Todd D. Zakrajsek

The science of learning
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), USA

Todd D. Zakrajsek, PhD, is an associate professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), USA and Director of five annual Lilly Teaching Conferences. Todd was a tenured associate professor of psychology and established or led faculty development efforts at three universities before joining the UNC School of Medicine. Todd provides resources for faculty topics related to teaching and learning, leadership, and research and has served on many educationally related boards, including The Journal of Excellence in College Teaching, International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, College Teaching, and Education in the Health Professions. Todd has consulted with organizations such as The American Council on Education (ACE), Lenovo Computer, Microsoft, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has delivered keynote addresses and campus workshops at over 300 conferences and university campuses. Todd’s recently co-authored books include Advancing Online Teaching (2021); Teaching for Learning- 2nd Ed (2021), The New Science of Learning (2nd Ed) (2019); and Dynamic Lecturing (2017).

Develop your teaching with Todd D. Zakrajsek
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Engaged Faculty, Engaged Students
by Mays Imad, Todd D. Zakrajsek, James M. Lang, C. Edward Watson, Olivia Fleming
This page contains the proceedings of the 'Engaged Faculty, Engaged Students: Planning for FY24' webinar, hosted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and OneHE.
Webinar recording
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Small Teaching: Predicting
by Todd D. Zakrajsek, James M. Lang

The act of making predictions activates prior knowledge and deepens learning. In this course, we will look at ways you can embed prediction into your classes, whether in person or online.

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Learning Styles: Understanding the Myth and the Opportunity
by Todd D. Zakrajsek
This page contains the proceedings of the Show and Share webinar led by Todd D. Zakrajsek. Todd explored the persistence of the learning styles myth, challenged its effectiveness, and suggested evidence-based alternatives for effective teaching practices.
Webinar recording
A Brief Guide to Effective Mini-Lectures
A Brief Guide to Effective Mini-Lectures
by Todd D. Zakrajsek
In this short video, Todd Zakrajsek shares research-based insights on mini-lectures and provides valuable tips on how to effectively use them to enhance your students’ learning experiences.
Resource
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Helping Students Learn How to Learn
by Todd D. Zakrajsek

We don't tend to explain to students how learning takes place, but a short intervention on this topic can have significant, lasting, long-term benefits.

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What is Ungrading: A Perspective from Jesse Stommel
by Jesse Stommel, Todd D. Zakrajsek
In this video, Todd Zakrajsek chats to Jesse Stommel about his latest thoughts on using grades for assessing students' work in Higher Education.
Video discussion
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Small Teaching: Interleaving
by Todd D. Zakrajsek, James M. Lang

Interleaving - the spacing out and mixing up of learning activities over time - promotes long-term knowledge retention. In this course, we look at how you can interleave within a unit of study, across a module and an entire course to maximise impact on student learning. 

Course
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The Science Of Learning
by James M. Lang, Flower Darby, Derek Bruff, Todd D. Zakrajsek
Over the last few decades, neuroscience has done much to unlock how we learn. This learning path highlights the main findings, and how you can apply these lessons in your classes.
Learning path
How to Establish and Manage a Successful Center for Teaching and Learning
How to Establish and Manage a Successful Center for Teaching and Learning
by Chris Hakala, C. Edward Watson, Todd D. Zakrajsek, James M. Lang

CTL Directors explain how to lay solid foundations for your center so you can create successful collaborations with faculty and senior stakeholders.

Leadership Course
Invitation to University Teaching
Introduction To Teaching In Higher Education
by James M. Lang, Chris Hakala, Todd D. Zakrajsek, Jay Howard, Derek Bruff, Naomi Winstone, Sam Elkington, Dawn Marie Gilmore
If you're new to teaching in higher education or want to brush up on those foundational concepts and skills, this learning path provides a rapid grounding in the essentials and suggestions for further study.
Learning path
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Pathway to Success: Getting Started as a Leader of Teaching and Learning Development
by Chris Hakala, C. Edward Watson, Todd D. Zakrajsek, James M. Lang
The aim of this pathway is to provide new and experienced center directors a way to share our experience with one another in a way that benefits everyone.
Learning path
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Classroom Practice: Engaged Lecturing
by Todd D. Zakrajsek

Lecturing, done well, engages the students in the learning process by stimulating interest in the topic, helping students to retrieve prior knowledge, and encouraging reflection to solidify newly learned information.

Course
Strategic Positioning, Budgeting, and Growth_ Lessons Learned from Successful Center Leaders
Strategic Positioning, Budgeting, and Growth: Lessons Learned from Successful Center Leaders 
by Chris Hakala, C. Edward Watson, Todd D. Zakrajsek, James M. Lang

CTL Directors explore how they make best use of their budgets to deliver on those activities of most value to their faculty and institutions.

Leadership Course