Simple Syllabus updates, resources

As part of efforts toward continuous improvement, the Purdue Simple Syllabus implementation team serving the Indianapolis and West Lafayette locations have introduced a few updates: 

• Beginning in September, instructors and students will see the full course title in their syllabi posted via the tool in Brightspace. This change is automatic – requiring no action by the instructor-of-record — because of an update completed by Purdue Information Technology. Previously, a character limit in the system abbreviated some course titles. This change will also appear in posted public-facing syllabi viewable by anyone at the Purdue University – Simple Syllabus repository. 

• The Purdue Syllabus Guidelines webpage has been updated to include quick links to general FAQs about Simple Syllabus. Its companion Purdue Simple Syllabus template tips & examples  webpage now includes quick links and a downloadable Word version of the Fall 2026 template as a what-you-see-is-what-you-get quick reference. 

• Drop-in consultations continue to be available on Simple Syllabus as instructors and departments plan for future semesters. See technical guidance, an instructor guide, and workshop recording on the Simple Syllabus – Innovative Learning. Reach out to innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu with questions and to provide feedback. 

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Instructors invited to weekly online Pedagogy Circles: Building Fun in Education

The Center for Instructional Excellence (CIE) invites all Purdue instructors to join weekly Pedagogy Circles, informal one-hour online discussions led by Purdue’s Student Pedagogy Advocates (SPAs). The Pedagogy Circles take place every Friday, 11 a.m.-12 noon via Zoom, and run from Sept. 18 to Nov. 20.

Each session of Pedagogy Circles will feature topics for conversation from students, instructor, and staff perspectives. Discussions during Fall 2026 center around topics related to Building Fun in Education.

Please complete this short Qualtrics survey to join the conversations this semester. You will receive email updates on topics and summaries of the discussions. Questions may be emailed to Emma Calahan at ejcallah@purdue.edu. 

CIE’s SPA program matches instructors with undergraduate students interested in enhancing teaching and learning at Purdue. SPAs serve as a catalyst, helping instructors think through potential class structures and activities, observing and reporting back on the class to the instructor, and supporting communication between instructors and students enrolled in the course. Email Dan Guberman at dguberma@purdue.edu for more information. 

CIE is a member of Innovative Learning, Purdue’s hub approach to connect instructors to the resources they need to engage students, develop courses in any instructional modality and enhance learning across the University. Other members include Libraries and the School of Information Studies and Purdue University Online. To learn more, visit www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning or email InnovativeLearningTeam@purdue.edu. 

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New knowledge base launch for developing asynchronous online courses

You have been asked to design a hybrid or online course, but now what? The process can feel overwhelming and time consuming, especially when the path forward isn’t clear. A new online hub and asynchronous course created by Purdue University Online will bridge that gap. It offers a convenient one-stop shop for resources — including best practices, articles, step-by-step guides, and a course for those new to online teaching — to help instructors in their journey of becoming confident and effective educators.

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