Spring Pedagogical Institute

The CTE's annual Spring Pedagogical Institute (SPI), formerly the Student Engagement and Inclusion Institute, offers a select group of faculty the opportunity to collaborate during the week following graduation. The focus of the event changes each year in response to faculty needs.

In May 2026, the first day of SPI (May 18) will focus on onboarding the 2026-2027 cohort of CTE Liaisons. The second day (May 19) will serve as a Course Design with Generative AI Retreat. Both events will be held at the beautiful Dallas Arboretum.  

Course Design Retreat Information

The Center for Teaching Excellence invites faculty to participate in a one-dayCourse Design with Generative AI Retreat as part of the2026 Spring Pedagogical Institute. This immersive working session is designed for faculty who want to build a course from scratch or completely rethink an existing course.

In a focused retreat setting at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 10 selected SMU faculty will work in disciplinary pairs and use Generative AI tools, guided prompts, and structured design time to develop the core elements of a course in a single day.

With support from CTE staff and thoughtfully designed prompts, participants will move step by step through the Backward Design course design process. By the end of the retreat, faculty will have made substantial progress toward a fully designed course.

What Participants Can Expect to Accomplish

  • Measurable course learning outcomes
  • Assessment strategies
  • New assignments aligned to the course’s outcomes
  • A course structure and module outline
  • Assignment rubrics
  • Lesson plans

Collaborative Discipline-Based Pairs

Participants will be paired with a colleague in a similar discipline if available. Working alongside a disciplinary partner allows faculty to exchange ideas, discuss assignments, and refine course structures throughout the day. A total of 10 faculty members (5 pairs) will be selected for the retreat to maintain an intensive and collaborative working environment.

Who Should Apply

Full-time faculty are encouraged to apply, particularly if they are designing a new course or redesigning an existing course from the ground up.

What to Bring

Participants should bring a laptop and charger, a course idea with accompanying core materials, or an existing syllabus.

Expectations

Participants are expected to attend the entire retreat (9:00 AM – 3:30 PM),  actively participate in collaborative course design activities, and engage in guided Generative AI-supported design exercises.

Retreat Experience

This retreat is designed as a focused working day away from campus distractions. Participants will have dedicated time to design their courses in a supportive environment. The CTE will provide breakfast, lunch, afternoon desserts, coffee, and beverages throughout the day. Professional development credit will be recorded in their CTE Passports (and will be reported to their department chairs and schools), and optional follow-up consultations with CTE staff to finish any work still left incomplete will be available.

Application Information

Applications should include:

  • Full Name
  • SMU Email
  • School
  • Department
  • Proposed course name and description
  • The stage of course development and the proposed launch date
  • A brief explanation of why you would like to redesign or develop the course

 

Applications are open until April 24, 2026. Notification of acceptance will be sent on May 1, 2026. Additional logistics information will be shared with the selected participants.Applications will be reviewed by the CTE staff. If more than 10 participants apply, selections will be made based on disciplinary diversity, readiness for course design or redesign, and the rationale provided in the application.