Instructional Improvement

Collegium of University Teaching Fellows
The Collegium of University Teaching Fellows (CUTF) is an innovative program that creates unique learning opportunities for both graduate teaching fellows and undergraduate students on campus. Through the program, some of UCLA's very best advanced graduate students have the opportunity to develop and teach a lower division seminar in their field of specialization on a one-time only basis. This experience serves as a “capstone” to the teaching apprenticeship, preparing them for the academic job market and their role as future faculty. At the same time, undergraduates enrolled in CUTF seminars have the chance to take courses that are at the cutting edge of a discipline, and to experience the benefits of participating in a small-seminar environment.

Evaluation of Instruction Program
The Evaluation of Instruction Program (EIP) helps to assess and improve teaching by providing instructor evaluation services for faculty and TAs across campus. EIP was instituted to help academic departments conduct systematic instructor and course evaluations. The Academic Senate requires evidence of teaching effectiveness in all files reviewed by the Council on Academic Personnel. In many cases, such evidence includes student responses on evaluation forms developed and processed by EIP. Test scoring services are also available for regularly scheduled classes.

Teaching Assistant Training Program
The role of Teaching Assistant is a valued part of many graduate student careers and TAs play a significant role in the instruction of undergraduates at UCLA. The TA Training Program at UCLA is designed to help TAs develop good teaching skills and enhance undergraduate education. The TA Training Program develops and administers a number of program activities and resources across campus, including a Campuswide TA Conference and two quarter-long TA training seminars.

Community Based Learning
The UCLA Community Based Learning Program (CBL) was founded as a vehicle to bring the resources of the university, especially its faculty and students, to the under-served communities of Los Angeles. The mission of CBL is to assist youth, both teen-agers and young adults, with the transition from youth to adulthood. This includes encouraging youth to move from secondary to post-secondary education and on to meaningful careers and productive adult lives. For the past 15 years, the program has worked with partners in the community, including schools, religious institutions and community based organizations, to provide youth development activities, job training and educational services to young people throughout the City of Los Angeles. Historically, CBL has been engaged in communities of color with young people who have limited education and work experience. An important objective of the program is to introduce young people to cultural, educational and work experiences that take them outside their immediate communities.