Is CIRTL@Bing asynchronous?
Many parts of CIRTL@Bing can be pursued on your own time. There are a few features, however, that you will need to fit into your schedule. For example, attending learning community sessions, teaching your lesson with a peer observer, and observing a peer鈥檚 teaching.
How long does it take to get each CIRTL@Bing endorsement? How long does it take to complete all three levels?
This depends! We designed the endorsement levels so that you could complete them at a pace that fits into a hectic grad school schedule: about an hour a week during the semester, over the course of three semesters. This approach works well if you鈥檙e starting early. In some cases, though, you may have more experience or more of the work already done, which means you could complete a level more quickly. When you sign up and begin the process, please be sure to communicate with the CIRTL@Bing team to let us know what your goals are for participating so that we are clear about how quickly you will be able to complete the endorsement or endorsements you鈥檙e interested in.
What are the benefits of participating in CIRTL@Bing?
This program is focused on helping you become a stronger, more reflective, evidence-based educator. And skills in teaching transfer to many different contexts that are professionally important. Moreover, because CIRTL is a nationally-recognized brand, if you鈥檙e looking for a future teaching position (i.e., as faculty) this CV line will communicate to future employers that you鈥檙e serious about having the skills needed to support and engage your students. Completing all three endorsement levels also helps you do this because you will receive guidance on creating a teaching philosophy (or teaching statement) and an online portfolio that communicates your growth.
Can I participate in CIRTL@Bing and other CIRTL things without getting an endorsement?
Yes!
How will I know about my progress on endorsements?
CIRTL@Bing participants submit their evidence of completing various parts of the requirements using a simple online form. When the team reviews them, we send you feedback (if required, within a month) You would also receive a separate email informing you of your updated status.
How do I do [COMPONENT X] of the CIRTL@Bing endorsement deliverables?
The CIRTL@Bing BrightSpace group has information to guide you on many of the deliverables (i.e., lesson plans, reflections, and teaching philosophies). Note, however, that there is no specific, required format for any of the pieces. For example, two excellent lesson plans can follow very different templates.
How do I know if the session I attend is part of the endorsement requirements?
All of the learning community sessions will be identified as related to CIRTL@Bing. Other professional development and community-building sessions (e.g., workshops or TA meet ups) will not include CIRTL@Bing as part of their name.
Do I need to be in STEM to participate?
No. Although CIRTL has historically had strong roots in STEM teaching preparation, CIRTL@Bing is useful across disciplines. The core practices鈥攅vidence-based teaching, inclusive pedagogy, feedback, reflection, and classroom inquiry鈥攁pply in STEM, humanities, social sciences, professional programs, and interdisciplinary settings.
How is CIRTL@Bing different from Graduate TA Teaching Basics?
TA Basics is designed for students who are just beginning their work as teaching assistants and need brief foundational modules. CIRTL@Bing goes further by helping graduate students and postdocs build a developmental pathway in evidence-based teaching, reflective practice, teaching inquiry, and professional documentation.
Can I participate if I am not currently teaching?
Yes, but the level you pursue may depend on your current teaching context. Associate can be completed through coursework, reflection, and draft materials. Practitioner and Scholar are stronger when you have a real or simulated teaching context where you can implement a lesson, receive feedback, and develop a TAR project.
Can I complete CIRTL@Bing if my discipline does not have many teaching opportunities?
Yes. You can begin with Associate-level work and consult with the CIRTL@Bing team about appropriate teaching contexts, such as guest lectures, workshops, labs, recitations, discussion sections, mentoring contexts, or instructional materials you design.