CTL Resources for Faculty

The Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Cycle serves as a continuous framework for improving student learning and promoting academic excellence at Delaware State University. Supported by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), this cyclical process helps faculty intentionally design learning experiences, assess student achievement, evaluate results, and implement data-informed improvements that enhance teaching effectiveness and student success.

Grounded in evidence-based practice and aligned with the CTL’s commitment to continuous improvement, the cycle guides instructors through five interconnected stages: Learning Outcomes, Learning Opportunities, Assessment, Evaluation, and Recommendations. Together, these steps create a systematic approach to ensuring that teaching practices, course design, and assessments remain aligned with student needs and institutional goals.

By engaging in this ongoing process, faculty can strengthen student learning outcomes, refine instructional strategies, and foster a culture of excellence across all teaching modalities

The use of OER can increase access to higher education, make higher education more affordable, and increase student success.    

Open Educational Resources (OER) are high-quality teaching and learning resources that are free to use and repurpose.  They can be legally copied, shared, and distributed at little to no cost.  These resources can be modified, including adding or removing text and content.  These resources come in the form of images, videos, textbooks, PowerPoints, databases, etc. are easily integrated into your courses as they can be customized to your course.  OERs are created by a faculty member, a subject-matter expert, or a team to increase access to higher education and increase student success as it affords education recourses to be available to students at a free or at a reduced cost.  They are written and reviewed by experts and their quality is comparable to traditional textbooks and they are covered under the Creative Commons License.

The five R’s to OER are:

1. Retain - make, own, and control a copy of the resource (e.g., download and keep your own copy)
2. Revise - edit, adapt, and modify your copy of the resource (e.g., translate into another language)
3. Remix - combine your original or revised copy of the resource with other existing material to create something new (e.g., make a mashup)
4. Reuse - use your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource publicly (e.g., on a website, in a presentation, in a class)
5. Redistribute - share copies of your original, revised, or remixed copy of the resource with others (e.g., post a copy online or give one to a friend)

Here is some additional information about OER Licensing.

Finding OERs is not difficult; here is a list of a few sources. 

Here is everything you need to know about open textbooks. 

You can find out more about OER at Delaware State University here.

The Center for Teaching & Learning has awarded several OER Incentive Grants to faculty who successfully adopted OER.

Please be on the lookout for future OER incentives from the Center for Teaching and Learning. 

Welcome to Delaware State University! The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is excited to support new faculty, adjunct instructors, and teaching assistants as they begin their journey at DSU.

CTL hosts New Faculty Orientation in August and December, providing an opportunity to connect with colleagues, learn about university resources, and gain the tools and information needed for a successful transition into the DSU community. Check CTL News & Events for upcoming dates.

As your partner in teaching excellence, CTL is committed to supporting your professional growth through faculty development, instructional resources, and ongoing guidance. We look forward to helping you thrive as an educator while fostering student success and academic excellence across the University.

Resources for New Faculty

• 10 Effective Classroom Management Techniques Every Faculty Member Should Know
• 11 Strategies for Getting Students to Read What’s Assigned
• 5 Things to Do on the First Day of Class
• Building Student Engagement: 15 Strategies for the College Classroom
• Helping New Faculty Thrive
• Philosophy of Teaching Statements
• Teaching Mistakes from the College Classroom
• Tips for Encouraging Student Participation in Classroom Discussions