Introduction

What makes great teaching? This is a question that has been asked across centuries, disciplines, and institutions—and the answer continues to evolve. At its heart, great teaching is about fostering learning. It means creating environments where students feel motivated, supported, and challenged. It involves designing instruction that is research-informed, responsive, and adaptable to a wide range of student needs and goals. And it depends on the educator—their mindset, preparation, and commitment to ongoing growth.

This guide is designed to support educators—whether new faculty, graduate instructors, or experienced teachers looking for fresh ideas—with tools and insights to enhance their teaching. We begin with the foundation: understanding who our students are, how they learn, and how we, as educators, can create conditions that promote their success. From there, we explore how to structure courses, design meaningful assessments, facilitate discussions, and implement active learning techniques.

Importantly, this book does not prescribe a single “right way” to teach. Instead, it offers research-based strategies that can be adapted to fit different teaching styles, disciplines, and instructional settings. Teaching is a dynamic process that calls for continuous reflection and flexibility, and this guide is intended to support you in that process.

Throughout the guide, you will find practical teaching tips, examples, and reflective prompts to help you apply these ideas to your own courses. Our goal is not just to provide information, but to foster a sense of confidence, curiosity, and responsiveness as you grow in your teaching practice.

Whether you are designing your first syllabus, revising an assignment, or rethinking your approach to student learning, we hope this guide will serve as a trusted companion in your work. Let’s begin.