Introduction to Course Design Series

A four-part series focused on the theory and practice of designing courses for enhancing student learning.

Learning Goals

Session I: Establishing Learning Goals

This interactive workshop will include a guided discussion about creating well-defined learning goals and using these goals to begin the process of course design. Workshop participants will have ample time to apply the ideas presented in the workshop to draft well thought out learning goals.

After successfully completing this workshop you will be able to:

• Develop well-defined goals for your course
• Identify factors that influence the learning experience

Session II: Assessment and Exam Design

This workshop will primarily consist of a guided discussion about assessment and exam design and tips for creating them with course learning goals and objectives in mind. Time will be allotted during the workshop for participants to develop an assessment or exam questions for their course and receive feedback, as well as to work in groups to evaluate and assess whether these match course goals.

After successfully completing this workshop you will be able to:

• Use backward design to develop exams and assessments with learning goals in mind
• Identify whether students are meeting course expectations

Session III: Writing a Syllabus

This workshop outlines the components of a learning-centered syllabus, incorporating the goals and assessment methods from the first “Fundamentals of Course Design” workshop. Participants will begin drafting a syllabus for their course during the workshop and receive feedback from participants and Kaneb Center staff. Individual follow-up sessions can be scheduled with Kaneb staff.

After successfully completing this workshop you will be able to:

• Draft a syllabus for your course

Session IV: Lesson Planning

Once you’ve established the goals, assessments, and broad structure of your course, how do you plan out each class session? This interactive workshop will give an overview of useful techniques for lesson planning, interspersed with opportunities to apply them to a day of your class.

After successfully completing this workshop you will be able to:

• Articulate the best practices for lesson planning at the college level
• Develop a lesson plan for a day of your class