University Teaching in the Digital Age
Making Sense of Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education to Teach with Confidence
By Evan L. Kropp, Ph.D. | First edition | Now available from Cognella
Why teaching preparation matters
Knowing a subject and helping someone else learn it require different skills. Graduate teaching assistants, adjunct instructors, and professionals moving into college teaching can arrive with extensive disciplinary knowledge but limited preparation for designing a course, assessing learning, or supporting students.
University Teaching in the Digital Age addresses that preparation gap. It connects the context of higher education with how students learn and the practical decisions instructors make before, during, and after a course. The aim is to help educators develop both the judgment and confidence needed for thoughtful teaching.
Who the book is for
The book is written primarily for graduate teaching assistants, adjunct instructors, early-career faculty, and professionals entering college teaching. It can also support teaching preparation courses, faculty development programs, mentoring, and experienced instructors revisiting their practice.
What it covers
Topics include institutional context and faculty roles; learning theories and teaching approaches; course design and alignment; assessment and rubrics; accessibility and instructional quality; engagement in in-person, hybrid, and online settings; artificial intelligence and assignment design; common teaching challenges; professional development; and teaching portfolios.
Chapters
- The Evolution of Higher Education in the United States
- The Modern Landscape of Higher Education Institutions in the United States
- Understanding Faculty Roles and Titles in Higher Education
- Modes of Education in the Modern University
- How Students Learn in Higher Education
- Teaching Styles in Higher Education
- Developing Your First Course
- Preparing for Your First College Teaching Assignment
- Navigating Common Challenges in Higher Education Teaching
- Professional Development for Faculty
- Creating a Teaching Portfolio
The book concludes with “Thriving as a Teacher in the Digital Age” and includes a quick reference guide to ten principles for faculty.
Voices from the Field
Contributions from educators connect the book’s ideas to experiences in practice, including the uncertainty, reflection, and adaptation involved in learning to teach. My sincere thanks to Shane Hammond, Marie Barnas, Paula Jones, Nico Rose, Cheryl Oberlin, Lisa Desruisseaux, Brianne Fleming, Deb Adair, Caroline E. Martins, April Hines, Cayce Myers, Tyler Gibson, Tiffany Robbert, Karen Wilkinson, Megan L. Mittelstadt, and Kelly L. Farmer for sharing their experiences.
About the author
Evan L. Kropp, Ph.D., serves as Executive Director of Distance Education at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, where he oversees online undergraduate and graduate programs. His career spans teaching, academic leadership, curriculum development, and online education.
For available editions, current pricing, ordering, and instructor review-copy information, visit the book’s Cognella page.