From pre-semester course planning to mid-course pivots and end-of-term reflection, Drake Institute Instructional Consultants can help you explore the teaching ideas, questions and challenges you’re grappling with right now. Trained in client-focused consultation strategies and evidence-informed teaching practices, our consultants lend a listening ear and fresh perspective to help you reflect, plan and problem-solve.
We know every instructional context is unique—teaching consultations offer dedicated space for collegial, confidential conversation centered on solutions tailored to your needs.
According to one consultee from the College of Social Work,
"If you want teaching support focused on the topics and concerns that are most important to you, I highly recommend the consultation services at the Drake Institute for evidenced based, timely, compassionate, and informative teaching support.
"It reaffirmed my strengths as an educator and brought to my attention and awareness new teaching practices, tools, and strategies I could use to continue my growth and development."
Educators request consultations to discuss a range of matters, big and small. For example:
- Getting started with teaching
- Revising a syllabus
- Designing or redesigning a course
- Implementing active learning and other teaching methods
- Leveraging university-supported technology tools
- Exploring new instructional approaches in the age of AI
- Navigating classroom conflict
- Collecting and responding to student feedback
- Crafting a teaching statement or portfolio
The Drake Institute's consultation services are available to all who teach and support instruction at Ohio State. Our consultants can meet in-person or virtually, depending on your preference and availability. Learn what to expect from the consultation process on our Consultation Services page.
What instructors have to say
No matter your discipline, experience level or teaching context, consultations can provide valuable perspective on your instruction and your students' experience. Consider these testimonials about the consultation experience from educators across Ohio State.
Human Nutrition, College of Education and Human Ecology
"I wanted to get new ideas and perspectives for incorporating more active learning into my lectures. It was very positive and helpful. Not only did I receive additional ideas for active learning, I was also invited to participate in a workshop and community of practice working group where I could gain even more ideas from others in the university."
Department of Design, College of Arts and Sciences
"My consultation experience was both validating of my expertise in the classroom and in my research area as well as informative; the consultant with whom I met completed a thorough review of my course materials, visited my classroom to speak with my students, then provided a helpful summary of students' concerns as well as suggestions for improving not only my course materials but also how I unpack assignments and assessment for my students in the classroom. My consultant seemed to genuinely care to uncover my students' perspectives and my own, and was encouraging throughout the process."
Anonymous department
"The consultation had a meaningful and positive impact on my teaching. It helped me become more intentional about the language I use, how I communicate with students, and how I approach their overall learning experience. [...] The consultation also changed the way I look at SEI and SSLE data. Rather than viewing the results simply as scores, I now see them as an important tool for understanding my students’ experiences and identifying specific ways I can continue to improve my teaching."
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
"The consultants provide feedback from a perspective that is invaluable: expert-level advice that recognizes the needs of both students and instructors and focuses on improving the classroom experience holistically."
Moritz College of Law
"I sought consultation just in general through a SGID to help me see what I was doing well and what could get improved in the middle of the term. My concerns were about teaching a complex topic in a way that was digestible. [...] The consultation process was absolutely amazing. The consultants work well with you to create a plan and generate ideas to respond to students’ feedback. They also help make that feedback actionable and digestible (and filter out the sometimes mean stuff that is not helpful)."
