Are you (re)designing a course for next term or next academic year? This workshop will introduce the backwards course design model and guide you through how to design or redesign a course. We will focus on three iterative processes: first, defining clear Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) that encompass the knowledge and skills that are necessary for conceptual understanding, second, identifying meaningful assessments that measure our CLOs and SLOs, and third, aligning engaging pedagogical strategies to guide our students in both gaining and applying their knowledge and skills. Throughout this process we will center our students in the learning process and engage in critical reflection and iteration as we (re)design our courses.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the backwards course design model and the benefits of this approach
- Construct a preliminary outline of the design of a course
- Create the beginnings of an action plan to continue the course design process