The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) supports the vision of American University of Sharjah to be globally recognized for outstanding and innovative teaching and learning, leading to positive and distinctive impacts on the region and beyond. The work of the CITL reflects the institutional values associated with providing a transformative student experience, maintaining an inclusive community and supporting intellectual inquiry.
VISION
The American University of Sharjah Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning aspires to promote innovative teaching for an enhanced learning experience at AUS.
MISSION
The American University of Sharjah Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning provides a welcoming environment that promotes pedagogical innovation, provides opportunities for the effective integration of technology and supports all faculty in their efforts to enhance teaching and learning.
The primary goals of CITL are aligned with the AUS institutional values:
Instructional Innovation (Transformative Student Experience)
Faculty Diversity and Inclusion (Inclusive Community)
Lifelong Learning (Intellectual Inquiry)
Our services range from individualized support to seminars and workshops, all of which can help improve your teaching effectiveness.
These resources are provided for some quick ideas on key teaching topics or starting points to explore various aspects of teaching. If you do not find what you need, contact us at [email protected] and we will help you individually.
Online Teaching Tools
Online Teaching Resources
Other Resources
We continuously collect research articles and training materials related to teaching effectively in the era of technological change. If you have areas that you would like us to explore, please let us know.
CITL's teaching certificates programs are designed to promote pedagogical innovation and support faculty professional development. These programs are directly linked to AUS strategic plans, namely:
The Certificate in Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) is open to all AUS faculty members and teaching staff who are interested in working with colleagues to discuss, share ideas and deepen their understanding of teaching and learning excellence.
The selection of topics and activities offered in this certification program is related to successful teaching and professional development in higher education. Participants will have the opportunity to explore, evaluate and implement a variety of teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches, engage with scholarly literature and demonstrate effective teaching practices.
Participants who successfully complete this program will be eligible to apply for a fellowship* award by AdvanceHE: UK Professional Standards for Teaching and Learning. The award provides an international quality mark, enhancing participants’ professional profile and opening pathways for further professional and career development.
Objectives
Participants who successfully complete this program will able to:
Program Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this program, participants will be able to:
approaches within Higher Education generally and within their disciplines specifically.
Next Cohort: Fall 2024
Applications are open every fall.
Email [email protected] for more information.
*Fellowships are embedded in the UK and have been adopted by increasing numbers of higher education.
The Course Redesign Certification (CRC) focuses on the pedagogies associated with the use of digital learning technologies. While the focus will be on instructors teaching online and blended courses, the program will cover learning theories and learning principles that go beyond a digital environment. The CRC program is designed to support instructors who are new to the online teaching environment, as well as those who are seasoned veterans.
Objectives
Participants who successfully complete this program will able to:
All you need is to select one of your own courses to evaluate or redesign and attend the program. Space is limited so please register early. Registration closes on January 15, 2024 for the Spring 2024 cohort.
The Program
Expected Results
Next Cohort: Spring 2024
Now Accepting Applications to the CRC Program
Questions?
DEADLINE: Monday, January 15, 2024
Email [email protected] for more information
The Certificate in University Teaching (CUT) program is designed to provide PhD students at AUS an opportunity to develop their teaching skills through innovative pedagogical and reflective practice.
Objectives
The CUT program will:
1. provide exposure to college-level teaching and learning
2. promote effective teaching practices
3. encourage the use of pedagogical practices that engage students and promote active learning.
Next Cohort: Spring 2024
Now Accepting Applications to the CUT Program
Questions?
DEADLINE: Monday, January 15, 2024
Email [email protected] for more information
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the CITL team, I welcome you to the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL).
I wish to take this opportunity to share with you the many opportunities CITL offers AUS faculty. As we seek to engage with the opportunities and challenges facing us today, we continue to dedicate ourselves in investing our time and effort in teaching and learning that strengthen our learning community, and create an environment for faculty and students to pursue their passions, positioning AUS as a leading university in the region. Among these opportunities are our three certification programs: the Certificate in Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE), the Course [Re]Design Certificate (CRC) and the Certificate for University Teaching for PhD students (CUT). We also engage the extraordinary talents and resources of our faculty fellows to support many of the activities that we offer, including the three certification programs. Serving as our faculty fellows for Academic Year 2023-2024 are Dr. Alaanoud Abusalim, Senior Instructor Writing Studies; Camilo Cerro, Professor of Architecture and Interior Design; Dr. Mahmoud Ismail Ibrahim, Professor of Electrical Engineering; Dr. Emin Gahramanov, Professor of Economics; and Dr. Thomas Christian Wunderli, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics.
This is an exciting time for AUS as we engage the opportunities and challenges facing higher education worldwide. I am deeply grateful to each of you for your contributions and extraordinary dedication to our students; I am honored to be playing a role as a Director of CITL and be a part of such a remarkable and talented community. I hope you will join us in many of our exciting events.
Dr. Norita Ahmad
Director, Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Professor of Information Systems and Business Analytics
School of Business Administration
Read the latest news and updates from the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.
The Faculty Fellows Program (FFP) is designed and facilitated by fellows from schools/colleges across campus. Faculty fellows are full-time faculty members who have demonstrated leadership capacity in the areas of teaching and learning. Faculty fellows also help to address teaching, learning and technological challenges within their individual schools/colleges.
Faculty Fellows commit to the following:
The benefits of being a Faculty Fellow are:
If you have an interest in promoting active learning, student-centered approaches, evidence-based teaching pedagogy and academic technologies, you should apply to be a Faculty Fellow.
Fellowships require at least a one-year commitment.
Dr. Sandra Knuteson
BCE Sciences Internship Coordinator
Senior Lecturer
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences (BCE)
CAS
Kristina Katsos
Senior Instructor
Department of International Studies
CAS
Alaa El-Dien Hamade
Senior Instructor
Department of Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
SBA
Dr. Mohammad O. Hamdan
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
CEN
Camilo Cerro
Associate Professor
Department of Architecture
CAAD
You have just joined a vibrant, multicultural community. As faculty and staff residents comprise an integral part of our lively campus community, the university provides a wide range of facilities, services and opportunities that cater to the needs of our community members.
Coming to a new country and new position can be a stressful time for everyone concerned, especially if you also have family to consider. AUS faculty members come from many countries and cultures. Some are already acquainted with the Middle East. For others, this appointment introduces a completely new dimension to their lives. You will want to know what to expect and how to make the transition from your country to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and AUS. While you will enjoy the general atmosphere of conviviality and warm hospitality that prevails here, there will always be cultural and behavioral differences that will take time to assimilate and accept. The CITL will attempt to answer the many questions and concerns you may have as a new faculty member at AUS.
Your contract has been signed and returned to the Office of the Chancellor, and now the process of getting to AUS commences. You should have received a welcome letter from Human Resources (HR) along with forms to complete and a list of required documents to be sent. For more information, download our New Faculty Welcome Kit. This guide contains useful information about these services to help with your transition to AUS and the UAE.
The New Faculty Orientation is a week-long event designed to help new faculty transition to living and working at American University of Sharjah.
Download our New Faculty Welcome Kit.
In Fall 2023, CITL embarked on a season of educational growth, exploration and collaboration. Our lineup featured a diverse range of workshops and events designed to ignite creativity, foster effective teaching strategies, and harness the power of innovative technologies in education. These were all offered to seasoned educators and new joiners of AUS as we strive to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences for all.
Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Fall 2023.
The lineup of workshops and events held in Spring 2023 offered faculty an enriching and collaborative learning experience. Our carefully curated sessions aim to empower educators with innovative teaching strategies, cutting-edge technology integration, and a supportive community to enhance the educational landscape. As we ushered in a new season, we were thrilled to be a part of our teaching community’s professional growth as we aimed to create dynamic and engaging learning environments.
Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Spring 2023.
With CITL’s commitment to provide support and promote effective teaching and learning across the entire AUS community, we are very excited to be facilitating face-to-face and virtual workshops on various topics this Fall 2022. We look forward to your participation in our events and workshops.
Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Fall 2022.
CITL always strives and makes its utmost efforts in accomplishing its goal in sharing best practices, methodologies and knowledge on technology tools for enhancing teaching and learning to the AUS community. In Spring 2022, nine informative and interactive sessions were held, each of which was categorized as one of the following types of workshops: Teaching and Learning Hours, Technical Workshops and Virtual Lounge Sessions. The overall theme for the fall semester was "Best Practices for Assessment.. Through this theme, our panelists were able to share some of their insider tips, tricks, practices, habits and ideas that helped them successfully implement appropriate assessments into their classrooms. Remarkable feedback and appreciation from participants was received.
Click here to view the CITL Spring 2022 Workshops.
As CITL is committed to supporting and promoting effective teaching and learning across the entire AUS community, 12 informative, meaningful and interactive workshops were conducted in Fall 2021. To provide better organization of these workshops, the following categories were used: Teaching and Learning Hours, Technical Workshops and Virtual Lounge Sessions. The purpose of the Teaching and Learning Hours Workshops is to provide AUS faculty with professional teaching support programs and to encourage teaching effectiveness, creativity and innovation. While the Technical Workshops focused on the practical application of various selected topics by CITL and/or faculty fellows. Participants will participate in a guided discussion about how to apply the demonstrated strategies in their classrooms. The Virtual Lounge (VL) is an interactive online meeting room where faculty and teaching staff across AUS campus discuss and reflect on the challenges and experiences related to teaching and learning in a virtual environment. The main objectives of this lounge are to support the development of excellence in teaching, and to establish best practice.
Click here to view the CITL Fall 2021 Workshops.
Norita Ahmad
Director
Cell | +971 50 108 7484
Fax | +971 6 558 5065
Email | [email protected]
Cleofi-Krista Capili
Teaching and Learning Assistant
Tel | +971 6 515 2279
Email | [email protected]
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