Building Better Course Objectives

Building Better Course Objectives, Expectations and Assignments

Session Description

How does learning theory apply to course design, specifically the connection between course objectives and assignments? How can "content expert" instructors translate course objectives to their "content novice" students? How can course design support students as they begin to construct knowledge structures that promote deep learning? Scaffolding is a technique by which faculty, through course design and classroom leadership, help students develop proficiency in course content while also increasing their metacognitive skills. Join us as we explore the connection between learning theory, course design, and scaffolding to foster student learning.

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Interpret the implications of learning theory for course design, specifically course objectives and assignments
• Consider how course design can use scaffolding principles to foster student learning

Session Date

• 11/01/2012

  Thursday, 5:30—7:30 p.m.
  Delphi Center Lab

Presenter Bio

Dr. Cathy Bays, Ideas to Action (i2a) specialist for assessment, brings a wealth of experience in assessment, teaching, and curricular enhancement to this role. For 15 years Cathy was a faculty member in the School of Nursing. She has taught in the online RN to BSN program; she was one of the first faculties to use Blackboard in her nursing courses, and for five years Cathy served as director of the Undergraduate Program. For the last four years she has been the assessment specialist for the university's Quality Enhancement Plan for regional reaccreditation.