Author: Erin Bell

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. […]

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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 […]

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: 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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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