As instructors, many of us may prioritize the materials and skills that we want students to learn. But studies have shown that too much of a focus on the skills and knowledge that students have yet to develop may perpetuate bias and inequitable learning environments within the classroom (Williams & Toldson, 2020; Garriott, 2020). Specifically,… Read more »
Course Design
Quick Tip Title: Finding Scholarship from Black Authors for Black History Month
An important approach to diversifying representation in your courses is incorporating scholarship from Black authors. You may be asking yourself, “Where do I find these types of resources?” Luckily, the CITL is here to help! Below you will find popular journals of Black studies, primarily written by Black scholars. The Journal of Black Studies provides… Read more »
Essay Revision: Emphasizing Process Over Product
Convincing students of the value of crafting essays can be a daunting task at the best of times. With services such as ChatGPT that offer easy alternatives to the painstaking work of drafting and revision, many instructors are concerned that students may be more tempted than ever to forego the time commitment of writing and… Read more »
Unspoken Expectations and Student Success: Revealing the Hidden Curriculum
What is the hidden curriculum? The “hidden curriculum” or “invisible curriculum” refers to the unstated norms, policies, and expectations that students need to know to succeed in higher education but are often not taught explicitly. Your students might not know how to do things that seem quite rote and standard to someone more experienced, like… Read more »
Course Design for Graduate Students: You’ve Got This!
Midway through the 2022 spring semester, I walked into my classroom and was greeted by one of my students giving her classmates an impromptu presentation on educational best practices, punctuated with examples of work I’d been doing in her classroom. Despite the student’s praise and the fact that she was connecting claims and evidence (a… Read more »
Tips for Instructors of Large Multi-section Courses
A new instructor recently asked us for general tips and advice for teaching large multi-section courses. I reached out to our seasoned instructors and here’s what they passed on. First steps The main thing that comes to mind is to always keep the scale in mind. Otherwise it can become totally overwhelming! Take time to… Read more »