Pedagogy
Learner-centered approaches to learning and teaching that engage lived experiences and social identities in meaningful ways throughout the curriculum.
Overview
Pedagogy, broadly speaking, refers to the methods, theories, and practices of learning and teaching. At the Searle Center, we specifically ground our practices, programs, and events within the principles of inclusive pedagogy—the approach to learning and teaching that centers learners’ lived experiences and social identities when developing teaching methods, assessments and evaluations, and other elements of course design.
Programs
Our programs offer the Northwestern community a variety of ways to develop teaching skills, enhance student learning, and find community. The following programs will spark your curiosity about pedagogy.
Reflective & Effective Teaching
Reflective & Effective Teaching offers a unique cohort-based learning community for graduate students and postdocs who aspire to improve student learning in their disciplines. Applicants, who are selected as teacher-scholars, can choose from our traditional three-quarter sequence of seminars and special-topics workshops or engage on a quarterly basis, selecting seminars and artifacts that align with their stage of teaching, availability, and goals.
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Reflective Teaching Guides
Reflective Teaching Guides further their pedagogical development by mentoring their peers in Reflective and Effective Teaching (RET).
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Formative Feedback Partners
Formative Feedback Partners are graduate students, postdocs, and faculty trained in leading Small Group Analyses, conducting Teaching Observations, and facilitating End-of-Term Focus Groups to provide evidence-based, formative feedback on teaching. Throughout the academic year, Formative Feedback Partners participate in a learning community in which they engage in discussions and activities to deepen their skills in providing written and verbal formative feedback.
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Quarterly Academic Kickoff Events
Quarterly Academic Kickoff Events are interactive days of informative sessions designed to facilitate graduate student and postdoc transitions to teaching roles at Northwestern University. The events are held every fall and spring.
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STEM Teaching MOOC-Centered Learning Community
Learn about STEM teaching through online courses and a campus learning community. Graduate students, postdocs, and faculty are invited to concurrently participate in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and MOOC-Centered Learning Community (MCLC).
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Mentored Discussions of Teaching
Mentored Discussions of Teaching (MDT) is designed to engage STEM and SBE graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in discussions with faculty about teaching and learning.
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Universal Design for Learning Practicum
This is a three-week, cohort-based online program designed for participants to reflect on the evolving needs of students and instructors, with an emphasis on mental health.
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Learning & Teaching Guides
Guides created by or in collaboration with the Searle Center to help educators explore and advance their pedagogies.
In Our Library
A curated list of recommended books related to pedagogy available at the Menges Library, located in the Searle Center.
Further Resources
Our current recommendations for both foundational and leading-edge content related to pedagogy.
- “Developing a Pedagogy That Supports Intercultural Competence.” ASHE Higher Education Report, 38(2), 45–63.’
Awards & Grants
Northwestern University recognizes educators and researchers doing innovative work. The following list includes opportunities which we believe dovetail with work related to pedagogy.
Calendar of Events
Below are all of our upcoming events related to pedagogy.
11:45 AMNorris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
The Searle Center will host a lunch for faculty in their first year at Northwestern to share and reflect on learning and...
12:00 PM627 Dartmouth Place, 627 Dartmouth Place
During this workshop, participants will consider different methods of providing effective feedback on a variety of stude...