Center for Excellence in TeachingDesigning reflection assessments
A description of a five-step model that instructors can use in designing in-class reflective assignments.
Resources: Document
The First Day of Class
This resource provides strategies and considerations for designing an effective and inclusive “first day” experience for students in a course. It includes strategies appropriate for both on-ground and online/hybrid courses.
Keywords: first day, inclusive teaching, community agreements, syllabus, belonging.
Promoting intrinsic motivation
A collection of strategies for increasing student intrinsic motivation, organized by three motivational factors.
Course alignment grid
An explanation of course alignment, how to achieve it using a course alignment grid template, and sample grid of a well-aligned course.
Writing Learning Objectives
A concise how-to process for developing specific and measurable course learning objectives. Intended as an introduction for new instructors or a reminder for experienced instructors. Keywords: Learning objectives, course design, assessment, bloom’s taxonomy, goals.
Learning 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.
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.