The IDEA Center

with Virginia S. Lee

We have designed a series of modules that together provide a comprehensive introduction to course development with a central focus on student learning. We have presented day-long workshops as well as more extended 2-4 days retreats touching on each of modules for new faculty and graduate students, for example.

We can also present each module as a stand-alone workshop or combinations of modules depending on the need of your institution. For example, we combined the modules on writing learning outcomes, assessing student learning, and evaluating and improving instruction and presented them at a weekend retreat for faculty at a community college to prepare them for the requirements of re-accreditation.

We can also adapt the modules for curriculum (as opposed to course) development. For example, we have presented various combinations of the modules to selected faculty of academic departments as they embarked on curriculum reform in the major.

Alternative Conceptualizations of Teaching.  All instructors hold implicit beliefs about teaching, learning, and the fundamental purpose of education.  This module gives participants an opportunity to explore and critically examine their own beliefs about teaching and how these beliefs influence their classroom practice and the way they interpret new insights about teaching and learning.

What We Know about How Students Learn. In many ways the beginning point of instruction is our students: who they are, what they already know, and how they learn. In this module we explore assumptions about students and ways to learn more about them as a starting point for planning instruction. We also explore key findings about learning from contemporary psychological research and their implications for instruction

Articulating Learning Outcomes as a Basis for Planning Instruction. Participants will learn how to express precise intended learning outcomes as the basis for comprehensive course planning and implementation.

General Principles of Assessing Student Learning.  Assessment is arguably the most problematic area of instruction for both teachers and students. This module offers specific suggestions on how to conduct ongoing, in-class assessment and design tests, papers, and projects that assess important areas of learning fairly.

Fundamental Principles of Lesson Design.  Contemporary psychological research has many practical implications for the planning and implementation of instruction.  This module introduces a flexible lesson design model based on this research that all instructors can use to optimize student learning.

Overview of Teaching Strategies. How can instructors promote students’ active engagement in their courses and use valuable class time most productively to promote student learning? This module demonstrates why active engagement is so important and provides a variety of techniques for achieving it within a flexible learning design model.

Overview of Techniques for Course-based Assessment. The best measure of effective teaching is the quality of student learning. In this module, participants learn a variety of techniques to improve instruction by assessing student learning, evaluating the effectiveness of instruction, and engaging students in an exploration of the learning process.