The  Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation is an annual award sponsored by the Office of the Provost that is given to USC's most exceptional faculty who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to best teaching practices and an ongoing record of developing innovative strategies to enhance student learning in their courses.  Congratulations to Dr. Eilea Knotts, who was just awarded the 2025 Garnet Apple Award!

Eilea Knotts’ teaching reflects an innovative and student-centered approach grounded in inquiry-based learning, collaborative pedagogy, and Universal Design for Learning. Drawing on cognitive load theory and humanistic learning principles, Eilea creates inclusive, feedback-rich environments that foster critical thinking, metacognition, and resilience. Her redesign of courses such as BIOL 102 and BIOL/MSCI 575 features case-based instruction, group learning, and experiential assessments that mirror real-world scientific inquiry. One of her key innovations is the implementation of specification grading, which shifts focus from traditional scores to mastery and improvement. Students receive detailed feedback, opportunities to revise, and clear markers of proficiency, encouraging ownership of their learning. Assignments like Journal Figure Critiques, Exam Improvement reflections, and Scientific Assignments build essential skills in communication, data analysis, and self-assessment. Through structured flexibility, intentional course design, and responsiveness to student feedback, Knotts supports students in developing confidence, curiosity, and the ability to apply their learning in meaningful ways.