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Common Teaching Topics

Overview

Below is a collection of resources surrounding some of the most requested topics to assist you in your teaching. Take a moment to browse through this page to see if any of the topics interest you. Many teaching topics are also addressed in videos posted to the FDC YouTube channel.

Learning Objectives

Learning objectives are the foundation of well-designed instruction. To improve your learning objectives, use the resources here.

Backward Course Design

You select your textbook last? What?

Backwards course design is a course development process that starts with identifying student learning goals, moves to scaffolding assessments around these goals, and finishes with curating content to help students complete these activities effectively.

Please read more about backward course design and how to implement it in your teaching.

Generative AI

The use of AI by students has rapidly unfolded. If you are looking for strategies on how to address the use of this tool in your classroom please self-enroll in the Generative AI (ChatGPT/LLM) Faculty Resources Canvas class.

WAC LIAISONS

You can also explore the WAC LIAISONS Program website which, among other things, connects writing and A.I. pedagogies to improve student writing and learning.

Leading Class Discussions

Leading class discussion can sometimes be frustrating or intimidating. Learn more about effective ways to structure, prepare, and lead your class discussions.

Tackling Tough Topics

Discussing certain topics can be intimidating for instructors and students. Learn more about tackling tough topics in the classroom.

Quality Assurance

CSU Online Course Services (CSU-OCS) supports CSU faculty who are designing and delivering quality online courses (asynchronous online, synchronous online, and hybrid modalities). CSU-OCS provides professional development focused on two quality assurance rubrics that assist faculty with designing a student-centered, quality online learning experience.

Two Quality Assurance Rubrics

  • CSU Quality Learning and Teaching (QLT) Rubric – The current 2022 (3rd edition) comprises 52 objectives across 9 sections. The rubric helps support and identify exemplary practices for the design, development, and delivery of online courses.
  • Quality Matters (QM) Rubric – The current 2023 QM rubric (7th edition) comprises 44 standards across 8 sections. The rubric helps support and identify exemplary practices for the design and development of online courses.

Quality Assurance Professional Development

CSU-OCS regularly offers both QLT and QM professional development on a semester-to-semester basis. To learn more about the offerings (e.g., course descriptions, sample syllabus) and to register, visit CSU-OCS Professional Development Courses.

CSUF Quality Assurance Program

To learn more about the CSUF Online Quality Assurance Program   (e.g., goals, professional development, research), please contact Dr. Shelli Wynants, Quality Online Inclusive Learning Design Coordinator.

Academic Dishonesty

When it comes to academic dishonesty, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Use these resources to learn how to prevent and deal with cheating and plagiarism.

Affordable Course Materials

Textbook prices have soared in recent years, while options for accessing low-cost and free course materials have proliferated. Here are several important gateways to more affordable resources.

Accessible Course Materials

Are your course materials accessible? If not, here are some resources to help you create accessible documents and presentations.

Exam Writing

Have you received guidance in how to write effective test questions or format your exams well? Most of us haven't! Learn more through these resources.

Summer and Intersession Teaching

These compressed course formats often require restructuring and different use of class time to be effective. Learn more about effective strategies  through the resources below.

Flipping Your Class

Flipping your class allows you to act as a guide in the classroom and maximizes opportunities for in-class application, practice, and feedback. Learn more about flipping your classroom.

Resources For Students

YOU@Fullerton: Now more than ever students are turning online to get help with what they are dealing with. YOU@Fullerton is a tool designed to help students find articles, videos, and campus resources that support their goals, wellness, and mental health. All activities on YOU@Fullerton are anonymous .

CSUF Cares: Provides programs and services
designed to support students' academic
and personal success.

Basic Needs: Identifies and serves students who are experiencingan unforeseen hardship, emergency, crisis, or catastrophic life event. The resources offered
are designed to promote wellness and enable
students to complete their education.

Quick Starts

Concise documents on a variety of topics:

High-Impact Practices

High-impact practices are a vital part of CSUF’s curriculum and our strategic plan. They bring about meaningful improvements in students’ academic performance, graduation rates, and retention rates. They are powerful tools that transform students' perceptions of themselves and their ability to apply what they learn in the classroom to make a difference in the real world. Use the resources here to learn more about CSUF’s commitment to high-impact practices and how you can incorporate them into your courses. To learn more about how CSUF is implementing High-Impact Practices,  watch this 5-minute video .

Rubrics

Well-constructed rubrics can streamline grading, provide formative feedback, and enable self-assessment.

Streaming Media

The Pollak Library offers thousands of streaming videos on several platforms. Please visit the Pollak Library's Streaming Media webpage.

Online Teaching

Online teaching resources are accessed on the FDC website on the Teaching Online page.