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Foundations of Effective Learning Environments

Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning

Overview

Effective learning environments are intentionally designed spaces - physical and virtual, both inside and outside of the classroom - where teaching practices are informed by evidence, reflection, and a commitment to student success. They promote intellectual diversity by creating learning environments where students encounter and engage with diverse perspectives, supported by instructors who reflect on their teaching values, uphold academic freedom, and design comprehensive course elements across disciplines. Transparency in teaching, through clear communication about course outcomes, assignments, and assessments supports student motivation and engagement, especially when paired with active learning strategies. These environments are also responsive and adaptive, using student feedback to inform instructional decisions and foster continuous improvement. Grounded in the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), effective learning environments proactively address accessibility, removing barriers in course materials and activities to ensure all students can participate fully. This teaching endorsement provides the foundational elements for educators to create dynamic and supportive spaces where all students can engage and thrive in the learning process.

Get Started

Learn more about Endorsement requirements and offerings.

Apply for Endorsement

Complete your required documentation.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify appropriate methods for collecting student feedback throughout the course and develop responsive strategies that align with instructional goals and student needs.
  • Apply strategies for accessibility and principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to proactively address barriers and create learning environments that support all learners.
  • Evaluate and apply strategies that foster intellectual diversity and academic freedom, while reflecting on their own teaching values to promote respectful classroom dialogue across disciplines.
  • Implement evidence-based teaching strategies that foster student academic belonging through supportive and developmentally responsive practices.
  • Design and implement transparent teaching practices (e.g., assignment design, assessment use, and active learning strategies) that enhance student motivation and engagement.

 

Participation Requirements

Participants must complete requirements in the following two components:

  • Core Programming: complete the designated core workshop for each of the following categories:
    • Civility & Intellectual Diversity
    • Universal Design for Learning/Accessibility
    • Transparency & Communication
    • Feedback & Response
    • Student Academic Belonging
  • Elective Programming: complete two workshops or experiences from the provided list

Details of programming offerings can be found in the “Program Elements” section below.

 

Verification

The final teaching endorsement application will require you to upload the following:

  • BuckeyeLearn certificates for each workshop you attended
  • Confirmation/documentation for electives not tracked in BuckeyeLearn if applicable (e.g. Individual Instructional Consultation, MCFI, SGID)

View instructions to access BuckeyeLearn certificates here.

 

Program Elements

REQUIREMENT

Experiences

Workshops are offered on a rotating basis.  Check our Workshops and Events page to see what's offered each semester.

COREComplete All
 
  • Collecting Student Feedback to Improve Instruction
  • Introduction to Universal Design for Learning  -OR-  Making Your Course Accessible to All Learners (Asynchronous Online Training)
  • SB 1 in Practice: Teaching Strategies that Foster Intellectual Diversity
  • Strategies to Foster Student Academic Belonging and Growth Culture
  • Strategies for Transparency in Teaching
ELECTIVESChoose 2 workshops or experiences from list below
 

Workshops:

  • An Introduction to Evidence-Based Active Learning
  • From Debate to Dialogue (counts as two)
  • Introduction to Teaching New First Year Students
  • Teaching the Second Year Student: What Should We Be Thinking About?
  • Trauma-Informed Teaching
  • Transparency in Learning and Teaching: Tilting Assignments Toward Student Achievement
  • Working with Neurodivergent Students

Programs and Services:

GTA Toolkits (available to Graduate Teaching Associates only):

  • Accessibility and Flexibility for Universal Learning
  • Assignment and Assessment Design for Universal Learning
  • Classroom Guidelines
  • Engaging in Difficult Conversations Across Teaching Contexts
  • Fostering Student Engagement with Universal Design for Learning
  • Unlocking the Hidden Curriculum 

 

 

 

 

 

Get Started

Learn more about Endorsement requirements and offerings.

Apply for Endorsement

Complete your required documentation.