Learning Circles
Learning Circles are collaborative, self-directed groups of instructors interested in a specific topic. Members of a circle lend their unique viewpoints from different disciplines and experience levels to a discussion, building comradery, developing a fuller understanding of their topic, and improving their instructional skills in the courses they teach. Learning Circle participants self-select the group or groups that match their expertise and or interest in improvement, and members of a circle decide when they will meet.
Examples of books used in past semesters:
How Humans Learn | Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain | The Missing Course | Blended Course Design Workbook | Ungrading | How to Be an Antiracist | Engaging Learners through Zoom | Distracted | How we Learn
| Teaching To Transgress | Teach Yourself How to Learn
| Active Learning Online
| Teaching Naked Techniques
Spring 2022 Learning Circles
**There is limited seating available for spring learning circles. Please only register for one learning circle.**
digital-age
Resilient Pedagogy Practical Teaching Strategies to Overcome
Distance, Disruption, and Distraction
edited by
Travis N Thurston,
Kacy Lundstrom, and Christopher González
Wednesday 2:00 pm
Jan 26 | Feb 16 | Mar 16 | Apr 6
Facilitated by
Travis Thurston
digital-age
Empowered at a Distance: How to Build Student Self-Direction into Remote and Hybrid Learning
by John Spencer
Wednesday 2:30 pm
Jan 26 | Feb 9 | Feb 23 | Mar 16 | Mar 30
Facilitated by
Elisa Taylor
evidence-based
Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (Teaching and Learning in Higher Education)
by Susan D. Blum
Wednesday 1:00 pm
Jan 19 | Feb 2 | Feb 16 | Mar 2
Facilitated by
Shannon Belmont
evidence-based
Creating Transformative Online Communities in Higher Education
by Patrick R. Dempsey
Thursday 1:00 pm
Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Mar 24 | Apr 28
Facilitated by
Aubrey Rogowski
evidence-based
Teaching Change: How to Develop Independent Thinkers Using Relationships, Resilience, and Reflection
by Jose Antonio Bowen
Wednesday 4:00 pm
Jan 26 | Feb 9 | Feb 23 | Mar 16
Facilitated by
Tyson Barrett 
foundations
Rural Education in America: What Works for Our Students, Teachers, and Communities
by Geoff Marietta &
Sky Marietta
Monday 1:30-3:00 pm *(hour and a half)
Jan 24 | Jan 31 | Feb 14 | Feb 28 | Mar 14
Facilitated by
Sunshine Brosi 
explore
Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate Into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation
by Saundra Yancy McGuire
Tuesday 10:00 am
Jan 18 | Feb 1| Feb 15 | Mar 1
Facilitated by
Shelley Arnold
diversity & inclusion
Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
by Emily Ladu
Wednesday 3:00 pm
Jan 19 | Feb 2 | Feb 16 | Mar 2
Facilitated by
Sue Reeves
diversity & inclusion
Undermining Racial Justice: How One University Embraced Inclusion and Inequality (Histories of American Education)
by Matthew Johnson
Wednesday 1:00 pm
Jan 26 | Feb 23 | Mar 23 | Apr 20
Facilitated by
Amanda Dawson
sustainable
Creating Wicked Students: Designing Courses for a Complex World
by Paul Hanstedt
Thursday 1:00 pm
Jan 27 | Feb 17 | Mar 17 | Mar 31
Facilitated by
J.C. Sheen
evidence-based
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well
by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
Thursday 8:00 am
Feb 3 | Mar 3| Apr 7
Facilitated by
Cache Pitt
What Will You Takeaway From a Learning Circle?
Watch this example of how participating in an ETE Learning Circle on Hitting Pause impacted the teaching of this amazing group:
Interested in Facilitating a Learning Circle?
Questionnaire on Canvas
Fill out the Learning Circle Questionnaire in the ETE Canvas Course about your interests. If you are considering a specific book for use please consider the price, or check to see if it is offered as an eBook through the USU library. If you are planning to facilitate the circle yourself, please review the ETE Learning Circle Facilitator's Guide.
Work with ETE
Discuss with ETE what meeting days and times would work best for you and your group, how to acquire materials, number of participants, possible activities, and more.
Discussion
Remember, you are not expected to be an expert on this subject! It is more important to have an open mind surrounding your topic, and a desire to lead a discussion to learn and improve together.