Despite a return to in-person classes post-pandemic, over half of college students took at least one online course in 2022. Online classes appeal to students for a range of reasons; notably, online courses offer flexibility for both students who have family and/or job obligations that prevent them from attending class, as well as for students… Read more »
Welcoming Students to Class
As you wrap up your Fall classes and turn your attention towards next semester’s courses, consider ways you can welcome your next group of students to your course and increase their sense of belonging. Despite promising improvements, depression and anxiety are still prominent among college students. While there are many reasons for this, one contributing… Read more »
GenAI in the Classroom Canvas Modules
Are you looking for ways to teach your students how to use generative AI (GenAI) ethically while ensuring they hone their critical thinking skills? Check out this self-paced, asynchronous GenAI in the Classroom course (now with a new module on Designing Assignments & Assessments). This course is designed for instructors looking for an introduction to… Read more »
Meet our new Distance Learning Specialist, Maggie Gilchrist
I am delighted to welcome Maggie Gilchrist back to the CITL. You might have worked with her when she was our Graduate Assistant Instructional Consultant in 2022-2023. In October 2023, Maggie joined our colleagues at the IU Indianapolis CTL working full-time as an Instructional Technology Consultant. I asked Maggie about her work there and what… Read more »
Activities for the First Day of Class
Our previous blog post talked about ways to ensure your students feel welcomed and included in your course from day one. However, welcoming students to class and establishing course goals are only the first steps. As James M. Lang has argued, “On that first day…your students are forming a lasting impression not just of you… Read more »
Planning your first day of the semester
Our previous posts in this series focused on creating and introducing inclusive syllabi. While the syllabus is often “the first point of contact with instructors,” your students’ first impression of you and the course is solidified on the first day of class. Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom (Hogan & Sathy,… Read more »