Top Five Conversations with Instructors
Welcome to the Top Five Conversations with Instructors video series—created to support both new and experienced faculty in navigating the most common and impactful topics that arise when teaching at the university level. These short videos and supporting resources are grounded in real conversations we've had with instructors and offer practical guidance on essential teaching practices. Whether you're designing a new course, helping students engage with challenging material, or simply looking to make your teaching more effective, each strategy focuses on a key idea that can make a meaningful difference.
Conversation #1: Course Design
Explore how intentional course design—through clear outcomes, alignment of assessments, and purposeful learning activities — can promote student engagement and success from day one.
For more in-depth reflection of course design, see the Designing College Courses Video Series.
Be sure to see the following documents that will help guide your work.
Conversation #2: Unpack Your Content with Learners in Mind
Learn how to bridge the gap between expert understanding and novice thinking by organizing and presenting content in ways that support how students learn best.
To learn more about how the knowledge organization of students affects their learning, read Chapter 3 of How Learning Works: Eight Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching available in the OSU Library.
Conversation #3: Teach for Student Learning
Discover practical teaching strategies that go beyond content delivery to actively support student comprehension, retention, and application of course material.
Conversation #4: Don't Be the Hardest-Working Person in the Room
Understand how creating space for student practice and contribution during class helps shift cognitive work to learners—leading to deeper engagement and learning.
Conversation #5: Students Need to Know You Care
Examine how communicating care, approachability, and support can positively influence student motivation, persistence, and overall learning experience.