getting under the hood: how and for whom does increasing course structure work?

by Joyce Flatley 8 min read

Does increased course structure improve student achievement?

These changes imply that increased course structure improves student achievement at least partially through increasing student use of distributed learning and creating a more interdependent classroom community. © 2014 S. L. Eddy and K. A. Hogan.

How do students feel about moderate-structure courses?

We also found that students consistently reported completing the assigned readings more frequently, spending more time studying for class, and feeling an increased sense of community in the moderate-structure course.

How is the course structure?

The course structure refers to the choice of topics and the organization and sequencing of course content. Remember that the choice of topics and their organization should always support the learning objectives for the course.

What will you need to do in order to be successful in this course?

8 Steps to Academic SuccessStep 1: Set Goals. Goals help to keep you going by: ... Step 2: Have a Positive Attitude. ... Step 3: Manage Your Time. ... Step 4: Read Textbooks & Course Readings. ... Step 5: Attend your Lectures. ... Step 6: Record your Lecture Notes. ... Step 7: Prepare for Exams. ... Step 8: Write Your Exams.

How do you design a course effectively?

To design an effective course, you need to:Consider timing and logistics.Recognize who your students are.Identify the situational constraints.Articulate your learning objectives.Identify potential assessments.Identify appropriate instructional strategies.Plan your course content and schedule.

What strategies can you implement to be a successful student?

10 Habits of Successful StudentsGet Organized. Making a plan for what you're going to do and when you're going to do it will make sure you're always ahead of the curve - literally.Don't multitask. ... Divide it up. ... Sleep. ... Set a schedule. ... Take notes. ... Study. ... Manage your study space.More items...

What are the five strategies for academic success?

5 Strategies for SuccessAdapt your study habits. You can learn anything, but you may need to change your study habits to perform in line with your goals. ... Manage your time. ... Tune out the noise. ... Ask questions. ... Stay connected.

Why is course design important?

The focus of course design is to put together the optimal learning experiences for students in an environment that is supportive and appreciative of learning and intellectual development. The backdrop behind effective course design is that the courses themselves constitute the foundation of teaching and learning.

Why are course guides and course outlines important for students?

A course outline or syllabus also works as a guide for students. By setting course goals and student learning outcomes, you are informing students about the materials they will engage. The schedule also tells students what expectations are had of them and provides a timeline of these expectations.

What is more important in defining course goals?

The best way to use goals as a roadmap for a course design is to make them more clear and concise by determining specific learning objectives. Learning Objectives are measurable subgoals of a lesson and inform particular learning outcomes. Writing learning objectives keeps you focused and helps you in planning.