Designing Student-Centered Courses is one of four microcredentials available in ACUE's Course in Effective Teaching Practices. Modules in this credential present practices for establishing powerful learning outcomes, aligning assessments, activities, and assignments with course outcomes, developing fair, consistent, and transparent grading practices, developing and using rubrics and checklists, and preparing an effective syllabus.
Individuals who earn this certificate have satisfied the expectations of the ACUE microcredential Designing Student-Centered Courses, including successful completion of at least 6 modules aligned to ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework. Certificate holders have demonstrated knowledge of and skill in implementing teaching practices that promote student achievement. Certificate holders typically have invested approximately 12.5 hours to meet course requirements.
In ACUE's module Establishing Powerful Learning Outcomes, faculty learn how to write course learning outcomes that effectively define what students will know and be able to do at the end of a course. The module introduces a number of steps to ensure outcomes are student-centered, actionable, and aligned—when appropriate—to program, department, and institutional outcomes.
Awarded May 22, 2022
In ACUE's module Aligning Assessments with Course Outcomes, faculty learn how to design assessments that will most effectively and efficiently allow students to demonstrate mastery of course outcomes. In addition, the module includes practices for supporting students to meet assessment expectations.
Awarded May 22, 2022
In ACUE's module Aligning Activities and Assignments with Course Outcomes, faculty learn how to identify and sequence learning activities so students are prepared to meet course outcomes. In addition, faculty learn how to design transparent assignments that help students successfully complete assignments—especially those who often struggle to meet expectations.
Awarded May 22, 2022
In ACUE's module Developing Fair, Consistent, and Transparent Grading Practices, faculty learn the basics of several grading systems in order to identify the system that best aligns with their own teaching and learning philosophy. In addition, the module includes information on effectively communicating grading practices to students and setting grading policies for late assignments and extra credit.
Awarded July 31, 2022
In ACUE's module Developing and Using Rubrics and Checklists, faculty learn how to select a grading tool that aligns to task requirements and offers students helpful feedback. In addition, the module includes practices for helping students understand how to use different grading tools to their benefit and helping instructors understand how to use data generated from their grading tools to inform instruction.
Awarded July 31, 2022
In ACUE's module Preparing an Effective Syllabus, faculty learn how to design a syllabus that communicates essential information and facilitates student success. The module includes a checklist and guiding questions to help instructors identify essential items and important resources. It also provides practices for designing calendars to assist students in meeting key deliverables and building a graphic syllabus to help students visualize the organization of the course.
Awarded July 31, 2022