Don't miss the exciting new lineup of workshops offered by the Teaching Commons this Spring Quarter. Visit the Teaching Commons Workshops page to learn more and RSVP online.
In Teaching with e-Portfolios, you will hear how e-Portfolios have been implemented in one program's learning-outcomes-based pedagogy during the past year, the scholarship that informs that pedagogy, and learn concrete strategies for making them work.
In Connecting Your Class to the "Real World", faculty members in the humanities and the social sciences will discuss strategies for connecting course work to the "real world" and share ideas about how to enhance student buy-in without compromising the integrity of the course’s learning goals.
In Election 2012: A Teachable Moment, a Political Science professor focuses on how faculty members can productively engage the upcoming election in their courses, both through class discussions and more substantive course assignments.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, September 30, 2011
Autumn Quarter 2011 Workshops
Don't miss the exciting new lineup of workshops offered by the Teaching Commons this Autumn Quarter. Visit the Teaching Commons Workshops page to learn more and RSVP online.
In Teaching with Archives & Special Collections, faculty members from different disciplines will use hands-on demonstrations to show how they've built research-based assignments around the Libraries' archives and special collections.
In Commenting on Student Writing, DePaul's resident writing experts will share their insights on how to prioritize comments, compose helpful end notes, and avoid "over-commenting" on student work.
In the Neuroscience & Learning workshop, participants will learn about neuroplasticity, mirror neurons, and other important concepts, but more importantly they will see how the field of neuroscience might inform their teaching practices.
In Teaching with Archives & Special Collections, faculty members from different disciplines will use hands-on demonstrations to show how they've built research-based assignments around the Libraries' archives and special collections.
In Commenting on Student Writing, DePaul's resident writing experts will share their insights on how to prioritize comments, compose helpful end notes, and avoid "over-commenting" on student work.
In the Neuroscience & Learning workshop, participants will learn about neuroplasticity, mirror neurons, and other important concepts, but more importantly they will see how the field of neuroscience might inform their teaching practices.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Resources for the Start of the Quarter
Autumn Quarter classes begin on Wednesday, September 7th, 2011. These resources will help instructors prepare for the start of what is often a particularly hectic quarter:
The Course Design section of the Teaching Commons offers resources on developing a course, constructing a syllabus, and choosing course materials.
Need help navigating the various websites and technology resources that are available to faculty? Check out the page on Campus Connection for information on accessing your course schedule and roster. For those using Desire2Learn (D2L), this website is the only place to find DePaul's official tutorials and quickguides.
The latest Teaching Commons video series, DePaul Faculty Oral Histories, provides a range of experiences, insights, and strategies from faculty members, including clips on preparing to teach.
The Course Design section of the Teaching Commons offers resources on developing a course, constructing a syllabus, and choosing course materials.
Need help navigating the various websites and technology resources that are available to faculty? Check out the page on Campus Connection for information on accessing your course schedule and roster. For those using Desire2Learn (D2L), this website is the only place to find DePaul's official tutorials and quickguides.
The latest Teaching Commons video series, DePaul Faculty Oral Histories, provides a range of experiences, insights, and strategies from faculty members, including clips on preparing to teach.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching & Learning: July Edition
Tired of spending entire evenings looking for the perfect YouTube clip to show in class? PBS has just released LearningMedia, a free and easily searchable media library with over 14,000 resources for teachers at all levels.
ProfHacker offers some tips for those teaching evening classes in "When Teaching Goes Past Your Bedtime."
The Center for Research on Teaching and Learning at the University of Michigan provides a collection of resources that deal with incivility in the classroom.
The University of Venus blog gathers inspiring thoughts from educators around the country in "What We Love About Higher Ed."
ProfHacker offers some tips for those teaching evening classes in "When Teaching Goes Past Your Bedtime."
The Center for Research on Teaching and Learning at the University of Michigan provides a collection of resources that deal with incivility in the classroom.
The University of Venus blog gathers inspiring thoughts from educators around the country in "What We Love About Higher Ed."
Monday, June 13, 2011
Summer Course Planning
Summer is a great time to plan new courses or revise existing ones, so here are some particularly useful course design resources:
The files listed on our Syllabus Boilerplates page allow faculty to easily copy and paste required/recommended syllabus statements from existing Word documents.
The Chronicle offers a helpful breakdown of four major learning models, which are important to consider when writing new assignments or considering learning objectives.
When it comes to actually writing learning outcomes in your syllabus, Articulate Your Learning Objectives from Carnegie Mellon University offers extremely helpful and concrete advice.
It can be difficult for teachers to know when they should be at a certain stage in their course design process, so this suggested course design calendar offers a flexible set of guidelines to help stay on pace before (and during) Autumn Quarter.
The files listed on our Syllabus Boilerplates page allow faculty to easily copy and paste required/recommended syllabus statements from existing Word documents.
The Chronicle offers a helpful breakdown of four major learning models, which are important to consider when writing new assignments or considering learning objectives.
When it comes to actually writing learning outcomes in your syllabus, Articulate Your Learning Objectives from Carnegie Mellon University offers extremely helpful and concrete advice.
It can be difficult for teachers to know when they should be at a certain stage in their course design process, so this suggested course design calendar offers a flexible set of guidelines to help stay on pace before (and during) Autumn Quarter.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The End of the Quarter (and Year!)
As we near the end of Spring Quarter 2011, we're also putting the finishing touches on Academic Year 2010-11. These resources will help instructors get through the next two weeks and begin planning for next year:
Try adding customized questions to your online teaching evaluations.
Design tests and quizzes that assess student learning and also motivate them to engage with the material.
Be sure to submit grades through Campus Connection. As a number of faculty members have asked recently, releasing grades in D2L is not the way to record official course grades.
It's never to early to start thinking about your courses for Academic Year 2011-12. This might involve revising your syllabus, rethinking your course goals, or designing new assignments.
Try adding customized questions to your online teaching evaluations.
Design tests and quizzes that assess student learning and also motivate them to engage with the material.
Be sure to submit grades through Campus Connection. As a number of faculty members have asked recently, releasing grades in D2L is not the way to record official course grades.
It's never to early to start thinking about your courses for Academic Year 2011-12. This might involve revising your syllabus, rethinking your course goals, or designing new assignments.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching & Learning: May 2nd Edition
It's the beginning of the month, which means that a new Teaching Carnival is now available on ProfHacker!
A Prezi by Brandon Lutz called "60 in 60: Web 2.0 Tools" highlights 60 websites and applications that teachers can use to enrich their courses.
Faculty Focus offers some quick, practical tips for facilitating better discussions in class.
A Northwestern professor's post on the University of Venus blog offers a unique perspective on the quarter system
A Prezi by Brandon Lutz called "60 in 60: Web 2.0 Tools" highlights 60 websites and applications that teachers can use to enrich their courses.
Faculty Focus offers some quick, practical tips for facilitating better discussions in class.
A Northwestern professor's post on the University of Venus blog offers a unique perspective on the quarter system
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Teaching and Sustainability
DePaul's new sustainability website illustrates some of the important new initiatives taking place across the university. After learning more about sustainability at DePaul, these resources may provide some ideas for bringing the subject into the classroom:
An easy-to-use online Carbon Footprint Calculator will prompt students to consider their own impact on the environment.
Vanderbilt's Center for Teaching offers some concrete tips for teaching sustainability and points to further resources on the topic.
The Ecological Society of America provides helpful ecological fact-sheets that instructors could use to spark discussions or in-class writing exercises.
An easy-to-use online Carbon Footprint Calculator will prompt students to consider their own impact on the environment.
Vanderbilt's Center for Teaching offers some concrete tips for teaching sustainability and points to further resources on the topic.
The Ecological Society of America provides helpful ecological fact-sheets that instructors could use to spark discussions or in-class writing exercises.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching and Learning: April 7th Edition
This month's Teaching Carnival is now posted on ProfHacker and features dozens of carefully selected teaching articles, resources, and blog posts.
An article from Inside Higher Ed addresses the NCTE's "Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing," which points to the ways in which teachers must increasingly adapt traditional measures of "standard" student writing.
Faculty Focus offers an interesting perspective on how the language used in online discussion rubrics might not be sensitive to increasing international and cultural diversity at most schools.
Melissa from Faculty Instructional Technology Services (FITS) addresses how instructional technologies are evaluated and adopted at DePaul and why it's so important for faculty voices from across the university to be part of that process.
An article from Inside Higher Ed addresses the NCTE's "Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing," which points to the ways in which teachers must increasingly adapt traditional measures of "standard" student writing.
Faculty Focus offers an interesting perspective on how the language used in online discussion rubrics might not be sensitive to increasing international and cultural diversity at most schools.
Melissa from Faculty Instructional Technology Services (FITS) addresses how instructional technologies are evaluated and adopted at DePaul and why it's so important for faculty voices from across the university to be part of that process.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The First Two Weeks
Welcome back from spring "break"! Or, in reality, welcome back from your week of grading! Here are some helpful resources for the first two weeks of class:
Make the most of the first day of class and take the time to introduce yourself effectively.
Spend some time getting to know your students (without relying too heavily on the Beloit College Mindset List...).
Gauge your students' prior knowledge early in the quarter. One good way to do this is through the use of low-stakes assessment exercises.
Design effective assignments that in some way reflect the course goals and learning objectives that you articulated on the syllabus.
Make the most of the first day of class and take the time to introduce yourself effectively.
Spend some time getting to know your students (without relying too heavily on the Beloit College Mindset List...).
Gauge your students' prior knowledge early in the quarter. One good way to do this is through the use of low-stakes assessment exercises.
Design effective assignments that in some way reflect the course goals and learning objectives that you articulated on the syllabus.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Notes from the EDUCAUSE Conference
Several Teaching Commons contributors recently attended the EDUCAUSE Midwest Regional Conference, which focuses on the use of technology in higher education. Here are just a few of the pedagogical and technological highlights from the conference:
Keynote speaker Michael Wesch shared his thoughts on the role of new media in contemporary teaching. As part of his presentation, Professor Wesch shared two YouTube videos that he and his students made together (which have been viewed a combined 15 million times!): "Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us" and "A Vision of Students Today."
An open-source photo and document organizer called Gallery is a potentially useful tool for those teaching classes that focus heavily on images.
There was quite a buzz in the air about the emerging open textbook trend, which is summarized in "7 Things You Should Know About Open Textbook Publishing."
The popular (and free!) screencasting program Jing allows teachers to record video of their computer screen as well as audio, which is useful for disseminating specific instructions, feedback, or short explanations to students.
Keynote speaker Michael Wesch shared his thoughts on the role of new media in contemporary teaching. As part of his presentation, Professor Wesch shared two YouTube videos that he and his students made together (which have been viewed a combined 15 million times!): "Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us" and "A Vision of Students Today."
An open-source photo and document organizer called Gallery is a potentially useful tool for those teaching classes that focus heavily on images.
There was quite a buzz in the air about the emerging open textbook trend, which is summarized in "7 Things You Should Know About Open Textbook Publishing."
The popular (and free!) screencasting program Jing allows teachers to record video of their computer screen as well as audio, which is useful for disseminating specific instructions, feedback, or short explanations to students.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching and Learning: March 7th Edition
One ProfHacker blogger reflects on the pedagogical benefits of replacing his regularly scheduled "jeremiads" with more subtle and effective pedagogical approaches.
Lauri Dietz, Director of the University Center for Writing-based Learning, discusses the often misunderstood relationship between peer tutoring and assessment.
Faculty Focus raises the important issue of faculty expectations and also challenges instructors to help students take responsibility for their learning.
Cartoonist Matthew Henry Hall captures a student's perspective on note-taking in the digital age as part of his Teachable Moments series from Inside Higher Ed.
Lauri Dietz, Director of the University Center for Writing-based Learning, discusses the often misunderstood relationship between peer tutoring and assessment.
Faculty Focus raises the important issue of faculty expectations and also challenges instructors to help students take responsibility for their learning.
Cartoonist Matthew Henry Hall captures a student's perspective on note-taking in the digital age as part of his Teachable Moments series from Inside Higher Ed.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching and Learning: Feb. 23rd Edition
The current issue of the Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning features articles on refutational teaching, community-based language instruction, procrastination during group projects, and much more.
ProfHacker suggests that a "writing contract" can help instructors avoid grading huge stacks of papers by allowing students to generate their own individual deadlines.
The Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning blog shares some potentially startling statistics on internet access in the U.S., which is increasingly important as more and more faculty members incorporate web-based technologies into their classes.
Faculty Focus makes a case for small-group exams and quizzes, which may involve collaboration before, during, or after the test itself.
ProfHacker suggests that a "writing contract" can help instructors avoid grading huge stacks of papers by allowing students to generate their own individual deadlines.
The Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning blog shares some potentially startling statistics on internet access in the U.S., which is increasingly important as more and more faculty members incorporate web-based technologies into their classes.
Faculty Focus makes a case for small-group exams and quizzes, which may involve collaboration before, during, or after the test itself.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching and Learning: Feb. 14th Edition
Join the University Center for Writing-based Learning as they celebrate International Writing Centers Week (Feb. 14-18) with writing-themed events that will appeal to faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
Indiana University Bloomington and Samuel Thompson provide an interactive tutorial on the scholarship of teaching and learning, including historical information, faculty SoTL projects, and resources for further inquiry.
ProfHacker offers some helpful suggestions on establishing an online presence for professors who are increasingly incorporating social media, learning management systems, and digital portfolios into their teaching.
In an opinion piece from Inside Higher Ed, Diana Chapman Walsh surveys the field of learning scholarship and issues a call to action for a more scientific, evidence-based approach to the study of learning.
Indiana University Bloomington and Samuel Thompson provide an interactive tutorial on the scholarship of teaching and learning, including historical information, faculty SoTL projects, and resources for further inquiry.
ProfHacker offers some helpful suggestions on establishing an online presence for professors who are increasingly incorporating social media, learning management systems, and digital portfolios into their teaching.
In an opinion piece from Inside Higher Ed, Diana Chapman Walsh surveys the field of learning scholarship and issues a call to action for a more scientific, evidence-based approach to the study of learning.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Spotlight on Teaching and Learning: Feb. 7th Edition
Faculty Focus clarifies the ways in which FERPA may or may not impact instructors' use of social media in the classroom.
This month's Teaching Carnival points to dozens of insightful articles and blog posts on a range of teaching topics, including course evaluations and the first week of class.
Derek Bruff reflects on his grading standards and arrives at some difficult questions when thinking about what to do next.
The University of Venus blog explores how something as simple as teaching barefoot on a service learning trip abroad can impact one's perspective on authority and the classroom experience.
This month's Teaching Carnival points to dozens of insightful articles and blog posts on a range of teaching topics, including course evaluations and the first week of class.
Derek Bruff reflects on his grading standards and arrives at some difficult questions when thinking about what to do next.
The University of Venus blog explores how something as simple as teaching barefoot on a service learning trip abroad can impact one's perspective on authority and the classroom experience.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Over a Cup of Coffee: January 28th Edition
Daniel S. from Faculty Instructional Technology Services invites teachers to consider using low-tech games and simulations in their courses on the Instructional Design & Development Blog.
ProfHacker offers some thoughtful tips on dealing with student frustration and fostering a sense of trust in the classroom.
The University Center for Writing-based Learning blog recommends a little-known grammar resource that is extremely useful for both teachers and students.
Faculty Focus makes a case for developing problem-based learning skills through online class discussions.
ProfHacker offers some thoughtful tips on dealing with student frustration and fostering a sense of trust in the classroom.
The University Center for Writing-based Learning blog recommends a little-known grammar resource that is extremely useful for both teachers and students.
Faculty Focus makes a case for developing problem-based learning skills through online class discussions.
Monday, December 20, 2010
New Research in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
The Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is an outlet for professors to share their reflections and knowledge of teaching and learning. Two articles of general interest are:
The student-authored essay as a teaching tool by J. R. Slade Jr. In courses that emphasize writing and composition, is it more helpful for students to read model essays written by other students instead of examples from professional writers? In this article from the current issue of JoSoTL, Slade sets out to answer that question and to uncover just how effective student-authored models can be as learning tools.
Supporting student learning: improving performance on short-essay exams using realistic practice opportunities by W. H. Dotson, J. B. Sheldon, and J. A. Sherman. It comes as no surprise that it can be difficult for students to apply class material in new contexts during exams without having practiced first. In this article, the authors report on research findings that showed students who attended mock exam study sessions (like those offered by Supplemental Instruction) and completed practice questions did better on the actual exam later on.
The student-authored essay as a teaching tool by J. R. Slade Jr. In courses that emphasize writing and composition, is it more helpful for students to read model essays written by other students instead of examples from professional writers? In this article from the current issue of JoSoTL, Slade sets out to answer that question and to uncover just how effective student-authored models can be as learning tools.
Supporting student learning: improving performance on short-essay exams using realistic practice opportunities by W. H. Dotson, J. B. Sheldon, and J. A. Sherman. It comes as no surprise that it can be difficult for students to apply class material in new contexts during exams without having practiced first. In this article, the authors report on research findings that showed students who attended mock exam study sessions (like those offered by Supplemental Instruction) and completed practice questions did better on the actual exam later on.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Over a Cup of Coffee: December 14th Edition
Alex J. from DePaul's FITS department discusses the potential tension between new technology features and ease of use in the Instructional Design & Development blog.
ProfHacker tackles the issue of universal design in digital environments, which has some bearing for teachers using technology in the classroom.
The Teaching Professor weighs the relative merits of a more open-ended, freely evolving class discussion.
Faculty Focus provides tips on adding one key ingredient to online courses: a sense of the instructor's personality.
ProfHacker tackles the issue of universal design in digital environments, which has some bearing for teachers using technology in the classroom.
The Teaching Professor weighs the relative merits of a more open-ended, freely evolving class discussion.
Faculty Focus provides tips on adding one key ingredient to online courses: a sense of the instructor's personality.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Over a Cup of Coffee: November 24th Edition
ProfHacker discusses the potential benefits of cross-disciplinary grading strategies.
Faculty Focus shines a spotlight on one university's innovative "one-room schoolhouse" model for a research-based undergraduate course.
The Teaching Professor summarizes a study on social loafing, one of the greatest challenges to effective group work.
The Chronicle of Higher Education asks if teachers can successfully use an e-book for art history, and the answer may surprise you.
Faculty Focus shines a spotlight on one university's innovative "one-room schoolhouse" model for a research-based undergraduate course.
The Teaching Professor summarizes a study on social loafing, one of the greatest challenges to effective group work.
The Chronicle of Higher Education asks if teachers can successfully use an e-book for art history, and the answer may surprise you.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
OVER A CUP OF COFFEE: NOVEMBER 16TH EDITION
Faculty Focus discusses the potential advantages of peer-led team learning.
The Teaching Professor revisits a study that shows even a small amount of writing can promote learning.
ProfHacker comes to the rescue of faculty at the end of the quarter with some much-needed tips on taking a break.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on the highest-ever increase in online course enrollment.
The Teaching Professor revisits a study that shows even a small amount of writing can promote learning.
ProfHacker comes to the rescue of faculty at the end of the quarter with some much-needed tips on taking a break.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on the highest-ever increase in online course enrollment.
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