People collaborating at a table with laptops

Get Started with the ACUE Learning Lab Today!

What is the ACUE Learning Lab? USC Upstate's year-long partnership with the ACUE Learning Lab provides faculty with access to 11 evidence-based Quick Study Courses, offering best-practice guidance to enhance student success and engagement. What are Quick Study Courses? Quick Study Courses are comprised of short, effective videos and implementation guides collaboratively developed with subject-matter … Continue reading Get Started with the ACUE Learning Lab Today!

image shows breakdown of grades and unsubmitted work, incomplete work, absences, and drafts.

Contract Grading Increases Student Engagement and Reduces Anxiety

Have you ever had a student approach you and ask, “Dr. Reeves, what do I need to do to get an A in your course?” I have. I often suggest reviewing the syllabus and the percentage points associated with each grade category. I suggest reviewing the rubrics, planning ahead for upcoming due dates, and working … Continue reading Contract Grading Increases Student Engagement and Reduces Anxiety

Professor and student collaborating at a white board.

Motivation After the Midterm

When students feel motivated to learn (University of Buffalo, UW-Whitewater, Kennesaw State), we’re likely to see increases in effort, energy, curiosity, and creativity. We might notice they come to class more, are better prepared, and generally seem open to tackling challenging content or leading a group project. Sometimes, though, even the most motivated students can … Continue reading Motivation After the Midterm

Active Learning Leads to Student Success

Ten years ago, USC Upstate launched its first Active Learning Institute and installed its first active learning classrooms with support from a Title III federal grant. Today, we have 11 state-of-the-art, flexible classrooms in 6 buildings and 100s of enrollments in active learning classes each year. The results of this 10-year effort are impressive. Over … Continue reading Active Learning Leads to Student Success

This image shows the two libguide options that show up in content market place.

LibGuides are Now Linked to Blackboard Ultra

If you've been looking for ways to encourage students to know about and to use the well-designed and impeccably curated content from the Library, look no further. There are several new features in Blackboard Ultra that will bring library resources right to your course. To insert LibGuides, database searches, or the Plagiarism Course, log into … Continue reading LibGuides are Now Linked to Blackboard Ultra

accessibility symbols for hearing, vision, audio, physical, etc.

Responding to Ally Accessibility Scores in Your Courses

The USC Upstate Accessibility Commitment aims to ensure students, faculty, and staff have access to all spaces and materials where learning takes place. Luckily, Blackboard Ultra has made faculty's role in fulling this commitment easier than ever. The university-adopted quality assurance program holds all courses to a high standard of accessibility, including expectations that all … Continue reading Responding to Ally Accessibility Scores in Your Courses