Guest Speakers

 I've had a lot of success working with librarians to create assignments and having them facilitate class sessions related to research in my courses. 

---

 4.4 GUEST SPEAKERS

 

CSUN provides a variety of resources for guest speakers, experts, and supportive instruction.

 

Library Instruction Sessions

If you assign a research project that calls for outside sources, consider scheduling a library instruction session. Librarians can work with you to create sessions that will better prepare your students to conduct research, use library resources, and think critically about information. You can contact your library subject specialist directly or fill out the library instruction request form to indicate your date/time preferences for having a librarian provide a customized library instruction session. Typically, these sessions are held in the library’s instruction labs; however, sessions can also take place in your classroom or via Zoom. Your subject specialist will tailor the library session to your course assignment(s), help set student learning outcomes, and/or can help determine an effective assignment or activity for the session. Please be prepared to share information about course assignments and/or the course syllabus to assist the librarian in developing your library instruction session(s).

For more information about requesting an instructional session from the CSUN University Library or planning course assignments, please consult the Library Instruction Support webpage.

 

Learning Resource Center 

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides our diverse student population with free resources and opportunities to achieve academic success.  The LRC offers in-person and online assistance through workshops, individual and small group collaboration, and Supplemental Instruction to support, supplement and enrich the University’s curriculum. 

Writing Support 

At the University Writing Center, we believe that supporting our students includes supporting our faculty! In addition to providing writing tutoring to students, we provide special services that assist faculty. For example, you can request a writing workshop from one of our faculty writing consultants on skills you are addressing in your course. Or if you’re planning a class activity that requires hands-on instruction, you can utilize our “borrow a tutor” service to get some extra support in the classroom. We also encourage you to submit Links to an external site. your prompts, syllabi, etc. to receive feedback from our team of consultants. For more information on writing support services for CSUN faculty, please visit our Faculty Resources page or email us at onlinelrc@csun.edu.

SMART Lab 

The Science, Math, and Related Topics (SMART) Lab offers academic support in accounting, biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, physics, psychology, statistics, and many other subjects. Our tutors are accomplished undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of university disciplines who are available to assist students on an appointment or drop-in basis. 

Both the Writing Center and SMART Lab assist students in person and/or virtually.  To make an appointment through EAB Navigate and access other valuable information, please visit our website.  Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Supplemental Instruction (SI) 

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an internationally recognized academic support program designed to help students succeed in traditionally difficult courses. SI sessions are interactive, group study sessions led by peers (SI Leaders) who have passed the target course and have a good understanding of the material. SI leaders are trained in active learning techniques and are CRLA (Level I) certified peer educators. In these collaborative active learning sessions, students team up with peer facilitators to tackle tough concepts, ask questions, and develop effective learning strategies that support their academic success.

At CSUN, SI is offered through University 60, a 1-unit credit course linked to select high-impact classes such as Approaches to University Writing and Mathematics. Students who enroll in SI benefit from additional time to reinforce difficult material and boost their confidence in the subject.

Peer Education 

University Counseling Services oversees several peer education programs, and can provide your class with several of our CSUN student peer educators who can speak with your class on a variety of important topics. The Blues Project provides presentations on depression and suicide prevention, Project DATE provides presentations on sexual assault awareness, rape prevention and bystander intervention, and JADE (Joint Advocates on Disordered Eating) provides presentations on eating disorders awareness and body neutrality. You can fill out an online form to request a classroom presentation from any of these groups.

Career Center

The Career Center offers curriculum support to plan career-related lessons that will assist your students with making decisions, conducting research, and achieving their academic and career goals in a challenging job market.  If you have any assignments related to career planning, resume writing, personal branding, searching for jobs, identifying strengths or even how to navigate a job interview, seriously consider partnering with the Career Center; they have fabulous resources that allow you to avoid reinventing the wheel.
To request a virtual or in-person presentation by a career counselor or peer educator or to find sample career assignments, you can visit the Faculty portion of their website or email first.career@csun.edu.

Now you have your SLOs, assessments, course materials, and guests organized—it is time to write your syllabus and ensure it meets all the CSUN syllabus policies.