Yale Center for Teaching and Learning

Strategic Resources & Digital Publications

A sign on campus welcomes visitors to Yale

New to Teaching at Yale

An introduction to Yale resources and opportunities for faculty instructors teaching at Yale for the first time.

Syllabus Design

As the first form of interaction betweeen students and instructor, the syllabus is a critical piece of communication that warrants thoughtful design. Research indicates that more engaging, student-centered syllabi have a positive impact on student perceptions of a course and motivation to engage with the instructor.

Sharing Resources with Students

Academic Integrity Statements

Course Introduction Videos

Yale instructors are increasingly using brief course introduction videos to introduce students to their course content, learning goals and teaching approaches. Many students find these videos useful while searching for courses during open enrollment. You may consider including a video in your syllabus or on your Canvas course site.
Professor Bruce Gordon records a lecture in the Yale Broadcast Studio

Course Planning

Learn about strategies for course design, including writing learning goals and organizing your course content
Two women work on a table in a classroom at Yale's CTL

Managing the Classroom

Strategies for creating an inclusive and productive learning environment

Office Hours

Office hours are an important part of students’ learning experience. Instructors can use the information on this page to plan and schedule office hours, and to communicate that information to students in the syllabus.
James Rolf teaches a class of students at Yale

Strategies for Teaching

Research-supported methods for teaching in the college classroom
Professor Newhouse uses digital screens in the TEAL classroom to enhance his class

Instructional Tools

Tools for supporting student learning in and out of the classroom

Values Statements

A values statement is a paragraph or section in institutional, department, or course language that welcomes the range of student identities, experiences, and perspectives that students bring to the learning experience. The values statement signals belief that all students belong, have value, and bring unique perspectives worthy of consideration.
Students walking on Cross Campus near the Memorial Quadrangle Gate during autumn with bright leaves on the trees.

Accessible Teaching

Accessible and inclusive teaching assumes that student diversity is the rule, rather than an exception.
Two students discuss an assignment in class at Yale

How Students Learn

Research supporting the multiple ways in which students learn
Helen Caines helping a student learn in TEAL classroom

Feedback on Student Learning

Strategies and tools for supporting student learning in the classroom

Feedback on Teaching

Strategies and tools for gathering feedback on teaching efforts
Three students work on an Engineering Project, two female and one male

Diversity and Inclusion

Resources and strategies for understanding diversity and creating inclusive classrooms
A stained glass window from Linsly-Chitenden Hall designed by Tiffany and Co, this window depicts science and religion in harmony

Teaching Resources for Disciplines and Professional Schools

Educational resources specific to disciplines and professional schools
The exterior of Linsly Chitenden Hall, the iconic classroom building on Yale's old campus

Resources at Yale

Additional teaching and learning resources for instructors

Program Assessment

Approaches for conducting research into program needs, structure, and outcomes.

Teaching Online at Yale

The Poorvu Center enacts a centralized digital education strategy for the University, one that includes: massive open online courses, blended degree programs, and online certificates.
Instructor and students in seminar room

WR Instructor Resources

Advice on how to propose WR courses, design assignments, comment more effectively, and many other elements of teaching writing.

Teaching with Turnitin

These resources are designed to help faculty use Turnitin to improve student writing. Turnitin has only limited value as a plagiarism detector, and the incidence of plagiarism at Yale is generally quite low.
Nancy Niemi - now Provost at University of Maryland Eastern Shores

“Considering Teaching & Learning” Notes by Dr. Niemi

Archive of the Considering Teaching & Learning email subscription authored by Nancy Niemi, Founding Director of Faculty Teaching Initiatives. Consider some of the most thoughtful research and best practices from the education community.
Dean Marvin Chun teaching in front of a room of students

Teaching Excellence at Yale

Teaching Excellence at Yale, previously distributed to all faculty during the academic year, highlighted teaching practices of individual faculty members from across departments and schools, supplemented with relevant research and resources that are available to instructors through the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning.

Poorvu Family Fund for Academic Innovation Showcase

The Yale Poorvu Family Fund for Academic Innovation, administered by the Yale College Dean's Office, honors outstanding junior faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching in undergraduate programs.