My social identities include a variety of educational “firsts”—first-generation immigrant from Vietnam, first-generation college graduate, and the first in my family to pursue a Ph.D.
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Integrating artificial intelligence in nursing education programs
Written by Kevin Forman and Rob Piercy Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) instructional designers and NIU faculty are collaborating and integrating AI tools
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Grading for growth: A blueprint for equity in the classroom
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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What you didn’t learn in class: Revealing the hidden curriculum
For faculty, staff, and graduate teaching assistants at NIU, understanding the hidden curriculum can make a real difference. It shapes how students connect with their
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Celebrating Dr. Linh Nguyen: Recipient of the 2025 Deacon Davis Diversity Award
We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Linh Nguyen, Inclusive Teaching Coordinator at NIU’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, as a recipient of the 2025
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Fostering a creative learning culture
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
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From error to insight: The role of mistakes in learning
What if failure wasn’t the opposite of success but a necessary step toward it? In education, we often talk about growth, but we don’t always
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AI in the classroom: Lessons learned from one institution’s AI affiliate program
I recently listened to an episode of Derek Bruff’s Intentional Teaching podcast about an AI teaching fellows program integrated into a writing course at Boston
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Thriving in college and beyond: A professor’s guide to student success
What does it take for students to not just survive—but thrive—in college? That question has long guided the work of Dr. Iman Salehinia, Associate Professor
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I’m teaching an accelerated online course: Now what?
Picture this: You just developed a 3-credit hour, 16-week online course. You incorporated learning activities, interactive collaborations, assessments, and a plethora of course content. Now,
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What if student evaluations measured what actually matters?
Student evaluations of teaching (SETs) are a staple in higher education, but what do they really tell us? Research shows that evaluations can be biased,
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Mind the gap: Tips and tools for supporting neurodiverse learners
Everyone’s brain works differently; so, what works for one may not work for another. The diversity in how brains function—known as neurodiversity—can affect the way
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