Center for Excellence in TeachingTrauma-informed teaching
Teaching and course design practices that can help mitigate the negative impact stress and trauma can have on students’ learning.
Resources: Inclusive teaching
Reducing student stress research
A selection of literature resources discussing the impacts of stress on student learning.
Classroom environment research
A selection of literature resources discussing the impact of classroom environment on student learning.
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.
Instructor presence
Principles for fostering instructor presence in online courses.
Effective direct instruction
The development and delivery of course content, including principles of multimedia instruction, flipped resources, and inclusivity.
Challenging discussions 7: Evaluation of efforts
Methods of evaluating the effectiveness of academic discussions and increasing their impact on students.