The Center for Teaching advances teaching and learning excellence at Iowa and develops a collaborative university culture that supports, values, and rewards effective teaching.

The center is an advocate for evidence-based, reflective teaching and a leader in instructor professional development, responsible for sparking and shaping transformative conversations about teaching and learning on campus and beyond.

Our team collaborates with UI instructors; teaching assistants; department, collegiate, and university administrators; students; and campus partners to create structures and policies that enhance teaching and learning excellence.

The Center for Teaching partners with all campus community members who care about excellence in teaching and learning, including all instructors, administrators, and staff. 

Teaching Feedback

The Center for Teaching offers teaching consultations, classroom observations, and instructional feedback for individuals as well as departments. 

Early-Career Support

Initiatives and programs to support faculty and instructors during their first years of teaching include the Course Design Institute, Early Career Faculty Academy, and Early Career Faculty Community of Practice. 

Graduate Student Support

Resources and guidance to support graduate students and teaching assistants, including learning communities, mentorship programs, instructional teams, and more. 

Faculty Communities

Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) and Communities of Practice (CoPs) are convened and facilitated by faculty scholar-practitioners and contribute to teaching and learning excellence. 

Teaching Resources

Explore evidence-based strategies, tools, and support to enhance your teaching and foster student learning.

Guidance on Teaching and Learning Topics

Center for Teaching staff have expertise in a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

On our website, you can find guidance on teaching and learning topics such as accessibility and universal design in learning (UDL), artificial intelligence, assessment, course design, inclusive teaching, self-evaluation, syllabus guidance, and scholarly teaching. 

Whether you are a teaching assistant or a department chair, our office is excited to engage with you on how we can support teaching excellence on campus. 

Visit our teaching topics page to explore articles, guidance, templates, and more.

Teaching Topics
Creative writing class

Roadmap for Teaching Success

This year-long roadmap of bite-sized activities is designed to help new instructors implement effective teaching strategies and set practical goals during their first two semesters.

A Spanish classroom at the University of Iowa

Documenting Teaching

Resources to help you thoughtfully document and present your teaching, from preparing teaching reviews to choosing artifacts to represent your work.

Recent Articles

Center for Teaching Staff Spotlight – Allie Brandriet

Wednesday, August 13, 2025
For our staff spotlight, we’re delighted to introduce you to our newest staff member. Allie Brandriet joined our team this spring as an assistant director at the Center for Teaching.
Participants in the 2025 Course Design Institute

Celebrating the 2025 Course Design Institute Cohort

Friday, July 18, 2025
The 2025 Course Design Institute took place from May 19–23 and included 18 instructors representing 14 departments across 6 colleges and units. Throughout the week, participants engaged in a student-centered, backward design process, beginning with identifying what they wanted students to remember long after the course ended, then aligning learning objectives, assignments, and activities to support those goals.

Students as Partners 2024-25 recap

Tuesday, May 6, 2025
As we complete the second year of Students as Partners at the University of Iowa, we are pleased to share a photo essay recapping a busy and successful academic year for the program. In addition to collaborating with instructors at Iowa and working with the Center for Teaching, student partners presented at numerous conferences across the country and hosted a cross-institutional visit with partners from Xavier University.
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Events and Workshops

AI Social promotional image

AI Social

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:30pm to 4:00pm
University Capitol Centre
Learn about AI and prepare for a new teaching semester with ice cream and informal conversation. Faculty and staff are invited to drop by any time between 2:30 and 4 p.m. to connect with colleagues, meet new people on campus, and learn from those with experience using generative AI in their teaching.Register for event.Co-sponsored event with the Center for Teaching and the Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology.
Alt Grading on ICON promotional image

Alt Grading on ICON

Friday, September 19, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
Translating the evaluation and grading criteria for syllabi into ICON can be a challenge. Learn how to work toward transparency and accuracy in your use of ICON for every assessment plan, including alternative assessments like ungrading and contract grading. Co-lead by Sarah Barringer, Department of English and Holly Soboroff, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Technology. Co-sponsored by the Center for Teaching.Register to attend.

Designing Your SoTL Study

Friday, September 26, 2025 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Van Allen Hall
This interactive workshop offers expert guidance and dedicated time to explore strategies for designing and conducting a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) study – a systematic, scholarly inquiry into student learning and instructional practices. Whether you're starting fresh or refining an existing project, in this workshop you will craft a research question grounded in your teaching and learning context and select a research method for your SoTL project.Register online

Scaffolding to Set Students Up for Success

Friday, October 10, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
This workshop offers practical approaches that build autonomy, metacognitive skills, and motivation. Participants will leave with strategies to support students through complex tasks while nurturing their ability to take ownership of their learning across various disciplines.Register online
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