Good teaching requires equal parts preparation and responsiveness. The strategies below will help you design your course more effectively, communicate your expectations more clearly, and lay the groundwork for a healthy learning environment.
Align your course (UW core element)
One of UW’s core elements of effective teaching (Faculty Code 24-320), alignment, refers to the process of connecting a course’s learning objectives, assignments, assessments, and activities.
Learn more about aligning your course.
Creating your syllabus
The syllabus provides the instructor and students with a common reference point that sets the stage for learning throughout the course. Explore strategies for creating a clear, effective syllabus and guidance for getting students to read it.
Learn more about creating your syllabus.
Flipped, hybrid, and online classes
When designed effectively, digital environments can advance learning and help expand course access and student engagement.
Learn more about flipped, hybrid, and online classes.
Large enrollment courses
Effective course design can foster engagement, interaction, and active learning, even in classes with 100+ students.
Learn more about teaching large enrollment courses.
Developing community agreements
Community agreements can help foster inclusive, productive learning environments by guiding how members of a classroom community aspire to work and interact.
Learn more about developing community agreements.
Creating a culture of academic integrity
While no strategy is guaranteed to eliminate cheating completely, course design can help discourage cheating and promote academic integrity.
Learn more about creating a culture of academic integrity.
AI+Teaching
Struggling with how to think about teaching and AI? Explore strategies for talking with students, developing AI course policies, and centering learning when using AI.
Learn more about AI+Teaching.
Assessment, rubrics, and grading
From constructing tests to critiquing student projects, this page offers strategies for effective, equitable, and efficient assessment and grading.
Learn more about assessment, rubrics, and grading
Teaching during campus disruptions
This page offers proactive steps to prepare for how to teach when normal operations are disrupted on campus, including developing communication plans, designing courses with flexibility in mind, and using technology effectively.
Learn more about preparing your course for campus disruptions.