Principles of Learning & Teaching Excellence at OHIO

Ohio University conceptualizes teaching excellence using six descriptors. Specifically, we believe excellent teaching at Ohio University is:

  • Well-designed: Excellent teachers plan and prepare well-crafted educational experiences for their students. 
  • Well-delivered: Excellent teachers strive to enthusiastically share meaningful content and learning experiences. 
  • Inclusive: Excellent teachers create welcoming classroom environments where everyone shares a sense of belonging. 
  • Learner-focused: Excellent teachers meet students where they are and provide multiple, varying methods for learning. 
  • Reflective: Excellent teachers think about their own teaching practices in order to consider the overall effectiveness of their instructive approaches. 
  • Evolving: Excellent teachers continuously improve and adapt their teaching to new learning environments and contexts. 

These six descriptors serve as the underlying framework for recognizing and celebrating teaching excellence at Ohio University. The descriptors are measured according to eight criteria, loosely organized into a cycle, that conceptualize teaching excellence: 

  1. Preparation – ability to plan for teaching. 
  1. Engagement – ability to deliver content and manage the student learning process. 
  1. Inclusion – ability to serve the learning needs of all students. 
  1. Subject Expertise – ability to maintain/develop expert subject knowledge. 
  1. Pedagogical Competence – ability to maintain/develop timely knowledge and skills in the theories and practice of teaching and learning. 
  1. Outcomes – ability to achieve desired teaching results. 
  1. Improvement – ability to revise teaching practices. 
  1. Adaptability & Innovation – ability to navigate the evolving nature of teaching. 

All teaching faculty at Ohio University are assessed according to this teaching excellence framework, and GSIs are expected to strive to develop the same acumen. You should seek out and take advantage of opportunities to develop your teaching skills that are provided by your department or program; your college; and the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment.