University Practicum

Northwestern's University Practicum is a flexible online series of sessions designed for instructors of all levels, backgrounds, and teaching contexts.

The University Practicum, which has drawn over 1,000 instructors across all schools, is collaboratively designed to enhance evidence-based teaching practices, leverage educational technology, deepen the integration of Universal Design for Learning, and cultivate learning environments for student success and instructor vitality in close alignment with Northwestern’s institutional priorities of pursuing excellence across all disciplines and strengthening community. Collaborators include AccessibleNU, Northwestern IT Teaching and Learning Technologies, Office of the Provost, School of Professional Studies Distance Learning, Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching, and University Libraries, in partnership with faculty subject matter experts across the University.

Want to learn more? Please email practicum@northwestern.edu.

“The practicum gives me a space to collaborate with other instructors and discuss how we implement teaching strategies and techniques in our own classrooms—what we’ve tried, and what has worked. I find that to be very, very useful. ”

—Arend Kuyper, Director Undergraduate Studies for Data Science, Department of Statistics and Data Science

2025–26 Practicum

Next year's topic will be announced this fall!

Open Educational Resources

Our Open Educational Resources (OERs) are created for instructors of all levels, backgrounds, and teaching contexts.

Supporting Student Success Practicum

This OER invites instructors to (re)define student success, exploring ways to create an environment for, facilitate, and assess student success through engaging recordings and curated resources. Video resources include real-word examples and reflections from a panel of Northwestern faculty and a keynote address on holistic approaches to student success by Jillian Kinzie, Associate Director of the National Survey of Student Engagement. Get started with Supporting Student Success.

Reimagining Assessment Practicum (RAP)

This OER presents strategies that enable students to maximize learning and growth, emphasizing approaches and alternative methods that make grading a more meaningful interaction between instructors and students. Video resources include sessions on optimizing Canvas for grading and feedback, a Northwestern student panel on socio-emotional wellness, and a keynote address on authentic evaluation by Robert Talbert, co-author of Grading for Growth (2023). Get started with RAP.

Universal Design for Learning Practicum (UDLP)

This OER addresses students' evolving needs with Universal Design for Learning (UDL), inviting instructors to reflect on those needs and create more supportive, inclusive, and accessible learning environments for all through the implementation of UDL principles. In addition to introducing key UDL concepts, this resource includes practical applications, tools, and discussion/reflection prompts for instructors of all levels. Get started with UDLP.