Designing Impactful College Courses by Bonem, Emily M.; Guberman, Daniel; Levesque-Bristol, Chantal;

Short description:

This how-to course design guide is rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), equipping educators with the tools they need to create learning environments that fuel motivation and lead to a more engaging and productive teaching and learning experience.

Long description:

This how-to course design guide is rooted in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), equipping educators with the tools they need to create learning environments that fuel motivation and lead to a more engaging and productive teaching and learning experience.

Existing literature on course design often emphasizes tips and tricks drawn from a wide range of scholarship but rarely provides cohesive guiding principles to address the diverse needs of students. This book bridges that gap by utilizing a backwards design approach (starting with outcomes, followed by assessments, and then activities) to guide readers through the stages of course development. It features diverse case studies that demonstrate how instructors have applied its principles to transform their courses, along with interactive worksheets available as online resources.

Ideal for any higher education instructor interested in designing (or updating) a course, this resource is particularly well-suited to graduate students designing their first class, as well as faculty development programs or book clubs in need of an anchor text.

"This practical and inspiring book is essential for everyone committed to student success in higher education. Drawing on years of work with more than 600 instructors, the authors demonstrate how Self-Determination Theory is the foundation of effective course design for students – and motivates faculty to thrive as teachers. Whether you read alone or with colleagues, this book will guide you through the process of transforming your teaching and your students’ learning."

Peter Felten, Co-author of Relationship-Rich Education: How Human Connections Drive Success in College. Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning and Professor of History, Elon University.

"Designing Impactful College Courses thoughtfully guides readers through the IMPACT course-design process used successfully at Purdue University for over a decade. The book addresses multiple components of course design, including learning outcomes, assessment strategies (tests, writings assignments, etc.), and class activities/approaches (lectures, discussions, etc.). Written in accessible prose, each chapter includes a student-centered story, clear explanations of the basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness that are core to self-determination theory, two faculty case studies, guiding reflection questions, and strategies for starting small. This text can support all instructors in creating student-centered, autonomy-supportive learning environments."

Alison Cook-Sather, author of Co-Creating Equitable Teaching and Learning: Structuring Student Voice into Higher Education. Mary Katherine Woodworth Chair and Professor in the Bryn Mawr/Haverford Education Program.

"Enhancing autonomy and intrinsic motivation in today’s classrooms is a real challenge. Drawing on the best of motivational science, this book equips university faculty with clear strategies and practical tools to foster high-quality engagement and deeper learning. A much-needed resource for educators across disciplines in today’s changing higher education environment."

Richard Ryan, Co-author of Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness. Professor Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, North Sydney.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1. Self-Determination Theory in Higher Education  Chapter 2. Learning Outcomes  Chapter 3. Grading  Chapter 4. Tests  Chapter 5. Writing Assignments  Chapter 6. Group Projects  Chapter 7. Lectures  Chapter 8. Class Discussions  Chapter 9. Labs  Chapter 10. Experiential Education  Chapter 11. Technology  Chapter 12. Putting It All Together