Explore the mini-modules below for flexible, self-paced support you can use right away, whether you’re new to teaching, refining an established course, or trying something different in the classroom. Each ungraded module focuses on a core area of effective teaching and guides you through creating a practical, ready-to-use artifact (like a course-planning tool, policy draft, or improvement plan) you can apply immediately. Anticipate approximately 3-4 hours per module.
Use the links below to access each module in the UMass Dartmouth instance of Canvas.
Foundations of Teaching in Higher Education
Build a practical foundation for effective college teaching: how learning works, what students need, and what strong instruction looks like in any discipline. Ideal for new faculty, TFs/TAs, and anyone who wants a confident reset on core teaching practices.
Build a practical foundation for effective college teaching: how learning works, what students need, and what strong instruction looks like in any discipline. Ideal for new faculty, TFs/TAs, and anyone who wants a confident reset on core teaching practices.
Online Teaching Readiness
Step into a pre-built or shared online course with clarity, strengthening instructor presence, communication, facilitation, and consistent grading practices. For faculty new to online teaching, transitioning to a department-owned course, or aiming to improve the student experience online.
Step into a pre-built or shared online course with clarity, strengthening instructor presence, communication, facilitation, and consistent grading practices. For faculty new to online teaching, transitioning to a department-owned course, or aiming to improve the student experience online.
Course Design & Backward Planning
Design (or revise) a course by starting with outcomes and building aligned assessments, learning activities, and a weekly flow. Best for faculty planning a new course, refreshing an existing one, or trying to make a course feel more coherent and teachable.
Design (or revise) a course by starting with outcomes and building aligned assessments, learning activities, and a weekly flow. Best for faculty planning a new course, refreshing an existing one, or trying to make a course feel more coherent and teachable.
Active Learning & Student-Centered Teaching
Turn passive class time into meaningful engagement with strategies you can use right away, whether you teach 20 students or 200. Great for faculty who want more participation, deeper learning, and practical ways to teach beyond lecture-only.
Turn passive class time into meaningful engagement with strategies you can use right away, whether you teach 20 students or 200. Great for faculty who want more participation, deeper learning, and practical ways to teach beyond lecture-only.
Assessment & Feedback Strategies
Create assessments that actually support learning and give feedback that is efficient, equitable, and usable for students. For any instructor who wants better grading workflows, clearer expectations, and stronger evidence of student learning.
Create assessments that actually support learning and give feedback that is efficient, equitable, and usable for students. For any instructor who wants better grading workflows, clearer expectations, and stronger evidence of student learning.
Syllabus Design & Course Policies
Strengthen your syllabus as a learning tool: clear policies, supportive tone, transparent expectations, and student-ready language. Designed for faculty updating a syllabus, building one from scratch, or aiming to reduce confusion and policy headaches later.
Strengthen your syllabus as a learning tool: clear policies, supportive tone, transparent expectations, and student-ready language. Designed for faculty updating a syllabus, building one from scratch, or aiming to reduce confusion and policy headaches later.
Reflective Practice & Continuous Improvement
Build a sustainable habit of reflection using feedback, evidence, and small cycles of change to improve your teaching over time. Especially useful for instructors who want a simple system for professional growth (and documentation) without adding busywork.
Build a sustainable habit of reflection using feedback, evidence, and small cycles of change to improve your teaching over time. Especially useful for instructors who want a simple system for professional growth (and documentation) without adding busywork.
Creating Engaging and Inclusive Learning Environments
Coming soon.
Coming soon.
Classroom Management and Student Support
Coming soon.
Coming soon.
Teaching with Technology
Coming soon.
Coming soon.