Teaching Consultations

PETAL tailors its 1:1 consultations according to the needs of each individual, group, or unit in order to address a variety of topics. Individual or group consultations may focus on a teaching topic or challenge, a course or strategic initiative, and range from one-off consultations to ongoing engagements for complex projects.

Example topics may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Preparing a course syllabus: creating learning objectives, outcomes, and inclusive approaches
• Increasing student engagement and participation: small and strategic approaches to positively impact face-to-face or blended courses
• Developing methods to assess learning:co-designing assignments and resources, establishing feedback strategies
• Implementing active and experiential learning: creative projects, case studies, and discussion-based learning
• Integrating innovative technologies and strategies: immersive technologies, multimodal assignments, and interactive social tools
• Inclusive teaching practices: fostering a sense of belonging, creating equitable learning opportunities, bringing in diverse perspectives
• Creating opportunities to gather student feedback: creating midpoint evaluations, forming student focus groups
• Conducting research about student learning: exploring ways to engage in the scholarship of teaching and learning

To schedule a consultation - contact petal@miami.edu

• Consultation Format

  Consultation Format

  A consultation may take place over email, phone, virtual conference, or in person, depending on the request and questions. While each consultation will adapt to the needs of an individual or group, our consultation process systemically involves the following steps:

  • Schedule a consultation: To schedule a course consultation, contact petal@miami.edu. We will connect you with an instructional designer to schedule a meeting within 48 hours.
  • Before the consultation: Once scheduled, we usually review preliminary resources (syllabus, assignment descriptions, or other course materials) to become familiar with the context of the request and to prepare initial research to share.
  • During the consultation: A consultation will generally start with some initial reflective questions to learn about your teaching and learning goals. We then co-design potential milestones and resources to work towards, explore and design possible solutions.
  • After the consultation: We will provide additional resources and support you during the implementation of a goal. We will also discuss ways to measure or assess any potential changes and address potential improvements for future development.

• Learning Innovation and Faculty Engagement (LIFE)

  Learning Innovation and Faculty Engagement (LIFE)

  Learning Innovation and Faculty Engagement (LIFE) offers a wide range of programming and services to foster innovative, evidence-based teaching and learning practices at the University of Miami. Core programs and services include consultations, tailored workshops, and other events available to the entire teaching community, including departments and programs. 

  LIFE is also available to provide 1:1 or group consultations. To contact them, email life@miami.edu