Open Classroom Weeks
September 28 - October 9, 2026
What Is Open Classroom Weeks?
Imagine strolling into a colleague's class — not as an evaluator, but as a learner. Open Classroom Weeks is your chance to do just that. It's a campus-wide invitation to:
- Observe innovative teaching practices across disciplines
- Explore fresh strategies for engagement, assessment, or learning environment
- Spark ideas you can adapt for your own courses
- Build relationships and cross-disciplinary insight
Think of it as "teaching by osmosis" — seeing what works, asking questions, and bringing back new energy to your own classroom. You'll leave with:
- Real examples of how others design activities, structure discussions, integrate tech
- Insights into how to shift student participation, assessment formats, or classroom layout
- A sense of what "good teaching in action" looks like at NIU
And at the end — the networking session gives us space to reflect, share impressions, and deepen connections.
How It Works
- Register for Sessions
Choose sessions you’re curious about. (Registration closes ~24 hours before each session.) - Go Observe (in person or virtually)
Bring curiosity, not critique. Sit in, take notes on what stands out. - Reflect and Connect
Join the networking session on October 13 from 2 - 3 PM (via Microsoft Teams) to share what you saw, ask questions, and plan next steps.
Schedule and Registration
Sign up early to reserve a spot in the classrooms you most want to visit! Confirmed session locations and links (for virtual sessions) will be distributed after registration.
Daryl Dugas
Associate Professor
Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology
Tuesday, September 29, 12:30 - 1:45 PM
Thursday, October 1, 12:30 - 1:45 PM
Aaron Fogleman
Board of Trustees and Distinguished Research Professor
History
Monday, September 28, 9:30 - 10:45 AM
William (Bill) Martin
Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences
Monday, September 28, 8 - 8:50 AM
Amber Ruland
Instructor
Special and Early Education
Monday, September 28, 5-6:40 PM Synchronous
Monday, September 28, 7-8:40 PM Synchronous
Sessions in Chronological Order
Monday, September 28 - Friday, October 9
Monday, September 28
- 8 - 8:30 AM, Bill Martin
- 9:30 - 10:45 AM, Aaron Fogleman
- 5 - 6:40 PM, Amber Ruland (Synchronous Online)
- 7 - 8:40 PM, Amber Ruland (Synchronous Online)
Tuesday, September 29
Wednesday, September 30
Thursday, October 1
Monday, October 5
Tuesday, October 6
Wednesday, October 7
Thursday, October 8
Who Can Participate?
Participation is open to faculty of all classifications and ranks (tenure-track, instructional, clinical), graduate teaching assistants, as well as SPS and civil service staff.