe Express and log in with UTA credentials.
• Choose “Infographic,” “Video,” or “Social Media Graphic.”
• Insert your microlearning message or teaching strategy.
• Customize colors, layout, icons, and images.
• Export your finished artifact.
• Add the artifact to your digital portfolio and share if desired.

Canva offers more customization options and extensive templates. Great for faculty who enjoy design flexibility or want branded graphics. These can be very basic infographics (e.g., Instagram size/template even if not posted on Instagram).

Difficulty: Moderate — more customization but still accessible.

Steps:

• Log into Canva.
• Search for “Infographic” and choose a template.
• Replace text with your microlearning content.
• Add icons, shapes, or images.
• Adjust colors and layout to improve readability.
• Download the image and upload to your portfolio.

Pedagogy Next is CRTLE’s faculty-facing blog where you can share teaching innovations, AI explorations, or future-ready strategies. Posts highlight practical classroom insights.

Difficulty: Moderate — requires writing but informal in tone.

Suggested Length: 400–1000 words.

Steps:

• Choose a teaching idea related to AI and teaching, innovation, or reflection from PLC.
• Draft a post with: introduction, teaching strategy, practical steps, and a takeaway.
• Revise for clarity and accessibility.
• Submit to Karen and CRTLE for review.
• Add the published post link to your portfolio.

CDE teaching tips are short, actionable strategies for faculty across UTA. These are perfect for sharing small but high-impact classroom ideas.

Difficulty: Easy — very short writing.

Suggested Length: 150-300 words.

Steps:

• Identify a single teaching strategy or AI tip.
• Write your tip.
• Include links embedded/hyperlinked, if helpful
• Email it to Karen for review. She will send it on to CDE.
• Add it to your portfolio.

Sharing your microlearning throughout the year helps build your scholarly digital presence and amplifies UTA’s culture of teaching innovation. LinkedIn is a good place to share professional ideas.

Difficulty: Easy — takes only a few minutes.

Steps:

• Export your microlearning artifact as PNG or JPG.
• Write a brief caption summarizing your idea.
• Tag colleagues, if you wish.
• Use hashtags such as #FutureReadyTeaching or #UTAPLC.
• Upload to your Adobe Express portfolio.

Your portfolio serves as a yearlong collection of your growth and contributions. It becomes a polished, public-facing digital record of your PLC experience.

Difficulty: Easy — templates make setup simple.

Steps:

• Visit Adobe Express portfolio builder.
• Choose a layout template.
• Add sections: Microlearning, Blog Posts, Teaching Tips, Publications.
• Upload new work each month.
• Share your portfolio link at the PLC showcase.