Center for Excellence in TeachingFirst 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.
Resources: Teaching
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.
Discussion forum best practices: an introduction
A robust primer on online discussion forum assignments
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.
Tips for recording video lectures
Recommendations for faculty who wish to create instructional videos for use in their courses, oriented toward faculty with little or no experience in video creation. Tips include both important considerations for visual support materials and advice about recording your speaking voice. Also includes a list of digital tools for video creation.
Time zone options
Local times corresponding to various time frames in Pacific time, useful for planning course components for students in other time zones.
Student-led discussions for onground and synchronous online classes
A stepwise procedure for implementing student-led discussions, from syllabus design through classroom facilitation. Also included are tips on promoting a positive classroom environment for student-led discussions.
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.
Icebreakers
An outline of the process for facilitating an icebreaker activity in class, and several icebreaker formats that can be used in onground and online courses.