Northern Illinois University
Faculty Development and
Instructional Design Center
Division of Academic Affairs

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

Instructional Guide for University Faculty - Short articles on a wide variety of topics related to teaching and learning

Preparing to Teach for the First Time - Quick guide for planning your first course and preparing for your first class meeting

Guidelines for Those New to Teaching at NIU - Overview of policies and procedures related to teaching at NIU (see the Faculty & Academics section of the Policy Library for the comprehensive list of academic policies)

Strategies for Starting the Semester Well - Tips for having an effective first class session to set a positive tone for the rest of the semester

Syllabus Checklist - Recommended sections to be included in a course syllabus

Teaching a Course on Short Notice - Tips for prioritizing tasks to prepare a course when you are assigned to teach close to the beginning of the course

Online Teaching Resources - Quick Guide on the most important tasks to complete when beginning to teach a course online and to jump-start your course development

Faculty Toolkit for Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Resources on creating an inclusive classroom and incorporating culturally responsive teaching techniques

Resources for Accessible Teaching - List of NIU-based resources as well as general resources on the topics of pedagogy, technology, legislation, guidelines, and learning management systems

In addition to these resources, we promote effective teaching through a number of programs and services for individual as well as groups of faculty. For more information, please contact center staff in charge of teaching-related assistance.

• Faculty Development Services
  • Classroom Observations
  • Consultations
  • Workshops on Teaching Effectiveness
• Online Tutorials
  • Academic Integrity (for faculty)
  • Academic Integrity (for students)
  • Presentation Skills
  • Writing Practices

• Awards for Teaching Excellence at NIU
  • Excellence in Undergraduate Education Awards
  • Presidential and Distinguished Teaching Professors
• Frequently Asked Questions on Teaching and Related Topics
• Sample of Teaching-Related Resources at NIU
  • Disability Resource Center
  • Graduate Colloquium
  • Honors Program
• Teaching-Related Grants at NIU
• Teaching-Related Policies and Procedures at NIU
• Teaching with Technology