
Focus Areas
Staying at the forefront of emerging trends in learning and teaching, we have identified seven interconnected areas of focus as top priorities. We center Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in all our work.
Cultivating Engaging & Inclusive Learning Environments
Learn More about UsWe support Northwestern University instructors at all levels in utilizing evidence-driven strategies to develop highly effective learning environments and experiences and to foster equity and belonging with inclusive pedagogical practices. We enthusiastically collaborate to build robust partnerships across the student learning ecosystem and serve as an agent of organizational change to advance strategic imperatives around learning and teaching.
Staying at the forefront of emerging trends in learning and teaching, we have identified seven interconnected areas of focus as top priorities. We center Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in all our work.
We engage with Northwestern University educators in all stages of their careers by designing leading-edge programs, interactive workshops, featured events, affinity groups and community gatherings along with tailored services for individuals and departments and carefully curated resources to foster teaching innovation and promote deep student learning.
Whether browsing around to spark new ideas or looking for strategies to address a particular teaching pinch-point, our Learning & Teaching guides and array of recommended evidence-based resources are available to support instructors whenever the need arises.
Join colleagues in the upcoming Addressing Evolving Needs with Universal Design for Learning Practicum, a three-week, cohort-based online program designed for instructors of all levels, backgrounds, and teaching contexts to reflect on the evolving needs of students and instructors, with an emphasis on mental health.
Recent reads we can’t stop thinking about.
It can be tempting to completely redesign a course when you discover an exciting new teaching approach or realize your current approach isn’t quite working. Education writer James Lang knows this temptation well, but he also knows that faculty rarely have time to completely overhaul a course. Instead, he makes small, powerful tweaks to his course design and teaching approach, which he shares with readers in the revised and updated version of Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (2021), a practical guide for educators looking to improve their teaching methods and increase student engagement using evidence-based, teacher-tested strategies.
Each quarter, we will feature Northwestern University educators doing innovative work in the classroom. These shorts interviews will showcase their educational journeys, signature styles, and how their teaching has been shaped by their work with the Searle Center.
Students' comfort and the classroom environment are so important for supporting a growth mindset.”
Casey Ankeny
Associate Professor of Instruction
Director o
McCormick School of Engineering
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