Tool Kit – CETL

Ideas for Active Learning Assignments

Posted on July 11, 2024 (July 15, 2024) by Erin Bell

Engaged learning ideas are plentiful, but from time to time, instructors may seek inspiration for their classroom practices. Below, we offer a list of active learning assignments and activities that may be used in class Integrating these activities and assignments into the curriculum can enhance student engagement, deepen understanding, and promote critical thinking and collaboration. […]

Transparent Teaching Methods

Posted on July 11, 2024 (April 15, 2025) by Mike Verdusco

Transparent teaching methods enhance student comprehension and academic achievement by explicitly communicating the objectives, tasks, and assignment criteria. This clarity reduces confusion and apprehension, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation and non-traditional students, particularly benefit from these methods as they level the playing field by making expectations clear. […]

What Are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)?

Posted on May 23, 2024 (April 11, 2025) by Erin Bell

Understanding WCAG and Building Course Content The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to all learners and users. The mission of W3C is to ensure that the web is for all humanity and that all web content is designed for […]

Using Multimedia in Course Content and Feedback

Posted on April 5, 2024 (April 15, 2025) by Mike Verdusco

The incorporation of multimedia content and feedback into instructional practices has proven to be an effective strategy. By catering to the diverse learning preferences of students, multimedia engagement fosters active participation and enhances the comprehension and retention of course material. Instructors can achieve this by utilizing multimedia materials such as videos, audio recordings, and visual […]

Accessibility and Design Resources

Posted on March 11, 2024 (April 11, 2025) by Erin Bell

Instructors must ensure course materials (including course documents such as PDF and MS Word documents) are accessible to all learners. To check materials for accessibility, instructors can utilize resources and tools including those posted below. […]

Prompt Construction for Generative AI: Getting Started

Posted on February 5, 2024 (February 7, 2024) by Erin Bell

An effective way to understand how to utilize technology such as Chat-GPT or Google Bard is to engage in experiential, hands-on exploration of the tools. The CETL has provided some guidelines to help instructors explore and effectively utilize generative AI. One of the critical components of using generative AI is effectively writing prompts. To begin […]

Course Content and Curriculum: Encouraging Belonging

Posted on October 6, 2023 (April 16, 2025) by Erin Bell

Creating a Welcoming Learning Environment Fostering a sense of belonging in the classroom—whether online or in person—begins with intentional choices in syllabus design and early course interactions. Instructors play a key role in shaping the tone of the course by offering a classroom environment that is open, respectful, and welcoming to all students. Behaviors such […]

Utilizing the Syllabus to Reinforce Belonging

Posted on September 22, 2023 (April 16, 2025) by Erin Bell

First impressions matter. The syllabus is often a student’s first introduction to the instructor and their course. For many students, this initial impression can shape their expectations and comfort level. Some may feel uncertain or anxious about what lies ahead. Instructors can help ease these concerns by using language that demonstrates respect, support, and encouragement. […]

Creating a Sense of Student Belonging: A Quick-Start Guide

Posted on September 19, 2023 (April 16, 2025) by Erin Bell

Part of creating a sense of student belonging is recognizing that all of us come from different backgrounds, filled with cultural mores, commonalities, expectations, and more. Instructors can establish norms for classroom behavior while honoring the individuality of each participant and their backgrounds. Listed below are some quick-start steps to set the stage for a […]

Tool Kit – Student Belonging

A strong sense of belonging is essential to student success, academic engagement, and persistence through graduation (Allen et al., 2018; Quin, 2017). Although student engagement and community development are often attributed to student life, clubs, athletics, or marketing, the faculty’s role is equally, if not more, significant in fostering these aspects. Instructors typically serve as […]