The Center For Teaching of Vanderbilt University has prepared guides to a variety of teaching topics with summaries of best practices, links to other online resources, and information about local resources.
Explore a selection of guides we have prepared for you. For more information visit the Center For Teaching.
How People Learn
Based on the book How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School this guide presents pedagogical theories and how these apply in teaching.
Learning Styles
Definition and importance of these styles are presented here.
Motivating Students
Types of motivation and how they affect learning.
Visual Thinking
Resources for integrating visual thinking in teaching.
Promoting Student Metacognition
Learn how you can be aware of strategies for effective learning.
Increasing Inclusivity in the Classroom
In this guide the importance & techniques of inclusive teaching are discussed.
Active Learning
Read about the theory, the importance and the techniques you can use.
Blended & Online Learning
A guide on research on the learning possibilities and effective practices for facilitating online courses.
Effective Educational Videos
Learn more on how to engage students with educational videos and how to avoid cognitive load.
Flipping the Classroom
Read about the theoretical basis, definitions, and the key elements.
Learning & Course Management Systems (LMS/SMS)
A guide about definitions, use, and possibilities of such systems for both instructors and students.
Syllabus Design
Key elements of a syllabus and the effect on the learning process
Understanding by Design
Introduction to backward design
Assessing Student Learning
An overview of assessment, including definitions, plans, and methods of student assessment.
Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)
An introduction to CATs, containing tips on when and how to use them.
Classroom Response Systems ("Clickers")
An extensive overview of CRS.
Writing Good Multiple Choice Questions
Guidelines for constructing effective questions.
Peer Review of Teaching
Read about why peer review is important, how to do it and how to evaluate.
Student Evaluations
This guide includes tips and practices for evaluating students.
Teaching Portfolios
Guidelines for creating teaching portfolios.
Teaching Statements
Guidelines for writing a teaching statement.
COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) updates
Updated page with developing news and actions that are being taken to support and protect the IB community
Online learning, teaching and education continuity planning for schools
The IBO has developed this guidance for schools that are facing closures and quarantines due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. It contains suggestions and guidelines for online and blended learning, with further suggestions for free apps and solutions for schools that may not have online or mobile solutions in place at the time of closing.
Schools respond to COVID-19 outbreak by going virtual
Due to the COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, emergency, many IB World Schools are successfully using online learning to continue students’ education, says IB Curriculum Manager Pilar Quezzaire. Two educators share their experiences.
Taking school online: lessons from research and practice
As many schools around the world close due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), IB World Magazine shares some challenges and solutions for education continuity in the third part of our blog series.
Course Development Guide [by Rutgers Teaching & Learning with Technology]
This guide is intended to provide you with basic information about the process of developing a course with the support of an instructional designer. It also includes Video Tutorials on Teaching.
PoRTAL: Purdue Repository for online Teaching and Learning
A go-to resource for anyone interested in online teaching and learning.
Technology and tools for online learning
Provides guidance, resources, and case studies around the use of technologies to support online courses and distance learning programs.