Teaching in the TILL Classroom
Guidelines & Frequently Asked Questions
The Teaching Innovation Learning Lab is a safe space to explore new teaching strategies with your students. We invite you to learn more about this space by exploring the website below.
What is the TILL classroom?
The TILL classroom is a learning and research space designed to provide UofL faculty members and students with unique opportunities to explore active learning pedagogies, rich technology resources, and flexible furniture arrangements.
The TILL classroom’s moveable tables, node chairs, and multiple monitors allow instructors and students to seamlessly move between lecture, discussion, and collaboration. Learn more about the classroom’s design features and technology here.
Guidelines for Faculty
In order to advance the TILL’s research goals of designing and experimenting with pedagogical innovation—especially collaborative, high-engagement, and active learning approaches (with or without technology)—we invite you to partner with us by teaching a minimum of three classes in the TILL and by collaborating with us in the following ways:
- Before-During-After:
- Before First Class Session: Participate in a short “getting started” session to learn about the features and functionality of the classroom, discuss your instructional goals, brainstorm innovative pedagogical approaches, and design a relevant assessment plan.
- During Class Sessions: Open your class for observation by a small group of interested faculty from across the institution. We often find great teaching ideas when we observe, share, and learn from each other.
- After Class Sessions: Be available after your class to share ideas and information, gather feedback, and engage in collegial dialogue with faculty observers and TILL professional staff.
- Data Collection: We may ask you and your students to contribute to our research mission by participating in short user experience surveys (pre- and post-measures), focus groups, and video recordings (in accordance with institutional policy related to human subjects and classroom research).
- Advocate and Disseminate: We hope you will share your TILL teaching experience with the wider UofL community. We may ask you and your students to provide written, audio, or video testimonials for marketing and future training purposes. We may invite you to facilitate professional development sessions for UofL faculty (e.g., workshops, institutes, faculty learning communities). We might also ask you to help us disseminate “best practices” for using the space by sharing an active learning activity for the TILL newsletter, or by creating a video for our website.
Can I teach just one of my classes in the TILL classroom?
To maximize the impact of this experience, we have found that 3-6 class sessions allow both faculty and students to acclimate to the space and fully utilize its affordances.
I have read the guidelines and I would like to teach in the TILL classroom. What should I do?
Complete a short online reservation request form which is available here. The form gathers information about you and your course as well as your goals for use of the TILL.
What happens if my class session in the TILL classroom “bombs”?
No problem! The opportunity for learning and growth goes through the roof. We encourage exploration, innovation, failure, and continuous improvement. This is a learning lab, after all, and if you are afraid of failure, this may not be the place for you.
Can I schedule the TILL classroom for other types of events?
Generally speaking, the TILL classroom is a innovative classroom space. While we will occasionally schedule other types of events in this space, all events in the TILL must directly support teaching and learning at UofL. We discourage the use of the TILL for faculty, student, or staff meetings. You can use the form to tell us more about your non-class event. We'll review the provided information and let you know if the TILL is available.
How much lead time should I plan for?
We recommend submitting the reservation request form for the TILL at least 14 days before your event.