About the Book
Designing courses to deliver effective teaching and significant learning is the best way to set students up for success, and this book guides readers through the process. The authors have worked with faculty world-wide, and share the stories of how faculty have transformed courses from theory to practice. They start with Dee Fink's foundation of integrating course design. Then they provide additional design concepts to expand the course blueprint to implement plans for communication, accessibility, technology integration, as well as the assessment of course design as it fits into the assessment of programs and institutions, and how faculty can use what they learn to meet their professional goals.
About the Author :
ZalaFashant isa retired dean, faculty, and assistant director of the Minnesota State Collegesand Universities system Center for Teaching and Learning.
Linda Russell is the former Center for Teaching and Learningdirector at and retired coordinator of the Minneapolis Community and TechnicalCollege Learning Center. StewartRoss isprofessor emeritus and founding director of the Center for Excellence inTeaching and Learning at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
JakeJacobson isthe retired chair of and an instructor in the graphic design/web and mediadepartment and former Center for Teaching and Learning director at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
Karen LaPlant is a retired instructor of business andinformation technology and former Center for Teaching and Learning director atHennepin Technical College. Sheri Hutchinson is the academic program director at MinnesotaState, university professor, and former online learning director at NorthHennepin and Normandale Community Colleges. L. Dee Fink
Review :
"Designing Effective Teachingand Significant Learning builds upon the work of Dee Fink by providingpragmatic advice to post-secondary faculty in the design of traditional, blended, and online courses. The book covers a broad range of topics, frombasics in preparing or designing a course to more advanced concepts such asmaking courses accessible and assessing a program or institution. I found thechapter 'Communicating in Your Course' helpful in developing workshops forfaculty on student engagement in online courses."
--Martin Springborg, Director of Teaching and Learning "Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College"
"Designing EffectiveTeaching and Significant Learning is a uniquely comprehensive resource forpost-secondary instructors. Building on a tried and true course design process, the authors augment their step-by-step guide with examples and in-depth explorationsof important topics. I expect that this volume will help guide faculty from thefirst course they teach through ongoing growth and development across theircareers."
--Cassandra Horii, Founding Director "Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach, California Institute of Technology"
"Smartly anchored in DeeFink's seminal work, Creating Significant Learning Experiences, thiscourse design book extends the framework into topics typically not included inthis type of book--instructional software, LMS usage, cognitive science, course assessmentrubrics, and program and institutional evaluation--in addition to the subjectsyou'd expect. It features plentiful examples, relatable cases, and, for eachchapter, opening points-to-ponder and summary action checklists. It paysparticular attention to the needs of community college faculty."
--Linda B. Nilson, Director Emerita "Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation, Clemson University"
"This book is a greatresource for Higher Education instructors willing to challenge theirtraditional strategies and practices... It promotes self-reflection on currentteaching approaches, and helps faculty understand, through illustrativeexamples, how the adoption of integrative strategies leads to significantlearning experiences. In parallel, the reader is guided smoothly through themajor steps of integrated course design: from using the taxonomy forsignificant learning to assessing and reflecting on the teaching and learningprocedure, passing by defining and aligning the course outcomes with thelearning and assessment activities, communicating effectively, making thecourse accessible and integrating learning technologies. It is undeniably aninspirational and enlightening work... not to be missed!"
--Faten el Hage Yahchouchi, Deputy President for Teaching & Learning "Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Beirut, Lebanon"
"Want to take yourcapabilities as a teacher from 'Good' to 'Great'? This book can help you dothat. It focuses on just the right range of topics, and has a powerful blend ofstories, examples of good course design, and substantive guidance."
--Dee Fink, former Founding Director "Instructional Development Program, University of Oklahoma"
"Well-organized andaccessible, I appreciated how the book invites the reader to participate on thepage in the enterprise of designing effective teaching and significantlearning--two complementary aspects of effective instruction. Will serve as awelcome refresher for seasoned educational developers and faculty, and also asa friendly on-ramp for newcomers."
--Hoag Holmgren, Executive Director "Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education"
"The authors of Designing Effective Teaching and Significant Learning demonstrate adeep understating of the subject of college teaching and learning at both theconceptual and pragmatic levels through stories, examples and techniques.Developing a deeper understanding ofteaching and learning helps both the student and teacher succeed."--John Mirocha, Executive Coach and Consultant "John Mirocha & Associates, and former Professor of Management, St. Thomas University"
"I am abeliever that building oneself as an educator goes beyond the academicenvironments. While reading DesigningEffective Teaching and Significant Learning I could identify countlessapplicable connections with my leadership work as an engineering manager for acreative software company. This book comes at a pivotal moment in the evolutionof learning: We have access to more information than ever, and technology israpidly evolving. This means we need to be more strategic about what we learnand how transferable that is to the next task/job/industry. This book is aninvitation to reflect on our methods as educators as well as a practical guidenot only for faculty members but for industry leaders on how to successfullyprepare individuals for a future where their contributions are rewarding andimpactful."
--Manuel Castellanos Raboso, Engineering Manager "Adobe, Inc."
"Thisbook combines an action-oriented guide to effective teaching with a reflectiveworkshop on significant learning. The authors blend personal stories, practicaltechniques, critical questions, and deep wisdom in ways that will resonate withbusy faculty. I particularly appreciate the reminder to pay close attention tothe students in our classes because, in the end, their learning is what makesour teaching meaningful."
--Peter Felten, Executive Director "Center for Engaged Learning, Elon University"
