Effective Teaching Practices
Identifying and Maximizing Classroom Features //
For in-person teaching, the layout of a classroom can impact instruction. For example, having students work in groups in a classroom with fixed furniture can be challenging. Sometimes a computer lab is needed based on the activities in a course. As part of preparing in-person instruction, it is helpful to know what physical features and technology are available in a classroom. Fortunately, we have an online resource that provides this information: 25Live.
All classrooms on our campus can be located in 25Live. This online resource provides details regarding the physical features of classrooms and the technology provided in each room. Faculty can look up their assigned classroom(s) on 25Live and explore the features of the room. If faculty are looking for a specific type of room to request for an event or possibly a class, 25Live can be helpful for exploring features of rooms. Here are videos on how to navigate and use 25Live.
Finding Classrooms with Specific Features
Request Rooms for One-Time Special Purposes
Lookup Information about a Classroom
Save a Search for Quick Reference
If you have questions about how to maximize the physical space of a classroom for your teaching, please schedule a consultation with a member of the CTE team.
Weekly Teaching Insights //
Each week, the Center is sending a Teaching Insight that provides an idea, suggestion, or resource for classroom instruction. Once a Teaching Insight in published, it can be located here on our website.
Engaging with the Syllabus
Boost Student Success from the Start: Incorporate an interactive syllabus review to engage students, build community, and address common questions.
More Resources //
Faculty Newsletter: Honing Your Craft
In this final newsletter of the academic year, we share a few recommendations for honing your teaching practice and exploring innovative and evidence-based approaches that increase student engagement and foster deeper learning.
Faculty Newsletter: Ending the Semester with Intention
As the semester ends, take time to reflect on the learning experience you have shared with your students. End the semester thoughtfully by expressing gratitude, providing “wise feedback,” and reinforcing the knowledge and skills they have gained.
Faculty Newsletter: Assessing Student Writing
The final weeks of the semester often means investing hours in grading students’ written work. Here we explore strategies to strengthen your ability to provide students with targeted, actionable feedback while streamlining your grading process.
Faculty Newsletter: The Power of Reflection and Discussion
Reflection and discussion activities have long been used to engage students in all modes of teaching. Thoughtfully implementing them in your courses can expose students to differing viewpoints, invite respectful disagreement, and open opportunities for inclusive learning.
Faculty Newsletter: Culturally Competent Pedagogy
Ignoring a diversity of experiences, preferences, and expectations leads educators to advantage the needs and style of the dominant group and perpetuate existing gaps in achievement. In this issue, we examine pedagogical considerations that can reduce or eliminate this type of systemic bias.
Faculty Newsletter: Developing Successful Students
There is much about teaching and learning that is challenging. In this week’s newsletter, we highlight some simple steps you can take to make the process a bit easier.
Faculty Newsletter: Student Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Tools like ChatGPT are forcing many educators to re-examine their approach to learning and communicate the value of learning to students. Many educators are concerned that these tools will enable widespread cheating while others see tremendous opportunity for using the tools to help students improve their writing and understanding of course content.
Faculty Newsletter: Promoting Academic Integrity
The latest Student Voice survey, conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse, gathered students’ thoughts on cheating – how often it occurs, what kinds of behaviors count as cheating, and what makes them more (or less) likely to cheat (Ezarik, 2021a). Importantly, faculty can play a meaningful role in promoting greater integrity through specific communication practices and assessment design.
Faculty Newsletter: Preparing for a Successful Start
In this newsletter, we focus on strategies for developing greater understanding of the learners in your courses with the Who’s In Class Form, enhancing student engagement with understanding the syllabus, and fostering a sense of belonging during the first week of class.
Faculty Newsletter: End of Semester Message
As we approach the end of our Fall 2022 semester and eagerly anticipate the rest and respite of winter break, the Center for Teaching Excellence acknowledges and celebrates your dedication to guiding our students through their academic journeys.