Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence

Transforming Educators into Changemakers

Unlocking Success: Six Powerful Learning Strategies for Students
This presentation explores the adult learning theories and brain science behind how we encode, consolidate, and retrieve information. It breaks down six proven, research-backed learning strategies: spaced learning, retrieval practice, interleaving, elaboration, concrete examples, and multisensory coding. Posted September 11, 2024
Trauma Informed Care Module 2
This presentation dives deeply into the science of trauma and how it impacts the brain and body. It explains how toxic stress affects brain development, triggering survival modes where the emotional brain takes over the rational brain. Participants learn about Dr. Daniel Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain, the Neurosequential Model, and the four key brain functions impacted by trauma: executive functions, sensory awareness, attention, and memory. Posted September 11, 2024
Embracing Internationalization: Resources and Opportunities for Faculty, Staff, and Students
This presentation focuses on the mission and ongoing work of the PCC Internationalization Initiative. It outlines six core areas of the program, including internal and external funding for course internationalization, engaging speaker series, Speed Culturing events, and specialized Focus Awards in Global, Asian, and China Studies. Posted September 11, 2024
Creating Survivor-Centered Classrooms for Students Impacted by Gender Based Violence
This presentation explores gender-based violence (GBV) and its profound impact on a student's academic success. It provides faculty with concrete, trauma-informed strategies to create a safe, supportive classroom environment. Educators will learn how to respond compassionately to student disclosures using the ABC Method (Acknowledge, Believe, Check-in). Additionally, the session covers how to effectively collaborate with the Outreach and Advocacy Project (OAP) to connect students with essential resources and support. Posted September 11, 2024
The-Beauty-of-Crossword-Puzzles. The Beauty of Crossword Puzzles as a Teaching Tool
Examines how crossword puzzles engage critical thinking, wordplay, and collaboration, serving as tools for reviewing material, assessing prior knowledge, or gauging student understanding. Posted September 8, 2024
Restorative-Practices Introduction to Restorative Practices for Instructors
Led by Bonni Goldberg, this introductory session explores how restorative practices—rooted in Indigenous traditions—foster connection, belonging, and culturally responsive teaching at PCC. Participants learn to use proactive restorative circles, low-stakes storytelling, and structured listening to build classroom community, handle difficult conversations, and enhance course content. Posted February 2, 2024
Student-Mentoring-Panel. Student Mentoring Panel: Hearing from Those Who Have Been There
This Anderson Conference panel features former TRIO participants exploring student mentoring from both sides of the relationship. Panelists highlight how trust, empathy, and strength-based guidance support underrepresented students through college and career choices. They demonstrate how intentional mentorship fosters student confidence, builds community connection, and enriches professional growth for mentors. Posted February 2, 2024
Student-Support-Learning Support Student Learning and Belonging by Varying Your Feedback Strategies
Varying feedback strategies—from text and rubrics to inline annotations, audio, and video—helps instructors strengthen connection, clarify expectations, and support student learning. Using tools like D2L, Google Docs, and Kaltura, educators can humanize online instruction, communicate tone effectively, and build a stronger sense of belonging through personalized, meaningful responses. Posted February 2, 2024
Teaching-to-the-Gen-Ed. Teaching to the Gen Ed Assessment
This Lunch & Learn series explores how faculty and staff can build age-inclusive learning communities. Participants examine the dynamics of multigenerational environments, distinguish between age-friendly and age-inclusive practices, and reflect on ageism's impact. The session offers strategies to reduce barriers, foster intergenerational knowledge sharing, and make educational spaces welcoming to learners across all life stages. Posted February 2, 2024
Homework-Problems Using Student Authoring of Homework Problems as an Assessment Strategy in STEM
This Anderson Conference session explores student-authored homework problems as renewable STEM assessments. By creating custom chemistry problems tied to their interests, students engage deeply, share diverse perspectives, and reveal misunderstandings early. The presentation outlines the end-to-end creation process, grading rubrics, culturally responsive benefits, and important copyright considerations for reusing student work. Posted February 2, 2024