Teaching - Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

An American Indian college student wearing a wrist brace types on a laptop in a classroom while other students around him write by hand in notebooks.

From analog to AI and back again: Finding an accessible middle ground

March 6, 2026 Lindsay Vreeland Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends

Recent articles from NPR and Edutopia introduced us to Chanea Bond, a high school teacher who has nearly eliminated the use of computers in her

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Supporting first-generation students: Teaching practices that make a difference

March 2, 2026 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching

Authors: Linh Nguyen and Yvonne Johnson According to the Fall 2025 enrollment highlight, more than half of NIU’s incoming first-year students identify as first-generation college

Alt text: A surprised-looking man wearing glasses holds two thick books in one arm and lifts his glasses with the other, standing in front of a chalkboard filled with math equations in a classroom.

LOL for learning: Why memes deserve a place in higher education

February 23, 2026 Michael Strunk Teaching, Technology Trends

What if there were a way to inject a little humor, a little relatability, and a whole lot of engagement into your courses? Enter the

Prof. Stephanie Baker leans on front of table at the front of classroom with students sitting at desks.

Beyond the loudest few: How to get quieter students to participate in your class

February 16, 2026 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Teaching, Tips

I recall walking into a lecture hall and disappearing into the crowd in many of my undergraduate courses. Like any hopeful and determined first-generation student,

E. Taylor Atkins, in a red shirt, stands at the front of a classroom, gesturing and pointing toward a large projected slide behind him that shows historical photographs and illustrations, as he explains the images to students in a classroom.

Teaching academic success skills for all students: An equity-centered approach

February 9, 2026 Lindsay Vreeland Best Practices, Teaching, Tips

Regardless of the courses we teach, we often expect students to show up already knowing how to learn on their own. Skills like note-taking, reading

Outstretched hand holds a glowing hologram of a human head with an “AI” chip and graduation cap, surrounded by icons for learning, innovation, analytics, and achievement against a dark background.

Alarmed but hopeful? What AAC&U’s new GenAI report tells us

February 3, 2026 Amanda Hirsch Best Practices, News, Teaching, Technology Trends

AAC&U’s new survey, The AI Challenge: Faculty Concerns About Generative AI in Higher Education, doesn’t just measure opinions about generative AI; it captures a moment

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Save the Date! Ask the expert: Book chat with Jessamyn Neuhaus, author of Snafu Edu

January 28, 2026 Yvonne Johnson Best Practices, News, Newsletter, Teaching, Tips

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST Online event—registration required! The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning is delighted to continue the conversations begun during our Spring 2026

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Save the Date! Spring 2026 Presidential Teaching Seminar Featuring Dr. Mylan Engel

January 21, 2026 Yvonne Johnson Best Practices, News, Newsletter, Teaching

Thursday, March 5, 2026 Informal conversations: 11:30 a.m. Seminar: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST Location: Holmes Student Center, Sky Room No registration is required —

A female engineer wearing a bright orange safety jacket sits at a workstation with multiple large monitors displaying technical data, charts, and a 3D model of a vehicle chassis. The engineer is using a keyboard and mouse, with a two-way radio placed on the desk. The background shows an industrial setting with machinery and equipment.

The hidden cost of catching up in STEM

January 20, 2026 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

In STEM, success is often measured by outcomes: grades, persistence, and graduation rates. When students who start with gaps in preparation ultimately perform as well

A woman wearing a yellow short-sleeve top is seated at a wooden table, writing in a notebook with a pen. Earphones are connected to a laptop placed on the table.

Encouraging students to write: Strategies for building confidence and engagement

January 15, 2026 Lindsay Vreeland Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

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

Student guide to artificial intelligence

January 7, 2026 CITL Resources, Teaching

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