Teaching and Learning Guides

Traditional testing methods, such as multiple-choice exams, may not always be the best tool, but there are alternative assessments you can use to help students demonstrate mastery of course content.

This guide includes a recorded webinar, articles, links, and resources designed to help you:

• Describe alternative assessments to traditional testing;
• Write effective questions for online assessments;
• Modify student presentations for the online learning environment;
• Create online discussion activities and other assignments;
• Recognize best practices for online assignments;
• Use student feedback for continuous improvement of your online course.

Learn more about Alternatives to Traditional Testing.

Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3) software is an autoregressive language model that produces human-like text. With the rise of GPT-3 software, instructors may be concerned with students’ use of programs and services to buy assignment submissions and responses.

This guide includes best practices and tips designed to help you:

• Write assignment prompts and policies that don't allow the use of AI software
• Use varied methods to work with AI tools in your classroom
• Adapt teaching strategies to changing technology
• Request support from your Instructional Design Partner and the Technology Service Desk.

Learn more about Creating Assignments that Outsmart AI GPT-3 Software

A well-designed course can help you communicate your course content and help students demonstrate mastery of learning objectives.

This guide includes articles, step-by-step roadmaps, links, and resources designed to help you:

• Design a course using the backward design process;
• Write a course mission statement;
• Write (or review) measurable learning objectives;
• Create instructional materials and learning activities;
• Assess student success in meeting learning objectives;
• Reflect on and improve your instruction.

Learn more about Designing Effective Courses.

With proper planning and course design best practices, you can effectively move your face-to-face or hybrid courses online into Canvas.

This guide includes articles, step-by-step roadmaps, links, and resources designed to help you:

• Determine your first steps based on your course type;
• Follow the first steps to move your course online;
• Request a Canvas Sandbox (if applicable);
• Find Canvas guides with screenshots and step-by-step instructions;
• Move content into your Canvas course.

Learn more about Moving Your Face-to-Face Course Online.

Fostering a culture of academic integrity in your courses can help reduce incidents of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty.

This guide includes best practices, tips, links, and resources designed to help you:

• Build community with and between your students;
• Communicate with your students about academic integrity;
• Rethink your assessments and how they fit into a culture of academic integrity.

Learn more about Fostering Academic Integrity in Your Courses.

Small group work can foster a sense of community and belonging among students and spark meaningful discussions.

This guide includes best practices and tips designed to help you:

• Identify effective methods to organize group activities in online courses;
• Examine various online tools for using group work in online courses;
• Implement group work using effective tools.

Learn more about Incorporating Small Group Work in Online Courses.

This guide includes best practices and tips designed to help you:

• Introduce students to the benefits of and strategies associated with metacognition;

• Aid students in becoming self-directed learners;

• Select and apply appropriate metacognitive strategies to your courses;

• Leverage Canvas tools to integrate metacognitive strategies;

• Request support from your Instructional Design Partner and the Technology Service Desk.

Learn more about Integrating Metacognitive Strategies into Your Courses.

This guide includes best practices and tips designed to help you:

• Incorporate inclusive communication practices into any course;

• Develop and demonstrate intercultural awareness;

• Foster intentional presence and mindfulness;

• Practice effective and clear communication with your students;

• Leverage Canvas features and tools to help you practice inclusive communication;

• Request support from your Instructional Design Partner and the Technology Service Desk.

Learn more about Practicing Inclusive Communication in Your Courses.

Effective feedback is essential to the learning process. Providing students with meaningful feedback can greatly improve their performance, achievement, and development.

This guide includes best practices and tips designed to help you:

• Write valuable grading comments on student assignments;
• Use varied methods to give general feedback to the whole class;
• Facilitate effective online discussions.

Learn more about Providing Effective Student Feedback.

HyFlex ("hybrid flexible") is a course delivery model in which an instructor teaches an in-person and a synchronous online class session at the same time. This guide will introduce you to HyFlex, help you prepare to teach a HyFlex course, and connect you with resources to support you throughout the semester.

Learn more about Teaching HyFlex Courses at TWU.

This guide includes best practices and tips designed to help you:

• Explore the research on active learning and its effects on student engagement, motivation, and participation;

• Choose active learning activities to include in your Canvas courses;

• Select appropriate active learning teaching strategies;

• Develop your own Active Learning Strategies Plan using the provided template;

• Request support from your Instructional Design Partner and the Technology Service Desk

Learn more about Using Active Learning to Engage Students.

As an instructor, you have the primary and ultimate responsibility to ensure access to your course materials by every student in every course you teach. The information in this guide will help you make intentional design and development decisions.

This guide includes articles, step-by-step roadmaps, links, and resources designed to help you:

• Apply Universal Design for Learning principles to your course materials;
• Create new course materials that meet accessibility guidelines;
• Revise existing course materials to become accessible to all students.

Learn more about the Universal Design Toolkit.

Quality Assurance reviews at TWU can help instructors improve the quality of their courses with continuous improvement.

This guide includes information and resources about the types of Quality Assurance reviews offered at Texas Woman's University:

• Online Course Design Best Practices Checklist
• Quality Matters Reviews
• Internal Academic Component Review

Learn more about Quality Assurance at TWU.