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Topic: Making college classrooms fair for all studentsWho: University of Houston-Downtown teachers and staffTools Used: Video lessons, fair grading rubrics, free materials, flexible deadlinesGoal: Help teachers find and fix unfair practices in their classroomsSource: UHD Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE)
The University of Houston-Downtown's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) gives instructors practical tools to build fairer, more welcoming classrooms. From short video lessons to equity rubrics and a microcredential program, the resources meet you where you are — whether you are redesigning a course from scratch or making small, meaningful tweaks.
The CTLE offers several layers of support. A subscription to Magna Publications' video library puts hundreds of short, expert-led teaching videos at your fingertips — most run just 20 minutes. Equity rubrics from sources like Peralta, Ease Learning, and Every Learner Everywhere let you audit your own courses against clear standards. A Certificate in Evidence-Based Instruction and Course Design leads to a microcredential in Inclusive Teaching through three focused workshops. The CTLE can also connect you with workshops from OLC (Online Learning Consortium) and Quality Matters, including a course on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in online learning.
Start by picking one strategy that fits where you are right now. You might survey students early in the semester to understand their needs, or revisit your syllabus to soften late-work penalties. Consider swapping a costly textbook for OER (Open Educational Resources), LCT (Low-Cost Textbooks), or ZCT (Zero-Cost Textbooks) so cost never blocks access. You can also look at who is represented in your readings and guest speakers, and build in multiple ways for students to show what they know — not just traditional tests. When you are ready to go deeper, schedule a consultation with the CTLE or enroll in one of the certificate workshops.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
These resources connect naturally to broader conversations about student success, course accessibility, and open educational resources happening across Houston-area campuses. If your institution has a center for teaching excellence or a faculty development office, ask whether similar equity rubrics or video libraries are already available to you.
UHD is both an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and an MSI (Minority Serving Institution), meaning a large share of its students face barriers that traditional classroom design can unintentionally make worse. Equitable teaching practices help every student find a clear path into the learning — and a fair shot at success.
