Each two-page How To sheet includes an introduction to a teaching and learning topic, best practices and ideas, supporting research, and references.   Included below are also one page guides to a variety of teaching topics.

Rubrics: This guide defines the term ‘rubric’ and gives you some starting points for constructing a grading rubric for a class assignment.

Rapport With Students:  Building and maintaining rapport with students are vital componenets of achieving excellence in teaching and learning.  The practical advice in this paper is presented in a manner adaptable to any classroom setting.

Threshold concepts: When students have difficulty with a concept in a course, how do you get them past the “threshold”?  This paper explains the term, threshold concepts, and how you might identify and address a concept in your discipline to the benefit of your students.

Service Learning:   What is Service Learning and how can I incorporate it into my course?  These are just a few of the questions answered in the latest “How To”  paper.

The First Day of Class:  You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and the first day of class is no exception.  This How To page contains tips for Rapport Building, Motivating and  Engaging students as well as setting the stage for the semester’s goals.

Reflective Writing:   This handout addresses different types of reflection writing, such as free-writing responses and journal writing.

Guided Discussion in the Classroom This handout addresses some best practices for leading an entire class through a discussion, so that students contribute more, and talk at a higher level of critical thinking.

How to Use Peer Learning (Group Work): This sheet describes different types of peer learning situations, including instructions for how to create and manage group work.

Peer Teaching: This handout deals with peer teaching, including 5 key models, recommendations, and links to leading peer teaching resources.

How to Use PowerPoint for Better Learning: PowerPoint is a useful tool but can be better used when we understand basic design principles and understanding the power of visuals.  Consult this handout but also visit our visual learning page for an extensive collection of online tools and help.

How to Use Artifacts in your Course (using museums): At UT, we have many places that we can take or send students for a “field experience”–including collections on campus at the McClung Museum and the Baker Center.  Use this guide to help you think through and structure a hands-on lesson in primary source materials.

Fishbowl Technique: This guide explains how to facilitate a small discussion in a large group.  Essentially, the class forms an inner and an outer circle–details are on this sheet.

Addressing Cheating and Plagiarism in the Classroom: This guide deals with issues of academic dishonesty, and provides many resources to help faculty who encounter this issue.

Problem Based Learning (PBL): This handout will help faculty successfully create a PBL learning environment, which engages students and gets them thinking about real-life problems.

TEAL and Scale-Up Classrooms: This handout will familiarize UT faculty with technology enhanced and student-centered learning environments.