High-quality digital learning experiences are built on the foundational principles of providing equitable, inclusive, accessible learning environments for all students. In addition, high-quality digital learning experiences are well-organized and thoughtfully designed. These experiences rely on instructional design principles and strategies to…

This paper presents guidelines for writing a syllabus for college courses for both experienced and novice teachers. The purpose of the syllabus in communicating course content, purpose, direction and requirements is discussed, as is the necessity of planning the course before syllabus writing. Major content areas of the syllabus are reviewed,…

This paper offers guidelines for developing class Web pages and integrating their use into college courses. It notes that this has been simplified since teachers no longer need to know how to program in HyperText Markup Language (HTML), but teachers still must understand the hypertext medium as well as established pedagogical principles. Specific…

A well-designed college course syllabus can serve a variety of purposes: as an agreement between teacher and student; as a device for communicating intent, seriousness, and expectations; as an overall plan of action for the course; and as a cognitive map of the course to share with students. This article identifies the major components of a good…

This is a workbook that assists college faculty to design their own courses. The process is organized in a series of stages each of which is given a chapter: gathering, planning, implementing, teaching and evaluating. The first chapter on gathering describes the process for collecting as much information about the course as possible by describing…

Describes a Hope College (Michigan) undergraduate psychology internship program and how it integrates service and learning. Outlines the personal, professional, and curricular goals of the course and details of the internship program. An important element of the internship is the classroom component, which helps the student integrate academic and…

A required one-credit discussion course in research ethics for graduate students in biology is described. The course has four parts: (1) overview of major issues; (2) practical issues in scholarly work; (3) ownership of research results; and (4) graduate student training and personal decisions. A list of weekly topics and related readings is also…

Briefly describes two guidebooks, published by the National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, designed to assist both teaching assistants (TAs) and professors to improve instruction. Stresses the importance of course planning and writing effective syllabi. Argues TAs need to learn skills from their current…

Introductory courses in biology are often either designed for majors or watered-down versions for nonmajors that are not stimulating. A course developed for nonmajors emphasizes the relationship of biology to the human condition and focuses on five basic concepts while being flexible enough to adapt to new research and technology. (MSE)

Describes an interdisciplinary college course on the Plains Indians, team-taught by history and literature professors. Outlines issues related to team teaching, organization of course content and selection of print and video instructional materials, classroom practice, and lessons learned. A course outline and exam essay questions are appended.…

A large introductory anthropology course at Utah State University was organized to promote collaboration among and between students and faculty. Students were divided into and worked in "clans" for the entire term. A study of the course suggests that learning and a sense of community resulted directly from this organization. (MSE)

Describes a team-taught college course designed to develop philosophical literacy among students as groundwork for future humanities courses. Unifying motif was "dialog" between faculty from different areas of expertise; the concept of philosophy as dialog; and the student-teacher relationship as dialog. Discusses course design, lessons learned,…

Since 1991, the University of Kansas, Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC), and Johnson County Community College (JCCC) (Kansas) have offered a cooperative class called "Teaching in the Community College" to provide community college faculty with practical applications to enhance classroom instruction. With an average enrollment of 22…

A sociology course on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its societal context, taught at California State University, Long Beach, is described. The background, content, organization, administrative and emotional demands, teaching methods (including input from patients with AIDS), texts, and impact of the interdisciplinary course are…

A course taught at Notre Dame on American Literature of the Westward Movement, in its broadest connotation, and thought to be the only one of its kind, is outlined. Organized by sections of the country, the course progresses from an introduction to: (1) the Seaboard and the Piedmont, (2) over the Appalachians, (3) the Old Southwest and Twain, (4)…