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

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.

Students studying outdoors at Iowa Memorial Union

Handbook for Teaching Excellence

Support to help instructors navigate their teaching roles and create meaningful learning experiences for their students. 

Access the Handbook
Instructor addressing her students during class

Using Midterm Feedback

Tools and advice for instructors looking to gather mid-semester feedback from students.

Guidance and Resources

Recent Articles

Graduate Teaching Fellows for 2023-2024

Thank you, fellows!

Thursday, May 9, 2024
As the 2023–2024 academic year comes to an end, the Center for Teaching would like to thank our graduate teaching fellows for their invaluable work.

Reflect, document, improve

Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Proactively documenting your teaching will make it easier to produce materials for annual review, tenure and promotion processes, and teaching awards and recognitions. The process of regularly collecting and reflecting on evidence about your teaching is also a great way to help you make informed decisions about your teaching practices and identify impactful areas for revision in your courses.

Students as Partners' impactful year

Monday, May 6, 2024
The University of Iowa’s Students as Partners program is wrapping up the academic year, cultivating inclusive, student-centered learning experiences across campus and beyond. The year has culminated with showcases and national recognition.

Events and Workshops

Inclusive Syllabus Design Retreat promotional image

Inclusive Syllabus Design Retreat

Monday, August 12, 2024 1:00pm to 3:30pm
University Capitol Centre
We will explore strategies for developing welcoming and learner-centered syllabi, revisit syllabus materials to make them more transparent and inclusive, and personalize syllabus statements. This casual retreat will include dedicated time and space for participants to work on their syllabus drafts.  The Center for Teaching advocates for effective, evidence-based, reflective teaching and acts as a collaborative partner in sparking and shaping conversations about higher education. As experts in...
Transparent Assignment Design Retreat promotional image

Transparent Assignment Design Retreat

Thursday, August 15, 2024 1:00pm to 3:30pm
University Capitol Centre
Learn how to design assignments leveraging the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework, which a growing body of evidence indicates improves students’ learning experiences and creates more equitable courses. This casual retreat will include dedicated time and space for participants to plan assignments. The Center for Teaching advocates for effective, evidence-based, reflective teaching and acts as a collaborative partner in sparking and shaping conversations about higher...
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