Teaching Commons @ CSAM Launches with Innovative Workshop on Assignment Design

The College of Science and Mathematics has launched a new faculty development initiative, Teaching Commons @ CSAM – Hosted by PRISM, with an energizing first workshop focused on reimagining class assignments for impact and equity.

The CSAM Class Assignment Revision (CAR) Workshop, facilitated by Dr. Elliot Hu-Au (School of Computing) and Dr. Nina Bailey (Department of Mathematics), brought faculty and instructional staff from across the College together to reflect on their teaching practices and redesign assignments through the lenses of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Principles for Effective and Equitable Teaching in Undergraduate STEM.

The workshop blended theory and practice. Participants explored how assignments can move beyond passive information transfer and instead foster active engagement, learner agency, and a sense of belonging. Faculty reviewed example projects, including a human-centered design project in computing and a TikTok-style math project on fractions, to see how creative, student-centered tasks can increase motivation and achievement. They then applied UDL and NASEM frameworks to their own assignments, revising course activities to become more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to student needs.

Faculty who attended expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn with peers. Many indicated plans to try strategies such as “reflect and revise” activities, alternate grading models, and clearer communication of course goals and expectations. Requests for future sessions included dedicated workshops on un-grading, alternate assessment approaches, and the use of AI in teaching and learning.

Teaching Commons @ CSAM marks a new chapter for PRISM (Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics), which has long been recognized for supporting K-12 teachers across New Jersey. With this initiative, PRISM is expanding its reach to include CSAM’s own faculty and instructional staff, while continuing to serve K-12 educators and pre-service students preparing for teacher certification in science and mathematics.

The CAR Workshop is the first in a monthly series that will continue throughout the academic year, each session focusing on a different dimension of teaching and learning. Upcoming workshops will address topics such as fostering identity and belonging, meaningful approaches to assessment and grading, and data-informed instructional practices aligned with new Faculty Roles and Expectations for teaching at Montclair State University.

By creating space for faculty to share ideas, experiment with innovative strategies, and build community, Teaching Commons @ CSAM – Hosted by PRISM is setting the stage for a new culture of teaching excellence that will ripple outward, benefiting Montclair students today and the future STEM educators we train here.