The CBB Course Design Experience (CDE) is a place for faculty and instructors to start the design of a new course or rethink the design of a pre-existing course. The title of the experience suggests that participants will design a course during the 3-day or 3-week institute. However, it is more likely that participants will embrace the latest course design theories and apply them to a unit or segment of a course. Most importantly, the CDE is a learner-centered experience that allows each participant to spend time working on the elements of their courses that need the most attention while engaging in conversation with the facilitation team, fellow instructors and colleagues. Ultimately, this experience will help faculty and instructors to develop courses that promote deep learning, support academic integrity, reflect the needs of diverse learners, and enhance the academic experience for all learners.
There are two versions of the CDE: A 3-day synchronous, intensive program, and a 3-week asynchronous program with weekly synchronous check-ins:
3 Day Version – Tuesday, January 25, Wednesday, January 26 & Thursday, January 27
- Synchronous sessions from 9am -10am and 3pm – 4pm each day
- Individual and group work support intensive experience
3 Week Version – Weeks of Monday, January 4, Monday, January 11 & Monday, January 18
- Flexible format of 3 modules with weekly deadlines (Thursdays Jan 7, 14, & 21 at 5pm with options for personalized deadlines if requested).
- Individual and small group work throughout the week
Registration by Institution:
| Time | Sample Daily Schedule (3-day Intensive) |
| 9 – 10am | Live Session |
| 10 – 11am | Essential Activity (individual) |
| 11am – 12pm | Small Group Check-ins (interdisciplinary, across colleges) |
| 12 – 1pm | Lunch/Break |
| 1 – 3pm | Individual Work or Small Group Meetings (complete activities and work on course artifacts) |
| 3 – 4pm | Live Reflection Session |
Each day (in the 3-day version) or week (in the 3-week version) will have a different focus: learning outcomes, assessment, and pedagogical strategies. The end products that faculty produce are up to them and what they need. Some examples could include: New/revised learning outcomes, revised syllabus, exam questions, homework assignments, rubric, active learning activities, or a technology plan. Facilitators from Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby will provide feedback in small groups and one-on-one.
Lead Facilitators:
| Carol Hurney, Ph.D. Director Center for Teaching & Learning Colby College cahurney@colby.edu Jordan Troisi, Ph.D. Senior Associate Director Center for Teaching & Learning Colby College jdtroisi@colby.edu | Kathryn Byrnes, Ph.D. Director Baldwin Center for Learning & Teaching Bowdoin College kbyrnes@bowdoin.edu | Shauna’h Fuegen, M.Ed., MSIT Learning Assessment Specialist Bates College estump@bates.edu |
There are two upcoming opportunities to attend the Course Design Experience. Information on how to access the virtual components of this institute will be sent via email to registered participants.
