In any type of course it is important for students to get frequent feedback on how they are doing. Are they learning what they are supposed to be learning? Are […]
The Teaching + Learning Team
We are writers, thinkers, teachers, learners, storytellers, librarians, technologists, questioners, readers, podcasters, statisticians, planners, contributors to others’ positivity and joy, and people made in the image of God.
Align and Establish Assessments
Alignment between assessments and desired learning outcomes is foundational if your assessments are to be valid. Just like in a research study where you want to make sure that your […]
Develop or Revisit Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes guide your course design. They are the destinations on your course map. Once you know where you’re going, the other questions, “How will I know when students got there?” […]
An Approachable Syllabus Writing Style
A syllabus serves many functions in a class. In The Course Syllabus: A Learning Centered Approach (2008, 2nd Ed.) Judith Grunert O’Brien, Barbara J. Millis and Margaret W. Cohen identify at least […]
The Purpose and Structure of a Syllabus
A syllabus is both a map of your course and an agreement between you and your students. It’s a resource that you will likely refer students to throughout the course. […]
Connect Learning Outcomes and Backward Design
Compare Learning Outcome Models Wiggins and McTighe’s (2005) backward design model “Understanding by Design” also includes a taxonomy that integrates cognitive, affective, and metacognitive components. Their Facets of Understanding are also non-hierarchical and indicate […]
Communicating Your Plan and Intentions
For a student, the beginning of a new semester can be both exciting to start fresh and frightening to not know what you’re getting yourself into. Students can be overwhelmed going into […]
Structure Your Course
If you’re to the putting it together stage we’re going to presume you already have the following: Clear and measurable learning outcomes Assessments that can show to what extent your students have met the […]
Explore Backward Design
Backward design is a very useful model for designing courses for face-to-face, hybrid. or online settings. Wiggins and McTighe, in their book Understanding by Design (2nd Ed., 2005), describe the three […]
Design for Accessibility
In the context of your courses, accessibility means making it possible for all students, regardless of physical or developmental impairment, to use all course materials and tools. A course is […]