equity - Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

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Grading for growth: A blueprint for equity in the classroom

June 23, 2025 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

Traditional grading practices have faced criticism for perpetuating inequity and hindering learning. Enter Joe Feldman’s Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and

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Fostering a creative learning culture

April 24, 2025 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

A truly creative learning environment welcomes and amplifies all voices, providing space for students from various backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives to contribute meaningfully. While some

Black man and woman scientists holding sample in laboratory

Embracing cultural wealth as a path to Black student success in STEM

January 24, 2025 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

The persistent underrepresentation of Black students in STEM fields has long been viewed through a deficit lens, focusing on barriers and challenges rather than strengths

Banner with many raised hands of multicultural people from different nations and continents with speech bubbles with text -thank you- in various international languages

Teaching multilingual learners: Breaking down barriers to success

January 8, 2025 Linh Nguyen Teaching, Tips

CITL recently offered a workshop that explored comprehensive strategies for faculty and staff to better understand and support multilingual students by focusing on creating inclusive

Robot caught in a flashlight. Artifical intelligence plagiarism, cheating and ai detection concept.

AI detectors: An ethical minefield

December 12, 2024 Amanda Hirsch Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Technology Trends, Tips, Web Tools

Generative AI use has been on the rise among faculty and students. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Adobe Firefly, and Claude, among others, have transformed how

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Culturally Responsive Teaching

August 6, 2024 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, Resources, Teaching, Tips

During the early development of higher education in the United States, women were largely excluded from attending colleges and universities. Additionally, African American people were

Black woman looking away thoughtfully with her chin in her hand and elbow resting on desk by an open book.

Gauging student learning and course equity through reflections

November 27, 2023 Lindsay Vreeland Best Practices, News, Teaching, Tips

Studies show that reflection helps learners engage in critical thinking, develop metacognitive skills, and deepen understanding of coursework. Reflections also provide a way for instructors

Educause 2023 students and technology report

September 11, 2023 Linh Nguyen Best Practices, News, Resources, Teaching, Tips

What does it mean to be a college student in 2023 when the global pandemic effects are lingering, the cost of higher education is increasing

Mission Husky wearing rainbow bandana in front of GSRC building with pride flags draped behind him

Supporting LGBTQ+ students

August 31, 2023 Lindsay Vreeland Best Practices, News, Newsletter, Resources, Teaching, Tips

In 2022, NIU was ranked the most LGBTQ+-friendly college in Illinois by BestColleges and was included in Campus Pride’s “Best of the Best” list for LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities

Black female student smiling and raising fist in celebration as black female professor hands back her graded assignment

Developing fair, consistent, and transparent grading practices

October 26, 2021 Amanda Hirsch Best Practices, Teaching, Tips, Workshops

An educator’s grading policies reflect their beliefs about student learning, motivation, and success. Grading policies often vary across campus, within individual departments, and even between