Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support Blog

Digital Accessibility as a Teaching Practice

Digital accessibility becomes manageable when treated as an ongoing teaching practice, not a one-time fix. Small, weekly improvements—like clear structure, captions, and templates—reduce barriers, support learning, and make courses more inclusive and sustainable.

Blog Posted April 14, 2026

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Encouraging Students to Complete End-of-Course Surveys: Practical Strategies for Any Modality

Low response rates weaken end-of-course surveys. Students skip them due to time, value, or trust issues. Instructors can boost participation by explaining impact, giving class time, encouraging feedback, ensuring anonymity, and fostering a supportive climate.

Blog Posted April 10, 2026

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Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Asking Better Questions: How Three Simple Types Transform Learning

In this episode of Take 2 for Teaching & Learning, we explore how three strategic types of questions: recall, analysis, and application, can unlock deeper thinking in the college classroom.

Blog Posted April 03, 2026

- Problem-Based Learning- Designing Courses Around Inquiry and Application - Blog Featured Image

Take 2 for Teaching and Learning - Problem-Based Learning: Designing Courses Around Inquiry and Application

PBL engages students in solving real-world problems, building critical thinking, collaboration, and self-directed learning. It shifts classrooms from lectures to inquiry, with instructors guiding research, analysis, and reflection.

Blog Posted March 20, 2026

When an Exam Doesn't Go as Planned - Blog Featured Image

When an Exam Doesn’t Go as Planned: Questions to Ask Before You Curve or Toss

Unexpected exam results—like many low scores or a missed question—should prompt item analysis. Review score patterns, question clarity, alignment with instruction, and difficulty before curving or adjusting to ensure fair grading.

Blog Posted March 13, 2026

Requiring Required Reading

Students often skip readings when they lack value, clarity, or support. Boost completion through clear purpose, accountability, manageable workloads, skill-building, and social learning.

Blog Posted February 20, 2026

AI Is Here - Now What? Students Speak Candidly on Ethics, Engagement, and Education

CMU students shared how they use AI daily for learning and efficiency, urging faculty to teach responsible use, design relevant, AI-resistant assignments, and maintain human connection in feedback to foster integrity and critical thinking.

Blog Posted April 11, 2025

Beyond the Grade - Using Rubrics to Support Learning - Blog Featured Image

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Beyond the Grade: Using Rubrics to Support Learning

In this episode of Take 2 for Teaching and Learning, Dr. Sarah Learman highlights the uses and benefits behind rubrics in the higher ed classroom.

Blog Posted January 23, 2026

Office Hours, Reimagined: From Underused Obligation to High-Impact Practice

Underused office hours reflect a perception gap, not low motivation. When intentionally framed, accessible, and relational, office hours become high-impact spaces that support learning, equity, belonging, and connection.

Blog Posted January 16, 2026

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Why Metacognition Matters: The importance of helping students learn how to learn

In this episode of Take 2 for Teaching & Learning, Dr. Sarah Learman highlights the importance of metacognitive practices in teaching and learning.

Blog Posted January 12, 2026

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Take 2 for Teaching and Learning - Gallery Walks: How to Get Students Moving and Learning, Together

Blog Posted November 21, 2025

Take 2 for Teaching and Learning - Student Exemplars: A Powerful Tool for Learning

Student exemplars clarify expectations, model quality work, and build confidence. Used thoughtfully, they guide reflection, promote self-regulated learning, and help students reach higher levels of achievement.

Blog Posted November 14, 2025

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning: Concept Mapping

Gabrielle Likavec demonstrates how to use concept mapping as an engaging visual strategy to help students make meaningful connections between ideas, deepen understanding, and develop critical thinking skills across disciplines, in just about two minutes.

Blog Posted October 21, 2025

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 in Action: Igniting Learner Joy and Agency

UDL 3.0 encourages faculty to reimagine classrooms as spaces of connection, curiosity, and belonging—where students thrive not only because of what they learn, but also how they learn.

Blog Posted October 17, 2025

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Retrieval: Enhancing the Impact of Your Teaching

Dr. Brooke Moore explains how the simple act of retrieval can boost retention, build confidence, and uncover learning gaps.

Blog Posted October 10, 2025

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Navigating Difficult Conversations: Fostering Civil Discourse in Challenging Times

Difficult classroom conversations build critical thinking, empathy, and civil discourse. By creating safe spaces, facilitating dialogue, structuring evaluation, and fostering perspective-taking, faculty prepare students for engaged citizenship.

Blog Posted November 01, 2024

Becoming a Warm Demander in Higher Ed: Empowering Students Through Care and Challenge

A “warm demander” in higher ed pairs high expectations with empathy, using trust, consistency, and care to help students grow, persist, and succeed through both challenge and support.

Blog Posted October 31, 2025

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Exit Tickets: A Powerful Reflection Tool in the Classroom

In this Take 2 for Teaching and Learning video, Dr. Sarah Learman shares how exit tickets can bring you insight into student learning and progress in your course.

Blog Posted September 24, 2025

Blog Featured Image-Doug Lapp-Faculty Voices

Faculty Voices: Office Hours LIVE, using the Lightboard Maker Space

Professor Doug Lapp shares how transitioning from screencast videos to Lightboard Studio and using it for his long-running “Office Hours LIVE” has enhanced student engagement by making instruction more personal and accessible to all learners.

Blog Posted January 27, 2023

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning: Jigsaw Strategy

In this short video, Gabrielle Likavec introduces the jigsaw strategy, a collaborative learning approach that transforms group work into a purposeful, student-centered experience. Learn how to break down complex content into manageable subtopics and empower students to become both learners and teachers in your classroom. This strategy is perfect for medium—to large classes across disciplines.

Blog Posted September 12, 2025

IN THIS SECTION

Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support Blog

Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support Blog

Recent posts

Digital Accessibility as a Teaching Practice

Encouraging Students to Complete End-of-Course Surveys: Practical Strategies for Any Modality

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Asking Better Questions: How Three Simple Types Transform Learning

Take 2 for Teaching and Learning - Problem-Based Learning: Designing Courses Around Inquiry and Application

When an Exam Doesn’t Go as Planned: Questions to Ask Before You Curve or Toss

Requiring Required Reading

AI Is Here - Now What? Students Speak Candidly on Ethics, Engagement, and Education

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Beyond the Grade: Using Rubrics to Support Learning

Office Hours, Reimagined: From Underused Obligation to High-Impact Practice

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Why Metacognition Matters: The importance of helping students learn how to learn

Take 2 for Teaching and Learning - Gallery Walks: How to Get Students Moving and Learning, Together

Take 2 for Teaching and Learning - Student Exemplars: A Powerful Tool for Learning

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning: Concept Mapping

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 in Action: Igniting Learner Joy and Agency

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Retrieval: Enhancing the Impact of Your Teaching

Navigating Difficult Conversations: Fostering Civil Discourse in Challenging Times

Becoming a Warm Demander in Higher Ed: Empowering Students Through Care and Challenge

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning - Exit Tickets: A Powerful Reflection Tool in the Classroom

Faculty Voices: Office Hours LIVE, using the Lightboard Maker Space

Take 2 for Teaching & Learning: Jigsaw Strategy

Located in Park Library 413

Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support Blog

Recent posts

Located in Park Library 413

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