Whether it’s a skill assessment, a midterm essay, or an end-of-semester reflection, students benefit from regular opportunities to write. These activities help them deepen their
Read more
Student guide to artificial intelligence
As we gear up for the spring semester, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) is excited to highlight a timely new resource designed
Read more
Blackboard’s new look for 2026!
On January 8, 2026, a few areas of Blackboard will receive a visual refresh. These changes will be part of the Blackboard January update and
Read more
Demystify the hidden curriculum of letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation are often the silent gatekeepers of opportunity. They can open doors to jobs, internships, scholarships, graduate programs, and professional schools. Yet, for
Read more
Building strong collaborative learners
It’s natural for students to feel hesitant about working in groups—juggling communication, responsibilities, and schedules isn’t easy. Yet collaboration is a powerful skill that supports
Read more
The superpower of faculty and instructional designers working together
Someone said you’re an SME, but what does that even mean? In the instructional design field, our faculty are highly regarded subject matter experts (SME).
Read more
Holding space for compassion: Trauma-informed teaching in an era of immigration crackdowns
As educators, we often talk about creating an effective learning environment in our classrooms—but what does that look like when students are living through trauma
Read more
Office of Online Learning launches “Wellness Wednesday”
At NIU, we know that student success extends far beyond the classroom, and for our online Huskies, connection and well-being are central to thriving in
Read more
How you can make quick PDF fixes in Anthology Ally right now
Adapted from an article originally published to the Anthology Community Blog by Mindy Mekhail, Director, Product Marketing, Anthology PDFs are among the most frequently used file types
Read more
Writing like you teach: Making course materials clearer and more human
In “4 Ways to Adjust Your Prose Style for a Public Audience,” James Lang reminds us that writing for non-experts—whether in essays, books, or blog
Read more
Bringing critical thinking to life in your classroom: Lessons from Linda Elder
Here’s something that keeps me up at night: we’re living in an age where misinformation spreads faster than wildfire, and our students are caught right
Read more
Forward focus book club first read: The Great Upheaval
Higher education stands at a crossroads. Just as previous generations navigated the shift from agricultural to industrial society, we face transformative challenges of our own.
Read more