Communities of Practice
CTLT's Communities of Practice (CoP) provide connections and shared expertise for groups of individuals with common goals and similar challenges. Communities of Practice are distinguished by three characteristics. Members (1) share a domain of interest, (2) engage in activities and discussions to share information and develop relationships, and (3) develop a repertoire of resources, experiences, tools and methods to enhance their practice. Membership requires only active participation and constructive contributions to the community. Regular gatherings are informal and lightly facilitated to offer opportunities for connecting with others and learning to become a better practitioner.
Wellbeing Community of Practice
Launching fall 2025
This Community of Practice (CoP) invites educators who recognize through observation or personal experience (or both!) the centrality of wellbeing as a necessary precondition for the work we do as educators and work that students do as learners. It is a space to connect with colleagues while gaining insights into how to restore or enhance our wellbeing and how to better achieve our goals for student learning by recognizing and supporting their wellbeing needs.
CoP members who seek inspiration to implement wellbeing practices for self and for students will have a community for mutual mentoring, encouragement, and support. Meetings typically occur 1-2 times a quarter throughout the academic year as a complement to ongoing interactions online.
Joining the CoP means you will receive meeting reminders, be able to join exchanges among members, and access the CoP's Canvas site for resources and support. You will also get opportunities to participate in skill-building experiences, such as taking the "Mental Health First Aid" workshop and others.
Sign up below:
Grading For Equity Community of Practice
AY 2024-25
Join The Grading Conference | June 11-13, 2025
Cal Poly educators interested in learning from colleagues across higher education about alternatives to traditional grading practices are invited to participate in this annual three-day online conference mid-June. Almost two dozen Cal Poly faculty participated last year and reported that it was a rich source of information and inspiration. See conference website.
As the CTLT did last year, we have pre-paid conference registration fees for Cal Poly educators to encourage participation. For those who can commit to going, use this registration form set up specifically for Cal Poly educators to have your fees covered.
One of the more powerful ways that faculty can contribute to making students' experiences more inclusive is through adopting equitable grading practices.
This Community of Practice (CoP) invites faculty who are feeling dissatisfied with traditional grading practices to learn about equity-driven grading practices. Many of the CoP's current members have participated in one or more of the CTLT's related book circles: Grading For Equity, by Joe Feldman, Life Beyond Grades, by Covington, van Hoene and Voge, and/or Grading for Growth, by David Clark and Robert Talbert.
The CoPs primary source book is Grading for Equity, by Joe Feldman, which is available for free through Kennedy Library (Download book from the Kennedy Library website). The book examines the origins and shortcomings of traditional grading practices and provides extensive guidance for grading practices that are more accurate, more motivating and more equitable.
With that shared foundation, CoP members who are inspired to implement some of the recommended equitable grading practices have a community for mutual mentoring, encouragement, and support. Meetings typically occur 1-2 times a quarter throughout the academic year as a complement to ongoing interactions online.
If you're interested in learning more, contact Dr. Patrick O'Sullivan, CTLT director (posulliv at calpoly.edu).
If you're interested in joining the CoP (which means adding you to CoP emails and accessing the CoP's Canvas site for resources and support; no other obligations!), please complete this form:
GRADING FOR EQUITY CoP SIGNUP FORM
