Reflect and Redesign: Intentionality and Iterative Course Design

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR KPU FACULTY.

Facilitator: Lisa Gedak
Dates: 3-part series (attend all dates)
- Thurs, Oct 2, 1:00-2:30PM
- Mon, Oct 6, 1:00-2:30PM
- Wed, Oct 8, 1:00-2:30PM
Online workshop. Zoom link provided upon registration.

Great teaching doesn’t just happen; it’s intentionally crafted. By reflecting on and redesigning course structure through a thoughtful, iterative process, educators create meaningful opportunities to deepen student engagement and promote more equitable learning experiences.   

This three-part series invites KPU faculty and instructional staff to enhance course design through intentional, reflective practice. Participants will explore their teaching philosophy, assess current course elements, and develop an action plan to strengthen alignment with learner needs, inclusivity, and accessibility. Each session builds progressively, supported by reflective activities between workshops. 

Part 1: Teaching with Purpose: Aligning Teaching Philosophy with Learner Needs 

In the first session, KPU faculty and instructional staff will reflect on their teaching philosophy and explore how it aligns with the diverse needs of their learners. Through interactive activities, they’ll identify key learner characteristics such as background, goals, and potential learning barriers. 
 

Part 2: Reflective Course Design Audit  

In session two, participants will conduct a reflective audit of a course to assess its inclusivity, accessibility, and use of technology.  Faculty will utilize evidence-based course design checklists and frameworks to self-evaluate course materials, activities, and assessments to identify areas of opportunity to strengthen instructional approaches and course design elements. 

Part 3: Planning for Redesign  

In this final session, participants will use insights from their reflective audit to create an action plan for redesigning their course; prioritizing changes based on learner needs, inclusivity, and accessibility, while also ensuring alignment with their teaching philosophy. 

Through engaging in the activities and content of this workshop, you have the opportunity to 

Part 1: 

• Articulate your teaching philosophy to consider how your personal teaching beliefs inform your instructional decisions and course design  

• Analyze the diverse identities, backgrounds and lived experiences of learners, including the consideration of contextual needs and challenges  

• Critically reflect on the alignment of your teaching philosophy with addressing the needs of your learners 

Part 2:

• Conduct a reflective audit of your course design, identifying opportunities to strengthen instructional approaches and course design elements to better support learning experiences  

• Assess the inclusivity and accessibility of course materials, activities and assessments  

• Consider opportunities for increasing student engagement and interaction through active learning strategies, collaborative activities, and community building approaches 

Part 3: 

• Identify strategies to continuously reflect and iterate on course design in the future  

• Develop an action plan for implementing course redesign changes   

• Define methods for strategically monitoring and evaluating course effectiveness over time