HIED 63403 Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Monday | 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM | 08/18/2025 - 12/04/2025
GRAD 343
General Course Information
Catalog Description
An examination of teaching and learning in colleges and universities
Purpose of the Course
This class will be an exploration of the science and the art of teaching. It is meant to speak to a broad audience from across the university both in terms of subject matter expertise and future career goals. Teaching is happening in classrooms, online, in large lecture halls, offices, labs, meeting rooms, hallways, out in the field, and even walking between buildings. Faculty, staff, and students are in a constant state of learning from each other formally and informally. We will at times think about teaching and learning in terms of deeper concepts and then dive deep into the weeds, but my hope is that whatever your context is that there are ways to apply what we are learning here to your life as a teacher and a learner.
Required Readings
There is no required textbook for this course. All readings will be provided.
Course Assignments and Grading
Attendance and participation
Each student is responsible for joining class on time and prepared to participate.
Missed assignments, make-up policy
Late work will be accepted with a credit deduction of 10% for each day (not class meeting) late. If you are unavailable the day an assignment is due, please email it to me by the due date to ensure full credit. Please see me individually if you have special concerns or circumstances.
Major Assignments: To receive a passing grade for the course, you need to complete all the assignments in a satisfactory manner.
1. Class observation and reflection 15%
2. Teaching presentation 15%
3. Teaching portfolio 40%
4. Class participation 30%
Class Participation and Attendance
All class members are expected to actively participate both individually and in group-based activities. Class time includes a mix of lectures, participation, and discussion work which is designed to be led largely by students participation. Regular and punctual online participation is expected for all classes. Students must be well prepared for each day, having read the text chapter(s) and/or readings assigned and complete all assignments.
Constructive participation in the class discussions, written work, and other activities is expected. Students are expected to
§ contribute interesting, insightful comments
§ present examples of concepts relevant to discussion topics
§ paraphrase and build on comments of others
§ raise good questions
§ listen and respond appropriately to others
Positive participation
The student regularly contributes to class discussion and fully participates in activities, with sensitivity to classmates and value of the equal participation of all. Comments add to the learning experience, are connected to both the readings and the student’s relevant outside experiences. Student reads the text, and is prepared with notations to contribute.
Negative participation
The student contributes to class discussion infrequently or rarely, and/or does not value and respect the contributions of classmates. Comments do not add to the learning being undertaken by the class as a whole. Does not fully participate or contribute to group activities. Comments are not connected to the readings and isolated to outside experiences only. Student does not read the text, and is not prepared to contribute.
Grades will be determined on the following basis using a 100 point scale:
A 90-100 C 70-79 F below 65
B 80-89 D 65-69