Intentional Teaching cover image

Intentional Teaching

High Structure Course Design with Justin Shaffer

Jul 30, 2024
Justin Shaffer, a teaching professor in chemical and biological engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, shares his innovative approach to course design. He discusses how technology can enhance visibility into student learning and uses interactive techniques to engage students in complex topics. Shaffer emphasizes the importance of structured learning, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduces concepts like Retrieval Practice Opportunities. His upcoming book promises to be a valuable resource for STEM educators looking to improve their teaching methods.
42:03

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • High-structure course design enhances student engagement by providing clear expectations and intentional frameworks for diverse learning backgrounds.
  • Integrating technology, such as interactive tools, fosters real-time participation and critical discussions, improving student understanding in complex topics.

Deep dives

The Significance of High-Structure Course Design

High-structure course design is essential for enhancing student learning and engagement, particularly in STEM fields. This approach involves creating intentional frameworks that support student learning through clearly defined expectations and structured activities. For instance, by incorporating pre-class assignments and assessments, instructors ensure that all students have a baseline understanding before they attend class, which allows for more advanced discussions and applications of knowledge. This method helps level the playing field among students with varied backgrounds, especially crucial in the current educational landscape where learning losses have been reported.

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