Design for Impact: Structuring Courses for Meaningful Student Outcomes Community of Practice

Community Information

Facilitator: Dr. Subha Nagarajan, Department of Natural and Social Sciences, BGSU Firelands & CFE Faculty Associate

Duration: Spring 2026

Meeting Schedule & Locations:

• Fri, Feb 13, 1:00-2:00 PM (Zoom)
• Fri, Mar 13, 1:00-2:00 PM (Zoom)
• Fri, April 10, 1:00-2:00 PM (Zoom)
• Fri, May 8, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM (Olscamp 106)

Community Participants:

All BGSU faculty, adjunct instructors, graduate students, and staff who are instructors of record in one or more courses are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Community Description: 

This community is designed for educators who wish to design, redesign or revise a course. The community will enable educators to design impactful, student-centered courses through collaborative learning. You will explore the stages of backward design by identifying specific student-centered learning outcomes and then design effective assessment strategies using evidence-based design principles. By integrating the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework, you will foster deep meaningful learning and enhance student engagement for all students. This learning community offers the time and supports you need to work and collaborate with colleagues to design courses where outcomes, assessments, and activities are well-aligned for significant learning.

Community Learning Outcomes:

By participating in this community, you will be able to:

• Describe the stages of backward design. 
• Identify strategies for assessing student learning. 
• Integrate evidence-based instructional practices into course components. 
• Apply the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework to redesign two course assessments that clearly communicate purpose, task, and criteria to students, thereby enhancing student engagement, motivation and confidence. 
• Use the TILT framework rubric to assess transparency. 
• Apply research-based teaching and learning principles to their future course design and pedagogical practices.

Participant Expectations:

As a member of this community, you are expected to:

• Meet the community learning outcomes.
• Complete pre-work before the first meeting, including a reflective activity and uploading course assessments.
• Actively participate in and attend all 4 scheduled community meetings, including the final in-person meeting on May 8, 2026.
• Complete assignments and/or asynchronous tasks.
• Complete using the TILT rubric to assess course assessments.

To apply for this community you must be able to provide details about the course you plan to design or redesign, your goals for participation, and any challenges you hope to address while participating in this community.

Community Registration Deadline: Wed, Jan 30

Spring 2026 CFE Community of Practice Application Form