Teaching Initiatives
About Teaching Initiatives
The Teaching Initiatives portfolio of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education (OVPIUE) includes initiatives related to experiential learning and undergraduate research; models and practices to support faculty pedagogical development and knowledge transfer; and opportunities to enhance the undergraduate academic experience at the University of Toronto.
Experiential Learning
Ensuring students have access to experiential learning opportunities across their educational journey is a priority for U of T. Our team supports the development, implementation, funding and assessment of experiential learning at an institutional level by working with Tri-Campus academic divisions, shared service units and external partners.
Undergraduate Research
Research is a fundamental part of the undergraduate experience at U of T. In partnership with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students, the Office of the Vice-Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management, the Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, and the Tri-Campus academic divisions, our team is working to increase the number and quality of undergraduate research experiences, enhance access to research and support students engaging with research.
Digital Learning
Online and virtual experiences are an important component of the postsecondary environment. Our team supports the development, funding and assessment of online, hybrid and digital course development and pedagogies in partnership with both institutional offices and the Tri-Campus academic divisions.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
The latest generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems will impact teaching and learning in many ways, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the ways our course instructors and students engage in teaching and learning. U of T remains committed to providing students with transformative learning experiences and supporting instructors as they adapt their pedagogy in response to this emerging technology. See also:
DLI: Open Educational Resources for AI literacy. These modules can be customized or used as-is. They are designed to be used in a Quercus course website, or downloaded for use in PowerPoint or Word documents.
CTSI: Teaching with Generative AI at U of T
Academic Advising
As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to ensure students, faculty and staff have access to the supports and resources required to support the success and wellbeing of our students, increased focus and investments are being made in advising supports and technologies. The 2024 Provostial Review of Academic Advising Supports, commissioned by Vice-Provost Susan McCahan, provided an overview of the current state of academic advising services for undergraduate students offered by first-entry divisions within the University of Toronto (U of T), highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and recommendations for enhancement.