Professors, Time to Go Back to Class

April 12, 2011 — When either designing a new course or redesigning an existing one, two important questions an instructor asks are "What do I want and hope my students will be able to do three to five years after taking my course?" and "Why is this important to me?"

Faculty at the University of Virginia Teaching Resource Center's 2011 Course Design Institute will pose these questions throughout the institute, May 23 through 27, said assistant director Michael Palmer.

The Course Design Institute is an intensive, hands-on seminar developed to provide teaching faculty at all stages – full or assistant professor, post-doctoral instructor or graduate student – the opportunity to experience the dynamic and scholarly process of learning-focused course design. It can be helpful for faculty teaching community engagement, study abroad or cross-disciplinary courses for the first time.

The application deadline is April 15. Courses will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zehmer Hall. For details and to apply, click here.

During the institute, an interdisciplinary group of instructor-participants will spend five days designing or substantially redesigning courses, using research-based teaching and learning principles, to promote significant, long-term learning. Participants will explore learner-centered design principles in a large group setting and then work on individual course design in a small, discipline- or pedagogy-focused learning team. Each learning team, led by an experienced facilitator, will provide opportunities for brainstorming, individualized feedback and ongoing support. One-on-one consultations with institute faculty will be available throughout the week.

The Course Design Institute registration fee of $825 covers print materials, including a program binder with worksheets and handouts and L. Dee Fink's bestselling book, "Creating Significant Learning Experiences," plus lunch and refreshments each day.
The $2,000 annual U.Va. education benefit can be used to cover the institute tuition.

Up to five U.Va. graduate students will be accepted with all expenses covered by the Teaching Resource Center.

— By Anne Bromley

Media Contact

Anne E. Bromley

Office of University Communications