Preparing to Teach: Center for Teaching and Learning: Indiana University Indianapolis

Literature on Syllabus Design Trends, Strategies, and Tools

This page documents over 40 articles published from 2014 – 2024 focusing on various aspects of syllabus design to promote inclusion and equity.

Learning-Centered and Equity-Minded Syllabus

A syllabus establishes the purpose, nature, and tone of a class. Learn how to get started in creating a syllabus, the components of a syllabus, syllabus design considerations, and how to get students to read the syllabus.

Planning the First Day of Class

The first day of the class sets the tone for the semester. Visit this resource to learn more about setting your objectives for the first day, getting to know your students, introducing content, and ending the class session.

Using Ice Breakers

Planned ice breaker activities can help students and instructors get acquainted and establish classroom community. Check out the individual or paired activities, small group activities, and whole class activities in this resource to find one that you would like to try with your students.

Writing and Assessing Student Learning Outcomes

View this resource to learn more about the characteristics of well-written student learning outcome statements, see examples of how to strengthen learning outcomes, and consider how to assess learning outcomes directly or indirectly.

Planning a Learning Session

Solid lesson plans can help you engage students and help them attain the lesson's desired learning outcomes. Learn how to focus your lesson planning, what to include in a lesson plan, different ways to structure a lesson, how to build in assessment of what students are learning, and more. Example lesson plans and approaches are included.

Preparing to Teach