Connect. Learn. Share.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) serves to support the success of all faculty and staff contributing directly to the academic mission of USI.  CETL provides holistic faculty and educational development by supporting each individual's meaningful impact on student learning and success, teaching excellence, scholarly contributions, service to the USI community, and inclusive leadership. 

Overview of CETL programs and services.

News and Updates

• Syllabus Template has been updated (May 2020).
• Looking for information on the reappointment, promotion, and tenure portfolio?  Visit the Provost's Office Personnel Decisions webpage (updated June 2020). 
  • New Portfolio FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) document 
  • Slides from the May 2020 informational webinar. 
• The 2019 Scholarly and Creative Works report is available.
• The Thank A Faculty or Staff Member program was launched in April 2020.  Current and past USI students are invited to express their gratitude to someone at USI who has made a difference in their educational experience. 
• Thank you to all who participated in the fourth annual Celebration of Teaching & Learning Symposium on Wednesday, February 5, 2020!
• Join the CETL Mailing List. View past issues of CETL newsletters.

Support for Remote Teaching During COVID-19

Resources and support to help you adapt your courses to remote instruction are available through Online Learning. 
This is an extraordinary time for all of us as we take action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that you likely will be encountering disruptions and new challenges as you adapt in multiple fronts, including transitioning to online/alternative instruction so that your students can continue to learn. Please know that you have a community of support and expertise, including your colleagues, the staff in Online Learning, Information Technology, Rice Library, CETL, and Disability Resources, and many more across USI. We're here to help. 

• Recent CETL weekly newsletters 
  • 3 Questions to Improve Your Teaching and Academic Integrity: June 22
  • Creating Microlectures and Learning through Note-taking: June 15 
  • Building a Social Presence Online: June 8
  • Adjusting Expectations for Empathy, Equity, and Inclusivity: June 1
  • COVID-19 Burnout, Online Teaching Tips: May 26
  • Transparent Assignments, Course Tune-ups: May 18
  • Reflection, Syllabus Template, Cognitive Load: May 11
  • Providing Closure to Your Course: May 4
  • Escaping Grading Jail: April 27
  • Planning for Finals: April 20
  • Student Anxiety and Cheating: April 13
  • Zoomed Out: April 6
  • Being Kind to Ourselves: March 30
  • Supporting Each Other and Our Students: March 23
  • Switching to Online: March 16
• Additional resources
  • Adapting your Face-to-Face Course for Online webinar: Slides, planning worksheet, and recording to provide you with guidance for adapting your class to an online/remote environment and draft a weekly revised course plan based on your existing plans. 
  • Teaching with Limited Internet webinar: Slides and recording providing alternatives for student activities/assignments and instructional strategies when you or your students have limited internet access. 
  • Adapting Exams and Assessments webinar: Slides providing considerations and suggestions for transforming high-stakes exams into assessments of student outcomes that adapt to the online/remote environment.
  • Teaching with Bingo: Sample bingo card and tips to promote metacognition and positive behaviors while mixing in some fun.
• Crowdsourcing tools, tips, and resources for adapting to online/alternative instruction. You are invited to contribute to and view a list of resources developed by and for the USI community.
  • Add to the list: What tools, tips, and resources have you found to be useful as you navigate the shift to online/remote instruction? 
  • View the list: This curated list is updated regularly to include the suggested resources and tips for the USI community. ​

Upcoming Events