Category: Tips on Teaching

by Konnor Brennan, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center The tools and methods instructors use to assess to student understanding in their courses play many roles in course design. Assessing students throughout the course is important to ensure that students passing the course are meeting certain standards that are required to pass the course, and/or ensuring that… Continue reading An Overview of Assessment

by Kristin Broussard, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center Many instructors have heard the term “active learning” and are aware of the push in higher education away from all lecture and towards incorporating alternative teaching methods in the classroom. But how do you design a meaningful activity for your class? There is no one “right” way to… Continue reading Designing Meaningful In-Class Activities

by Konnor Brennan, Graduate Assistant, Reinert Center In-class discussions are one of the most frequently used pedagogical activities. While they are very popular in classrooms, most instructors know that implementing an effective and productive discussion takes time and planning. Designing and implementing an effective discussion activity can sometimes be challenging. One of the key components… Continue reading In-class Discussions

by Gina Merys, Acting Director, Reinert Center Icebreakers, often defined as techniques to introduce people to each other, are frequently used during the first week of classes to help instructors and students get to know one another. While this can be useful, when designed with the skills and knowledge of a specific course in mind,… Continue reading Icebreakers in the Classroom

As you prepare for the year ahead, consider reviewing some of the online resources available on our website.  For example, the Reinert Center’s brief Resource Guides offer a few practical strategies for a number of teaching topics.  While they are far from comprehensive solutions, they may be useful suggestions as you prepare to teach this… Continue reading New Semester Resources

by Elizabeth A. Gockel-Blessing, Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Health Sciences Do you ever get tired of teaching your courses the same way year after year?  If so, join the club.  I am writing this post to share one example of how I redesigned what I consider to be my “flagship”… Continue reading Themed Teaching: A Creative Strategy for Course Redesign

by Sandy Gambill, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center This past semester you may have read about SLU Professor Simone Bregni’s use of video games in the classroom. You can see him talk about his experience teaching Intensive Italian for Gamers as a Reinert Center Innovative Teaching fellow in this video: https://vimeo.com/214052615 We know that most of… Continue reading Gamification in the Classroom

by James Fortney, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Theatre can be a powerful tool for learning. I have used a variety of performance-based activities in my own teaching to help engage students in understanding and applying course concepts. Often, these activities take the form of impromptu scenarios where students are asked to think (and act) critically… Continue reading Theatre Activities to Support Student Learning