The following resources from the Transparency in Learning and Teaching project (TILT Higher Ed) can help faculty, educational developers and administrators to apply the Transparency Framework (of purpose/task/criteria) in contexts including assignments, curricula, assessment and strategic initiatives, all toward the goal of enhancing student success equitably. If you have developed TILT-focused tools or publications you would like to share, please contact wink@tilthighered.com.
TILT Higher Ed Examples and Resources
Introduction to Transparency in Learning and Teaching
- Transparency and Problem-centered Learning (7-minute overview)
- Transparent Instruction and Its Impact on Learning, University of Tokyo TV (45 minutes)
- Transparency Framework for academic work
- Unwritten Rules for College Success, 39 second video
- Transparency Framework 1) Purpose, 44 second video
- Transparency Framework 2) Task, 25 second video
- Transparency Framework 3) Criteria, 24 second video
- Transparent Methods
- Introduction to Transparency in Learning and Teaching (6 pages)
Talking about TILT: Video and Podcast Interviews
- Kane, J., & Mushtare, R. (Hosts). (2023, May 24). Transparency in learning and teaching (No. 290) [Audio podcast episode]. In Tea for Teaching. https://teaforteaching.com/290-transparency-in-learning-and-teaching/
- Bruff, D. (Host). (2023, January 10). Transparent teaching with Mary-Ann Winkelmes (No. 5) [Audio podcast episode]. In Intentional Teaching. https://intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com/2069949/episodes/11997464-transparent-teaching-with-mary-ann-winkelmes
- Nave, L. (Host). (2021, December 9). Transparent design with Mary-Ann Winkelmes (No. 76) [Audio podcast episode]. In Think UDL [Universal Design for Learning]. https://thinkudl.org/episodes/transparent-design-with-mary-ann-winklemes
- Watson, F. (Host). (2019). Designing transparent & equitable assignments to increase student success (No. 32) [Video podcast episode]. In This Works for Me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAkWUiREkHY&list=PLpqgMVhvoDOEx5yc1wkAVtFUWdIoEwheh&index=32
- Cooksey, A. (Host). (2017, August 22). Great conversations: Mary-Ann Winkelmes. Great Conversations Series. Indiana University. https://app.teaching.iu.edu/stories/great-conversations-mary-ann-winkelmes
- Instructors at Texas Tech University discuss the design process and impacts of transparent assignments in their courses: Transparent Assignment Design at Texas Tech: A Panel Discussion, 13th Annual Advancing Teaching and Learning Conference, Texas Tech University, March 3, 2017. https://mediacast.ttu.edu/Mediasite/Play/6f62fa824756460d90d3a77e0592b4121d
- Winkelmes, M.A. (2016, December). Small teaching changes, big learning benefits. ACUE Community 'Q' Blog, Expert Series. https://acue.org/blog/small-teaching-changes-big-learning-benefits/
- Head, A. & Hostetler, K. (2015, September 2). Mary-Ann Winkelmes: Transparency in teaching and learning (No. 25) [Email interview]. In Project Information Literacy, Smart Talk Interviews. https://projectinfolit.org/smart-talk-interviews/transparency-in-teaching-and-learning/
- Winkelmes, M.A. (2016, December). Small teaching changes, big learning benefits. ACUE Community 'Q' Blog, Expert Series. https://acue.org/blog/small-teaching-changes-big-learning-benefits/
Example Assignment Prompts (more and less transparent)
Authors of Examples A-D describe the outcomes of their assignment revisions
Discussion Questions (about Examples A-E)
Example F: Library research Assignment
Example G: Criminal Justice In-Class activity
Example H: Criminal Justice Assignment
Example I: Political Science Assignment
Example J: Criteria for Math Writing
Example K - Environmental History
Example N: Building Support & Community
Example O: Geographical Info Systems
Example P: Kinesiology Postural Distortion and discussion
Example Q: Data Visualizations
Example R: Peer Reviewed Nursing Articles
Example T: Library Instruction on Sources (asynchronous)
Frequently Asked Questions
Transparency Frameworks
Tools for Teachers
- Transparent Assignment Design Template for Teachers
- Checklist for Designing Transparent Assignments
- Measuring Transparency: A Learning-focused Assignment Rubric (Palmer, M., Gravett, E., LaFleur, J.)
- Assignment Cues to use when designing an assignment (adapted from Bloom's Taxonomy) for faculty
- Transparent Equitable Learning Readiness Assessment for Teachers
- Transparent Assignment Template for students
- Transparent Equitable Learning Framework for Students (to frame a conversation with students about how to make the purposes, tasks and criteria for class activities transparent and relevant for them)
- TILTed NILOA Assignment Design Charrette Feedback Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions
Tools for Administrators and Staff
Workshop Videos and Materials
Impact
Hundreds of publications by educators and advisors on six continents have emerged in the last decade to explain how TILT practices can enhance institutional and instructional efficacy and student achievement. These include books, special journal issues, curated collections, peer-reviewed articles, interviews, videos, blogs, podcasts, and educational materials like assignments and syllabi (listed on the TILT Examples & Resources webpage).
For institutions, results can include increased student retention and completion rates, efficiency of strategic planning, collaboration among instructors and student-facing staff, and more transparent communication with stakeholders within and outside the institution.
For teachers, benefits include greater instructional efficacy, increased satisfaction, improved communication with students, increased engagement by students in class activities, and more time-efficient grading and feedback on students' work.
Students will benefit from increased confidence, belonging, persistence, skills, performance, and metacognitive awareness of skill development (Winkelmes, 2013; Winkelmes, 2015; Winkelmes et al., 2015; Winkelmes et al., 2016; Gianoutsos and Winkelmes, 2016; Calkins and Winkelmes, 2018; Winkelmes et al., 2019; 2023).
Support
- To bring a Transparency Project workshop to your institution, please contact Mary-Ann Winkelmes at wink@tilthighered.com
- Frequently asked questions
- TILT Higher Ed Examples and Resources
- Transparent Methods: Examples
Publications
The growing scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) that focuses on transparency in learning and teaching (TILT) comprises peer-reviewed publications by authors on six continents. To add your scholarly publications about TILT to this growing bibliography, please contact Mary-Ann Winkelmes at wink@tilthighered.com.
Downloadable Bibliography of TILT-focused Peer-reviewed Publications
News
- Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. (2023, February 13). Q&A with Mary-Ann Winkelmes: Transparency in Learning and Teaching.
- Stoeckle, A. (2022, April 27). TILT 2.0: How to Convey Your Expectations of a Class Assignment Effectively. Faculty Focus.
- Bose, D., Dalrymple, S., & Shadle, S., Dalrymple, Shadle. (2020, May 13). A Renewed Case for Student Success: Using Transparency in Assignment Design When Teaching Remotely. Faculty Focus.
- Ryjova, Yana. What is the Transparency in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Project (TILT Higher Ed)? Interview with Dr. Mary-Ann Winkelmes." Hixson-Lied Success Scholar Newsletter. Las Vegas: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Academic Success Center, March 2016.
- Sodoma, Brian. Forget the What: It's the How and Why That Matters." UNLV News Center, January 21, 2016.
- Summers, Keyonna. “Newsmakers 2015: People.” UNLV News Center, January 7, 2016.
- Berrett, Dan.“The Unwritten Rules of College.” Chronicle of Higher Education, September 21, 2015.
- Adolfo Guzman-Lopez,“Researchers say as college demographics change, so must teaching.” 89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio. March 13, 2015.
- “Transparency and Problem-Centered Learning.” Association of American Colleges and Universities website, retrieved November 5, 2014.
- “Mary-Ann Winkelmes and UNLV's Transparency in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Project.” Accomplishments, UNLV News Center, September 2014.
- “New Project Will Engage Minority-Serving Institutions to Research Effect of Faculty Intentionality in Problem-Centered Educational Practices on the Success of Students Who Have Historically Been Underserved in Higher Education.” Association of American Colleges & Universities press release, August 4, 2014.
- “UNLV Partners with AAC&U to Lead National Project to Improve Under-Represented Students' Success.” UNLV Research and Economic Development press release. August 7, 2014.
Awards
- Mellon grant in partnership with Berea College (2017-2021)
- Robert J. Menges Award for Outstanding Research in Educational Development, 2012, from Professional Organizational Development Network in Higher Education
- TG Philanthropy grant in partnership with Association of American Colleges and Universities (2014-2016)
Institutional Review Board Documentation
University of Illinois
- Application to Institutional Review Board, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Exempt Research Application
- University of Illinois Institutional Review Board Certification of principal investigator
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certification of principal investigator
- Approvals from Institutional Review Board, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Approvals from Institutional Review Board, University of Nevada, Las Vegas:
- August 23, 2013 Application for Exempt Status and Approval
- November 2014 Modification request, Updated exempt application, Approval
- September 2015 Modification Request and October 13, 2015 Approval
- December 2015 Modification Request and Approval
- July 12 2016 Modification Request and Approval
- July 28, 2016 Modification Request and Approval
- July 28, 2016 Continuing Review Approval
- August 2016 Modification Request and September 1, 2016 Approval
- October 27, 2016 Modification Request and Approval
- March 20, 2017 Modification Request and Approval
- September 2017 Modification Request and Approval
- October 2017 Modification Request and Approval
- February 2018 Modification Request and Approval
- October 2018 Modification Request and Approval
- Principal Investigator's 2013-2018 Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certification
- Principal Investigator's 2018-2023 Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certification