Build your teaching skills across these five core teaching competencies:

• 1

  Designing an Effective Course and Class

  • Establishing Powerful Learning Outcomes
  • Aligning Assessments With Course Outcomes
  • Aligning Activities and Assignments With Course Outcomes
  • Preparing an Effective Syllabus
  • Planning an Effective Class Session
• 2

  Establishing an Inclusive Learning Environment

  • Leading the First Day of Class
  • Promoting a Civil Learning Environment
  • Connecting With Your Students
  • Motivating Your Students
  • Engaging Underprepared Students
  • Helping Students Persist in Their Studies
  • Embracing Diversity in Your Classroom
• 3

  Using Active Learning Techniques

  • Using Active Learning Techniques in Small Groups
  • Using Active Learning Techniques in Large Classes
  • Delivering an Effective Lecture
  • Planning Effective Class Discussions
  • Facilitating Engaging Class Discussions
  • Integrating Civic Learning Into Your Course
• 4

  Promoting Higher Order Thinking

  • Providing Clear Directions and Explanations
  • Using Concept Maps and Other Visualization Tools
  • Teaching Powerful Note-Taking Skills
  • Using Advanced Questioning Techniques
  • Developing Self-Directed Learners
• 5

  Assessing to Inform Instruction and Promote Learning

  • Developing Fair, Consistent, and Transparent Grading Practices
  • Developing and Using Rubrics and Checklists
  • Providing Useful Feedback
  • Checking for Student Understanding
  • Using Student Achievement and Feedback to Improve Your Teaching

• 25 modules build to full certificate
• high-quality user experience
• video-rich - over 180 demonstration lessons
• collaborative - faculty engage in cohorts
• facilitated by a teaching expert
• implementation is required
• assignments and reflections are required
• evaluated by ACUE national readers

• 1-2 cohorts per year, beginning in fall or spring, limited to 30 faculty participants each
• 25 online modules, one completed per week (2-3 hours online content and engagement per week)
• faculty apply new strategies in their teaching, then share reflections on the implementation and receive feedback from
• co-facilitated by faculty and teaching experts
• periodic in-person meetings with cohort and facilitators

• earn nationally-recognized Certificate in Effective College Instruction, endorsed by American Council on Education (ACE)
• become an NIU ACUE Teaching Fellow
• be recognized by the Provost's Office in a ceremony at the end of the program
• have opportunity to share your teaching expertise with your peers

"One of the most important aspects of the course is that faculty have agreed to use the techniques they are learning in their current classes. This is an active course that covers all aspects of a pedagogically-sound course, from design to implementation to assessment. Faculty learn and develop a technique and then they put it into practice immediately.” - Provost Beth Ingram

"The cohort enables faculty to promote and implement the quality teaching and learning NIU is known for and represents an investment by the university in professional development. It’s a holistic course that takes the approach good teaching is inclusive teaching. Through the course, they will learn the types of practices that support student success for everyone.” - Stephanie Richter, director of faculty development and instructional support, CITL

"Faculty are sharing their insights and challenges and building connections. It is wonderful to see those relationships building. I believe they will be long-lasting relationships that will continue well beyond the course.” - Yvonne Johnson, multimodal teaching coordinator and ACUE course facilitator, CITL

"I have used the online weekly schedule to help students stay on track every week, built a stronger online community with syllabus activities, icebreakers and online question parking lots. These activities have significantly increased the online communication amongst students. Although I have been teaching online for 8 years, the ACUE course provided me with an arsenal of ideas to continuously improve my teaching which in turn would enhance the student learning experience.” - Shanthi Muthuswami, professor and ACUE teaching fellow, fall 2020 cohort, Engineering Technology

"We’re really pleased where we’re at today with the ACUE program and look forward to continuing the partnership with ACUE into the future. There is significant evidence that faculty who participate in extended faculty development (like the ACUE course) translate that learning into course materials and teaching approaches that lead to student learning gains." - Jason Rhode, associate vice provost for Teaching, Learning, and Digital Education

“We are committed to building an equity-minded academic community that challenges and eliminates exclusionary practices and provides all faculty with the recognition and support necessary to achieve their full intellectual and professional potential." - Vernese Edghill-Walden, chief diversity officer and vice president for Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.