The Learning and Teaching Nexus
at the New York University School of Professional Studies (SPS) works at the intersection of institutional schooling, workplace and professional advancement, and self-directed learning to explore educational possibilities in the Post-Information Age.
Preparing to Teach a Pre-Designed Model Course
Image credit: Marina M., Pexels, 2026 When I began teaching in 2004, my school provided a pre-designed curriculum that teachers were expected to adapt to meet the needs of diverse learners. My colleague in a nearby school was not given a curriculum, and was tasked with generating daily lessons to meet a set of learning outcomes and standards. The debate between pre-packaged curriculum and designing from scratch is a longstanding debate across all levels of education. Which format is better...
Teaching an Online Asynchronous Course
Image by Mohamed Hassan, Pixabay, 2026 An increasing number of students are earning credentials and degrees in an asynchronous online (NYU login required) format. An asynchronous online course enables learners to access course materials at any time during a specified period (e.g., weekly) while still benefiting from online interactions with the instructor and classmates. For professors, teaching an asynchronous course means helping students learn how to stay connected and engaged digitally....
Nexus Review: What is the NYU Brightspace Gradebook and why should I use it?
Managing student submissions, feedback and grade calculations can be an administrative time sink. The NYU Brightspace Gradebook can streamline these tasks while providing transparency regarding student progress. Key Features Automated Grade Calculation: After setup, the Gradebook can calculate final grades based on your grading scheme. This means that it handles complex weighted percentages across distinct grading categories (e.g. Discussions are worth 15% of the overall grade and there are...