Center for Excellence in TeachingOpen-book or take-home exams online
Considerations for administering exams online as open-book or take-home exams.
Resources: Gen Ed courses
First day of class for TAs
A checklist of the content recommended for the first day of holding a section in a new semester. The checklist is appropriate for both classroom and online courses.
Effective groupwork
A collection of tips for promoting effective groupwork, a sample form for having students in a group evaluate the level of participation form group members, and recommendations for further resources.
CET review of instructor assessment practices template
This is a guide for both the instructor submitting student work samples, and the reviewer evaluating the instructor’s graded student work samples.
Writing course-specific policies
A description of the process for writing or revising course-specific policies, and examples of communication, technology, and in-class work policies.
What to say: communicating with students who may need additional support
This resource is your step-by-step guide to begin a conversation with the student in a way that shows you care. You don’t need to be a therapist, but you can be kind and supportive while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Use of social media in academic courses
Use of social media platforms in academic courses. Specifically, considering requiring students to post on social media platforms that are not secured by USC, such as through Shibboleth verification.
Test question design
A comparison chart of test question types that outlines the purpose of each question type, or why you would elect to use that type of question on a test. The chart also includes tips for writing each type of question. The set of reflection prompts can be used as a final check of each question you have designed.
Teaching statement evaluation guide
A teaching statement is a written reflection by a faculty member on their teaching experience. This document is a guide for reviewing a faculty peer’s teaching statement. The guide can be adjusted to accommodate school-specific requirements. Faculty preparing their teaching statements for review should have access to the associated template prior to their statement submission.
Peer feedback form for group presentations
A sample form for use by students when they are observing other students’ class presentations, focusing on constructive suggestions for improvement.