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.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

From Engineering to Education

01:59 • 7min

An Evening of Squid Fishing in Maine

08:43 • 2min

Interactive Techniques for Engaged Learning

10:30 • 27min

The Importance of Structured Learning in Higher Education

37:58 • 2min

Reflections on Course Design and Educational Research

40:21 • 2min

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During these late summer episodes of the podcast, I’m sharing some interviews I conducted in much cooler times. Back in February as part of a slow read of my book Intentional Tech, I talked with Justin Shaffer, teaching professor in chemical and biological engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Chapter three of the book deals with using technology to make visible “thin slices” of student learning. I reached out to Justin, who is also associate dean of undergraduate studies at Mines, to learn about some of the ways he uses technology both in and out of the classroom to learn more about his students’ learning.

That topic quite naturally led to discussions of Justin’s high-structure approach to course design. Justin has a book coming later this year (or maybe early 2025) from Macmillan Learning “High Structure Course Design for STEM” that will incredibly useful to STEM instructors of all experience levels. Justin is now officially the first repeat guest on Intentional Teaching. He was part of a panel way back in episode 9 on studio-style biology courses!

Episode Resources

· Justin Shaffer’s website, https://www.recombinanteducation.com/

· Sign-up for updates about Justin’s forthcoming book on high-structure course design, https://forms.gle/PEew6AsgFpijopm96

· High Structure Course Design on the UVA Teaching Hub, https://teaching.virginia.edu/collections/high-structure-course-design

· Getting Started with Discipline-Based Education Research on the UVA Teaching Hub, https://teaching.virginia.edu/collections/getting-started-with-discipline-based-education-research

· Intentional Teaching Episode 9 on Studio-Style Biology Courses, https://intentionalteaching.buzzsprout.com/2069949/12409419-studio-biology-with-scott-chirhart-robbie-bear-and-justin-shaffer

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