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: Policies
Trauma-informed teaching
Teaching and course design practices that can help mitigate the negative impact stress and trauma can have on students’ learning.
USC CET Education Research Bibliography
This annotated bibliography of selected educational literature was developed to support USC faculty, administrators, and schools in the development and evaluation of excellence in teaching. The focus, particularly in the section Teaching Best Practices in the USC Definition of Excellence in Teaching Criteria, is on published research that experimentally validates the effectiveness of practices that promote student learning outcomes.
Student surveys research
A selection of literature resources discussing the use of student surveys for the evaluation of teaching quality.
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.
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 1: Welcome and introduction
An introduction to the CET Challenging Discussions series and the principles guiding its development.
Netiquette considerations
“Netiquette” or “internet etiquette,” describes the recommended communication and behavior of online communication. Having a netiquette policy for your course can help minimize the chances of miscommunication and perceived disrespect.
TA decision guide
This document is a job aid to assist TAs with supporting students who may be in the following situations. For each situation, required or recommended actions are specified.