In a classroom (or a computer screen) we all want to see highly motivated students, engaging with the course materials to achieve the competencies, skills, and traits necessary for their careers and lives. Increasingly, we find that well-designed courses with definite learning goals and objectives increase student engagement and success.
Whether we teach an online, in-person, or a hybrid class, the key components of course design are the same:
Getting Started
You may be creating unique material or curating resources created by others to teach; your course may be lecture-oriented, case-based, or hands-on; it can be online, face-to-face or hybrid. No matter what type of content or format you use, it is important to continuously develop and revise teaching strategies to achieve your educational goals. Remember, best practices in teaching rely on the same principles across all formats!
In this page you will find the definitions of modalities that are in use at Rutgers.
Learning Objectives & Outcomes
Learning objectives are an essential part of course design, and they let us clearly articulate what the students are expected to achieve at the end of the class.
Activities and Assessments
Consider how assessments and learning outcomes are connected. What kinds of activities in and out of class will reinforce my learning objectives and prepare students for assessments?
Course content and Structure
The next step is organizing and sequencing course content. Remember,
the pace and structure of a course becomes as important as the content.
Writing or Revising Syllabus
Syllabus templates and other resources for SCI faculty.