Teaching - Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

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

Save the Date. Concept with announcement message with megaphone.

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

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“Fold in the cheese” teaching: Why students need more than vague advice

January 5, 2026 Amanda Hirsch Best Practices, Teaching, Tips

“What does that mean, fold in the cheese?” If you’ve ever seen Schitt’s Creek, you know the scene: David and his mother Moira are trying

A flat, pastel-colored illustration showing a computer monitor with a simplified Blackboard interface on the screen. A woman with long dark hair stands in front of the monitor, pointing toward the layout blocks. Above the scene, large text reads “New changes to Blackboard layout and navigation,” with a white arrow pointing to the right. Stylized leaf shapes frame the background, creating a clean, modern look.

Blackboard’s new look for 2026!

December 10, 2025 Kevin Harris News, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Web Tools

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

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Demystify the hidden curriculum of letters of recommendation

December 1, 2025 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

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

Diverse group of students including young man in wheelchair chatting in college library

Building strong collaborative learners

December 1, 2025 Lindsay Vreeland Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

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