Center for Excellence in TeachingLearning theories
An overview of fundamental aspects of the leading learning theories. University instructors use these theories to inform the decisions they make about their teaching/instruction with the goal of making it more effective.
Resources: Faculty
In-class work as participation
This guide serves as an explanation of using in-class work to evaluate student participation, and why in-class work is preferred over less-structured forms of participation. Suggestions for facilitating in-class work, and samples, are provided.
Formative peer evaluation processes
Overview of a generalized process for accomplishing faculty peer review.
Flipped course design
An introduction to the flipped course, a course design style that is more consistent with theories of human learning than traditional lecture-style courses and supported by educational research.
Faculty Decision Guide
A quick-reference tool to help faculty respond effectively to common student situations. For each scenario, the guide outlines the required steps and recommended actions for appropriate student support.
Facilitating a rubric norming session for TAs
A description of a norming session, and a recommended facilitation process for holding a norming session that trains multiple TAs of the same course to grade consistently using a rubric.
Effective instructor feedback
An introduction to instructor feedback, including examples.
Hybrid streaming course design model
This resource provides an explanation of a hybrid streaming course design model, sometimes referred to as HyFlex, and faculty considerations for course planning and design.
Observation guide for the active-learning classroom
Questions for faculty observing a peer’s class to evaluate the active learning taking place in an onground or synchronous online class. Active learning are activities in which students practice course concepts during class.
Mid-semester evaluation
A stepwise procedure for implementing mid-semester surveys of students directed toward the improvement of a course, plus some tips on survey question creation.