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: Word document
The first day of class
A checklist of the content recommended for the first day of class in a new semester. The checklist is appropriate for both classroom and online courses.
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.
Sample assignment descriptions
A collection of assignment descriptions from actual USC courses. The assignment descriptions follow best practices in terms of connecting the assignment to the course learning objective(s), providing a narrative overview of the assignment, indicating the steps required to complete the assignment, and referencing how the assignment will be graded.
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.
Introducing your course with video
Recommendations and tips for making an introductory video for one of your courses, which can be shared with students via email or through an LMS, such as Blackboard. Also included is a sample script template to help structure the video content.
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.