Organizing Learning for Student Success

Now that we have explored who our students are, reflected on our backgrounds as instructors, and examined ways to build a supportive class community, the next step is structuring our courses to maximize student learning and success.

This section of the guide focuses on key strategies for designing courses that are student-centered, intentional, and effective. Topics include:

Structures for Support

• Prior Knowledge – Understanding what students bring to the classroom and how it impacts learning.
• Expert Blindspot – Recognizing how our own expertise can create barriers to clear instruction.
• Scaffolding – Providing structured support to help students progress from novice to expert thinkers.

Designing Courses for Significant Learning

• Learning Taxonomies – Exploring frameworks that help categorize and deepen learning outcomes.
• Understanding by Design / Backward Design – Creating courses with the end in mind, ensuring that learning activities align with meaningful goals.

By integrating these principles, instructors can create courses that are both rigorous and accessible, allowing students to engage deeply and develop transferable skills for lifelong learning.