A long-time leader in education, Trent University is taking new steps to further support teaching and learning with the launch of the Trent Teaching Commons (TTC), a merger of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and Trent Online.  

“The Trent Teaching Commons will be a welcoming space to support and recognize effective teaching, infuse Indigenous ways of thinking and doing into how we teach, design human centric digital learning experiences, and research and develop effective teaching practices," says Dr. Fergal O’Hagan, acting dean of Trent University’s School of Education. 

Seamless, Comprehensive Service 

Through the TTC, faculty and instructors at Trent University will be able to seamlessly access supports for both in-person teaching (formerly offered through CTL) and online course design and development (previously offered by Trent Online) in one department. As a cohesive entity, the TTC will streamline efforts and improve service efficiency without disrupting existing services or processes. 

The TTC reflects the University’s goal of providing comprehensive support for faculty and instructors in digital pedagogy, Indigenous pedagogy, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Whether it's in the classroom, in the field, or online, The TTC’s aim is to provide support for faculty and instructors in all contexts, and work to enrich all of the different learning experiences we offer here at Trent. 

“Our goal is the continued support of our instructional community so that we can get the most out of teaching and learning together,” says Dr. Kristy Buccieri, acting associate dean of the new Trent Teaching Commons. 

Teaching Resources and Support

The TTC offers a comprehensive suite of services to support faculty and instructors, including:  

• One-to-one consultations with education developers to solve course specific challenges as well as develop and support a wide range of learning experiences, 
• Online course development support from start to finish, working to exceed expectations when it comes to pedagogical best practices, accessibility, and creative designs, 
• Faculty workshops, training sessions, panels, talks by visiting scholars, and pedagogical resources to keep educators at the forefront of teaching trends, 
• Guidelines and support regarding generative AI use both within Trent and in the broader scholastic community, 
• Mentorship and funding for research on innovative teaching practices via Trent’s Teaching Fellowships, and  
• Support for integrating Indigenous Knowledges and Pedagogies into the curriculum, with dedicated faculty consultations. 

The TTC also champions the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Our expert staff offer mentorship and funding for research on innovative teaching practices via Trent’s Teaching Fellowships. The TTC is also the home of the Teaching Awards and recognition programs that celebrate the exceptional contributions of faculty members and instructors. The Monthly Newsletter "Teaching Notes" keeps the Trent community informed with valuable tips, resources, and event announcements. 

Resources, supports, services, events and other programming offered by The Trent Teaching Commons are available at trentu.ca/teaching.  

For more details or questions please reach out to Eddie Gluck, Administrative Coordinator, at (705) 748-1011 x7194, email teachingcommons@trentu.ca.