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Intentional Pedagogy

Good Teaching can Impact Student Outcomes

In October 2022, CSI was awarded a 5-year federal grant to support our priorities as Idaho's first Hispanic-Serving Institution. This grant will provide various opportunities at CSI, including enhancing teaching practices. Members of CSI's first learning community are currently exploring effective instructional approaches to better support student success.  Recognizing that we as instructors contribute to positive student outcomes, we work intentionally to see each student and teach in ways that can meet everyone's needs. 

Members of the learning community have committed to improve the curriculum in ten CSI general education courses through the implementation of strategies to build:

  • Welcoming classroom environments.
  • Increased structures to encourage student participation and engagement with course materials.
  • The addition of active and collaborative learning opportunities in courses.
  • Asset-based mindsets and an appreciation of the value that all students bring to the learning environment.

 

Current ideas and practices include:

  • Rethinking syllabus design to incorporate a welcoming and student-friendly tone.
  • Clearly communicating to students the value of "student hours", and that this is their opportunity to seek additional feedback from instructors.
  • Making visible to students the why behind pedagogical decisions made within courses.
  • Incorporating video content as a means to welcome students, illustrate how to use our LMS, Canvas, and to introduce new content or model expectations.

CSI's faculty learning community is a rich environment where monthly meetings consist of collaborative sharing and ideation, a book read, collaboration with nationally-recognized experts, group discussion, and more. If you are interested in joining us, please contact tlc@csi.edu.