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Kaneb Center Course Design Academy

 The Kaneb Center Course Design Academy (KCCDA) is a cohort-based professional development program for Notre Dame faculty focused on using evidence-based inclusive teaching principles and strategies to design or redesign a course for Notre Dame undergraduate or graduate students.  The program is open to all ND faculty regardless of rank and will run for an academic year (September – May). Participants engage in monthly 3-hour long working sessions focused on course design principles and practices facilitated by Kaneb Center faculty and staff. Participants also engage in peer classroom observations, consultations with learning designers and specialists, as well as trained student pedagogical consultants to enhance their pedagogical leadership and support them throughout their design/redesign process. Each participant will receive a $5000 contribution to their discretionary account or as additional pay with approval of the department and college for participating in the Academy.

Goals:

Upon successful completion of the Kaneb Center Course Design Academy (KCCDA), you will:

  • Complete a significant course design/redesign project using the backward design process
  • Be prepared to apply and share inclusive pedagogical strategies
  • Extend the reach of your pedagogical leadership in and beyond your department
  • Form a community of other pedagogical leaders across the University

Expectations:

KCCDA participants are expected to:

  • Attend monthly working sessions with KCCDA colleagues and Kaneb Center staff
  • Participate in a teaching observation with a KCCDA colleague
  • Meet for 2 individual consultations with Kaneb Center staff
  • Meet with a trained student pedagogical consultant for classroom observation, syllabus and major class assignment review 
  • Contribute a short written post on an element of their teaching for the Notre Dame Learning website
  • Submit artifacts demonstrating a complete course design/redesign (i.e., complete syllabus and up to 1 associated lesson plan)

Academy Structure/What to Expect?:

Participants work alongside each other to discuss and apply practices and strategies to enhance student learning, create transformative learning experiences, and address challenges associated with teaching and learning. Some of the topics covered include: 

  • Applying backward course design, 
  • Transparent assignment design, 
  • Applying the neuroscience of learning
  • Equitable grading, assessment and feedback

Participants also have an opportunity to suggest topics they are interested in learning more about throughout the academy. 

Tentative Schedule

We will meet once per month on Fridays from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. If you will need to miss more than 2 sessions, we advise enrolling another time.  

FALL                                                                SPRING
September 15th                                     January 19th
October 6th                                              February 16th
November 10th                                       March 22nd
December 8th                                         April 12th
May 10th

Nomination Process:

We accept nominations from Deans or chairs (use this form). Remaining spots may be opened up for self nomination; contact kaneb@nd.edu with inquiries.