Effective Course Design Principles for Enhanced Learning Outcomes

Backward Design (Modified from Pedagogy in Action)

The Big Picture Think of a particularly significant learning experience you had Why was it significant for you? Record it in the Chat

Research on learning Collected research on learning All freely downloadable from the National Academies Press: http://nap.edu

Key findings Research on learning Students come into our classes with preconceptions, not blank slates Students must have the opportunity to develop a conceptual framework that facilitates retrieval and builds on deep knowledge A metacognitive approach helps students monitor their own learning and become better learners Promising practices: Developing (and using) learning outcomes Engaging students in activities during class, in groups Getting and giving feedback before major assessments Creating a sense of belonging

Five Years Out What Do You Want Your Students to Remember? enduring concepts (e.g., disturbance, equilibrium) how to transfer knowledge how to do specific statistical analyses critical to your field how to make environmental or equitable decisions based on quantitative reasoning

Approaches to Course Design Traditional Backward Enduring Understandings and Learning Goals List Course Topics Design Instruction Acceptable Evidence Design Exams/Papers Instructional Activities After Wiggins and McTighe (1998)

Backward Design 1. Identify desired results learning goals/outcomes Achievable and measurable 2. Determine acceptable evidence to that will demonstrate learning 3. Plan learning experiences that produce learning Use instructional strategies that foster engagement Design activities that give students practice

Backward Design Identify Desired Results Determine Acceptable Evidence Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

What does this look like at the module or unit level?

Learning Goals (from the Green Infrastructure/ Green Roof Module by Elizabeth Farrell) Discuss the importance of preserving water quality and identify some of the environmental problems associated with stormwater runoff Analyze data and draw conclusions regarding changes in precipitation patterns Evaluate and quantify the effectiveness of green infrastructure as a mitigation technique by using professional-grade models Assess the additional benefits of green infrastructure Use basic equations, shortcuts and graphing in Excel

Determine Acceptable Evidence Graph of precipitation patterns Description how precipitation changes through time For this example: What are the ideas you have for high quality experiences that will demonstrate this knowledge? Answer in the chat

Note about how modules connect to courses Course level learning goals set concepts, skills, & habits you want to reinforce to improve recall & transfer Modules & activitie within them help meet goals at greater granularity Project EDDIE modules offer an opportunity to reinforce inquiry, specific analytical strategies, & quantitative reasoning