Glossary

Active learning is an umbrella term for any instructional method that encourages student engagement in the learning process, typically via thinking, discussing, investigating, creating and through other methods and activities. The approach suggests that students actively engage in the meaning-making process rather than passively taking in information ...

In online settings, asynchronous instruction allows students to engage with course content and assignments on their own schedule from week to week, unlike the synchronous mode, in which students and instructors meet on a set schedule. In asynchronous classes, students may access class materials during different hours and from different locations rather than in one fixed setting such as a ...

In this mode of assessment, instructors provided creative learning experiences and scenarios to measure students’ skills and knowledge in realistic situations; instructors may gauge students’ knowledge in real-life (professional) and hands-on scenarios (rather than through a written examination). Photo courtesy of Martin Splitt on Unsplash ...

This process allows instructors to reverse engineer assignments/course curriculum by considering the learning outcomes for an assignment (or course) first and then planning accordingly around those objectives. In short, one builds a course by focusing on the skills and outcomes students will learn first and then creating formative assessments and assignments that will help student meet those objectives. Photo courtesy ...

A classification system used to distinguish different levels (domains) of learning. These domains include: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, and Creating. Understanding how students process and internalize knowledge and concepts can allow for more efficient course design ...

A strategy that allows learners to use their short-term memory more effectively by breaking up larger portions of information into more manageable "chunks." Some chunking strategies rely on the use of mnemonics to help students memorize longer strands of information, i.e. the use of HOMES to recall the names of the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Eerie, Superior). Photo courtesy ...

An educational theory developed by Jean Piaget based upon the belief that learner's construct knowledge through experiences and socialization. Photo courtesy of Pexels ...

CUREs are educational programs integrated into the curriculum that engage undergraduate students in authentic research activities as part of their coursework. In contrast to traditional undergraduate research, which typically involves individual students working with faculty mentors outside of regular class time, CUREs incorporate research projects into standard course structures, making research accessible to a broader range of students. These authentic ...

Diagnostic assessments are typically low (or no) stakes assignments that grant an instructor an opportunity to gauge students’ current levels of knowledge about subject matter in a course. Such assessments might include pre-tests, short essays, quizzes, journal entries, and more. Photo courtesy of Kat Stokes on Unsplash ...

Instructors use strategies with the needs of all (diverse) learners in mind. Assignments and assessments are inclusive and tailored to consider all learners' needs. Photo courtesy of Ivan Bertolazzi from Pexels ...

An educational approach where students gain knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside a traditional academic setting. It emphasizes active engagement and reflection, allowing learners to apply what they have learned in practical, real-world contexts. This method fosters deeper understanding and retention of knowledge by involving students in hands-on activities and encouraging them to draw connections between theory and ...

A term first coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, someone with a “fixed mindset” believes that their intelligence and abilities are fixed and cannot change (i.e. “I’m just bad at math. I’ll never get any better at it.”) Students with a fixed mindset may believe that talent alone creates success — without effort. A fixed mindset can impede a student’s success in ...

In a “flipped” classroom, students complete lower level of cognitive work before class, so that when they come to class they can engage in higher cognitive levels of learning with peers and the teacher present. An instructor can have students engage with materials and content prior to class (such as by listening to a pre-recorded lecture or reading through instructions ...

Formative assessments are typically low stakes assignments that grant instructors opportunities to gauge students’ knowledge about a topic while they are still in the process of learning about it and/or mastering key concepts. These assessments may include polls, entrance and exit tickets, rough drafts, self-assessments and more. Photo courtesy of Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash ...

Gamification is when gaming mechanics are added into non-gaming environments (such as in an L.M.S. or an academic conference hub) to increase user participation. The use of games in the classroom may incentivize students to learn on their own and with more efficiency. Photo courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash ...

High-Impact Practices (HIPs) in education are teaching and learning approaches that evidence has shown to significantly benefit student engagement, learning, and retention. These practices are characterized by their ability to foster deep learning through active involvement, collaboration, and real-world application. HIPs are often transformative, providing students with enriching experiences that go beyond traditional classroom instruction. Examples of Detroit Mercy student ...

HyFlex: The defining characteristic of “flexible hybrid” courses (often shortened to “HyFlex”) is that these courses include a face-to-face component but physical attendance is not required. Students enrolled in HyFlex courses have the option to attend face-to-face sessions, or they can choose to participate in instructional activities online. A HyFlex course may take many forms; below are the most common ...

Inclusive teaching strategies refer to pedagogical practices that address the needs of all students from all backgrounds (including those who are differently abled), across all learning modalities, so that all students have equal opportunities to experience a successful learning. These strategies contribute to an overall inclusive learning environment in which students feel equally valued. Inclusive strategies are employed when designing course content, ...

This teaching philosophy helps students develop their critical thinking skills by leveraging their curiosity and employing the scientific method. Rather than instructing students about exactly how to approach a task or problem, students are empowered to explore concepts through generating and asking their own questions leading to creating their own solutions. It is an approach to learning that encourages students ...

A software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement and assess a specific learning process providing instructors with a means to create, organize, and deliver content and assessments. Blackboard is the L.M.S. that is used at the University of Detroit Mercy. Photo courtesy of Agefis on Unsplash ...

The manner in which information enters into a human's long-term memory and becomes crystallized. Photo courtesy of David Cassolato from Pexels ...

Meta-cognition is a reflective process which allows students and instructors a means to build an awareness of one’s thought processes. Meta-cognition can help students create an effective plan to begin and complete learning tasks as well as how to solve problems and assess the effectiveness of their current strategies for learning studying. Thinking about their own thinking patterns and process ...

Project-based learning allows students to actively engage in real-world projects. Such an approach allows students to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex problem or challenges with sustained attention. This is a learner-centered approach which fosters critical thinking skills. Photo courtesy of Pexels ...

This refers to assignments and learning units within a course that are structured to build upon each other, leading to student comprehension and learning outcomes and objectives. A complex assignment may be broken up into smaller tasks that serve as opportunities for formative assessment. Photos courtesy of Pexels ...

A method of teaching that engages students in direct service as an essential part of the course to help meets its learning objectives. Picture courtesy of Pexels ...

A broad term that suggests students’ interest, curiosity, and passion for the activities in a course. Engagement can foster positive feeling about a course that helps students remain active both inside and outside of the course. Photo courtesy of Pexels ...

This type of assessment is used to measure students’ knowledge after a subject has been taught. Summative assessments are often examinations, final projects, final essays and other high stakes projects to show how well students have mastered key learning outcomes and objectives.  Photo is courtesy of Pexels ...

When used within the pedagogical discussions, the term transfer refers to students’ ability to take skills, knowledge, and content from one educational context (such as within a course or assignment) and apply those skills to a different setting, i.e., in another course or in a professional setting. Photo courtesy of Pexels ...

Universal Design of Instruction is a framework focused on making learning available to all students regardless of needs or learning differences. Categories that need to be addressed within the framework included the visual design of the course, the use of media and media files within the course, the inclusion of accessible information about student support services, and the use of ...