Again, transitioning or revising your course, is an opportunity to update your master course syllabus. It is a time to verify that you are only presenting content that aligns with course goals and outcomes. Over time, a course may become bloated. Perhaps you included every chapter of the textbook. Maybe you kept adding new material without removing material.
There is a theory or model of instructional design called Backward Design. With Backward Design, you start with the end. You ask, “What do I want the learners to be able to do or know”? These are the must-haves, the big ideas and goals. If it is not a big goal, you may not need it in your course, especially if your course is a shorter duration course. Consider this. Design your courses to ensure learning outcome alignment with program goals. If it does not roll up to a program goal perhaps you do not need it.
Think about your shorter duration courses (ex. 8-weeks) as the course that meets all the requirements. Consider your longer duration courses (ex. 16-weeks) for learners who require more time or more practice or remediation.
Backward Design is a 3-stage process that creates alignment with the learning outcomes, learning activities, and learning assessments (evidence).
- Identify the Big Ideas (goals) Create the learning and practice activities
- Create the assessments (how you now the learners have met the goal)
- Create the learning activities and create or curate the reading/lecture content (how to get there)
Before you start this workshop, consider reviewing your course learning outcomes. In addition, know which outcome(s) align with the lesson you will revise during this workshop.