Toolkits

These resources provide you with the opportunity to explore new teaching strategies and approaches.

Information and resources are compiled and available regarding accessible instruction, including NIU based resources as well as general resources categorized as Pedagogy, Technology, Legislation, Guidelines, and Accessibility and Learning Management Systems.

View Accessibility Toolkit

Amid a growing number of politically-charged topics that face our society, it is more important than ever that we address these issues in our courses. These issues might be a planned part of your curriculum or they may come up spontaneously in discussion, so it is important to be prepared to frame the conversation in productive and inclusive ways. These resources will help you be ready to treat controversial topics as valuable learning opportunities..

View Addressing Politically-Charged Topics in the Classroom

Resources on navigating the use of Artificial Intelligence in higher education teaching and learning.

View AI in Teaching Toolkit

Curated resources that include examples of freedom of expression in the classroom as well as tips for handling conflict in the classroom and managing difficult conversations.

View Classroom Conflict Toolkit

Information on training and quick guides for using classroom technology, including details on classroom streaming.

View Classroom Technology Toolkit

Community-engaged courses combine learning goals and community service in ways that can enhance both student growth and the common good. This approach is sometimes called “Service Learning” and is a high-impact practice that can create meaningful learning experiences for all students.

View Community-Engagement Toolkit for Faculty and Staff

The general education program at NIU is embedded in our core values of inclusion and respect, curiosity and creativity, ethics and integrity, and service and stewardship. This toolkit is part of the Enriching the Design of General Education (EDGE) pilot initiative that fosters a thriving and supportive community of practice among faculty and emphasizes the unique philosophy and practices that define general education courses.

View Enriching the Design of General Education (EDGE) Toolkit

Over-reliance on student evaluations of teaching has been found to have disproportionately negative outcomes for faculty from under-represented groups, including women and faculty of color. This toolkit includes resources on alternative strategies for evaluating teaching and describes related support services provided by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning.

View Evaluation of Teaching Toolkit

Flexible Teaching is an approach to course design and delivery that helps students learn and succeed in any mode: face-to-face, online, or hybrid. This toolkit, developed during the pandemic, offers tips and recommendations for flexible course design and delivery.

View Flexible Teaching Toolkit

This toolkit is a compilation of techniques for environmentally-friendly teaching. This information comes from several sources, including other academic institutions and environmental agencies. The techniques are sorted according to the teaching life cycle.

View Greener Teaching Techniques Toolkit

Examples of peer review of teaching criteria and processes implemented for in-person, hybrid, and online teaching.

View Peer Review of Teaching Toolkit

This program provided faculty with scaffolded support to improve student success in the gateway course(s) they were teaching by sending email newsletters with timely reminders and suggestions at pivotal points in the semester of specific, actionable strategies they could use to support students success without compromising academic rigor.

View Scaffolded Support for Teaching Gateway Courses Toolkit

Whether you are a faculty member, instructor, or teaching assistant, you have the potential to make a difference for students in their success both in and out of the classroom. These resources can help you both challenge and support students through their journey at NIU.

View Student Success Toolkit

These resources have been curated to help faculty address the challenges they have identified as potential barriers to student success in gateway courses, based on responses to a survey administered as part of NIU’s initiative to improve student success and reduce equity gaps in such courses.

View Student Success in Gateway Courses Toolkit

Effective syllabi are learner-centered, meaning they move beyond the mechanics of a course (i.e. office hours, deadlines, and textbooks) to outline how students can be successful in a course. This toolkit includes guides, checklists and syllabus statements for designing an effective, student-centered syllabus.

View Syllabus Toolkit

In response to the tragedy at NIU, the NIU Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning has compiled the following information and resources for faculty as the campus community heals. These shared resources remain archived here.

View Teaching After Crisis Toolkit

The first week of classes is a critical opportunity to engage students actively and early, thereby setting the expectation for a high level of participation throughout the semester. The connections that students form in the first week with you and their classmates can have a profound impact on their sense of belonging and ultimately their success and persistence in the course. This toolkit offers principles and strategies to keep in mind as you develop your syllabus and plan your first week of class.

View Week of Engagement Toolkit

Contact Us

Center for Innovative
Teaching and Learning

Phone: 815-753-0595
Email: citl@niu.edu