Center for Excellence in TeachingTrauma-informed teaching
A compilation of teaching techniques and strategies that can minimize unproductive stress in students and support students who are dealing with trauma.
Resources: Course design
Trauma-informed teaching
Teaching and course design practices that can help mitigate the negative impact stress and trauma can have on students’ learning.
Academic discussion protocols
A list of specific protocols for leading onground and online academic discussions.
Foundations of CET pedagogy
The following set of videos provide an overview of the theories, models, techniques, and strategies promoted by the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching.
Challenging discussions modules 1-7
Challenging Discussions is a resource for USC faculty who would like help in managing potentially difficult dialogues in their classes. This series focuses on handling discussions that involve emotionally charged, controversial, or sometimes deeply personal topics. Modules cover all aspects of incorporating discussions in courses, including course design and discussion facilitation.
Reaching all students
Inclusive teaching through Universal Design for Learning (UDL), setting the course environment, classroom norms, accommodations, and authentic assessment.
Promoting student growth
Developing student skill levels through scaffolding, a growth mindset, a positive class environment, aligned assessments, effective assignment descriptions, and transparent grading.
Core principles of instruction
Foundational teaching principles, including course design, learning objectives, course alignment, assessment, and lesson structure.
Challenging discussions 4: Plan a challenging discussion
Strategies for planning class discussions, including a positive class atmosphere, discussion norms, grading discussions, and acceptable sources of information.
Challenging discussions 2: Inclusive course design
Inclusivity considerations when designing courses and syllabi, including discussions about controversial topics.