Center for Advancing Teaching Excellence
The Center for Advancing Teaching Excellence (CATE) champions student-centered teaching and learning at the Moody College of Communication.
We work with faculty, instructors, and graduate students to support course design and develop teaching expertise. By fostering innovative and collaborative teaching practices, CATE aims to ensure Moody College students experience authentic and memorable learning to prepare for success in life and career.
Why PBL?
A cohort of five Moody College faculty members explored the why of project-based learning design and implementation as an effective approach for authentic, discipline-specific curriculum development.
The culmination of their year-long journeys from training and course planning through instruction and reflection are showcased in this collection. We hope each unique adoption of project-based learning
design principles across a variety of courses and teaching personalities inspires you! What might PBL look like in your courses to promote authentic learning experiences and increase student motivation?
Featured Announcements
Insights from Texas Teach-Up 2025
Missed the 2025 Texas Teach-Up? CATE has highlights from Moody College courses! Check it out now for inspiration to spark new ideas you can utilize in your classroom!
AI Across Moody
Curious about using GenAI in your course? Check out CATE's new feature, AI Across Moody, to get inspiration from Moody instructors' various approaches to teaching and learning with AI!
Image credit: Dr. Jun Wang, 2025
NEW Active Discussion Guidelines!
New guidelines for 4 "A"s Discussions have been added to the CATE Active Teaching tab. Check them out to foster critical thinking and add a fun new layer of engagement for your students!
Important Resources for Teaching
Click here for resources to support effective teaching at Moody College!
CATE has complied this reference document with links to essential teaching resources for new and returning faculty. Access and bookmark this in your browser for handy reference when designing a new course, at the beginning of new semesters, or throughout an on-going semester. Updates are made periodically, so check back often to refresh your memory and stay up-to-date with the instructional practices that make Moody College an excellent place to learn!
Connect with CATE
Please email our Coordinator for Teaching Excellence, Rachelle (Shelly) Furness, with questions, to request a training, or to make a consulting appointment! rachelle.furness@austin.utexas.edu
If you're not finding everything you need on the CATE website, please schedule a CATE consultation for personal and direct assistance. You can also check out The Center for Teaching and Learning or UT Austin's Faculty Central hub for teaching guidance, as well as information on important topics for faculty members, such as campus facilities and employee resources.