Congratulations

Congratulations on completing the main modules of Promoting Instructional Excellence!

In this final reflection module, we will review what we have learned and consider our next steps in course design.

Let’s Review

University of Baltimore Teaching Excellence Framework

The University of Baltimore faculty upholds four core values that shape our approach to teaching excellence: Strategic Course Design, Adaptable Instruction, Empowering Student Learning, and Reflective Teaching. The Teaching Excellence Framework is the foundation of the Promoting Instructional Excellence (PIE) program.

View the full Teaching Excellence Framework document.

Course Design Module

In the Course Design module, we explored the first core value statement of the Teaching Excellence Framework: Strategic Course Design. We are now able to:

• Apply the principles of Backwards Design to our course
• Align Student Learning Outcomes to course activities, assignments, and assessments
• Create a course map to use for designing or redesigning our course

Assessment Module

In this module, we have explored assessment types, authentic assessment, rubrics, and feedback aligned with the Teaching Excellence Framework core value of Adaptable Instruction. We are now able to:

• Differentiate formative and summative assessments and identify examples of each
• Define “authentic assessment”
• Create a rubric to assess a specific assignment

Accessibility Module

In the Accessibility module, we explored the importance of accessibility. In alignment with the Adaptable Instruction core value of the Teaching Excellence Framework. We also explored several techniques for creating accessible course materials. We are now able to:

• State the importance of creating accessible course materials
• Create accessible course materials using Microsoft Office
• Edit videos to include captions

Student Engagement Module

In the Student Engagement module, we explored the community of inquiry model and strategies for establishing and maintaining cognitive, social, and teaching presence to ensure students are engaged throughout a course. This module is aligned to the core value of Empowering Student Learning from the Teaching Excellence Framework. We are now able to:

• Apply the theories of the Community of Inquiry and Cognitive, Social, and Teaching Presences to our courses
• Review strategies, activities, and tools for creating the three types of presence and boosting student engagement
• Use an assessment checklist to monitor our course facilitation

Capstone Module

In the Capstone module, we each selected a module to best align with our course needs and goals from three options: Collaborative Group work, Authentic Discussions, and Genuine Reflections. In our capstone choice modules, we explored strategies and best practices related to the type of learning activity. These modules are aligned to the core value of Empowering Student Learning from the Teaching Excellence Framework. We are now able to:

• design, implement, and assess learning activities of the chosen module

What’s Next?

Now that we have created a course map and developed activities, assignments, and assessments for our courses, we are ready to build our course sites in the Learning Management System. Visit the next section of this module to learn the guiding principles of web design for building online course sites in the LMS.