If you have dropped into this Course Design Tutorial from somewhere else, you might wish to start at the introduction, overview, or table of contents.

Resources on Course Design, Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

Course Design References

  • Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, 1998. This book describes a "backwards design" model for course development and presents six "facets of understanding."
  • Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses by Dee Fink, 2003. This book encourages a shift from a content-centered approach to a learning-centered approach as a way to develop courses that will provide "significant learning experiences" for students.

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment References

  • Tools for Teaching by Barbara G. Davis, 1993. An excellent resources that presents tips for different teaching strategies and other aspects of teaching. Much of this book is available on-line.
  • Teaching Tips by Wilbert J. McKeachie. Another excellent resource for various teaching strategies and other aspects of teaching.
  • Science Teaching Reconsidered National Research Council, 1997. This book provides an overview of various teaching strategies and issues in science education and is available on-line.
  • Student-Active Science: Models of Innovation in College Science Teaching by A. McNeal and C. D'Avanzo, 1997.
  • How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School by John D. Bransford, Ann L. Brown, and Rodney R. Cocking, eds., National Research Council, 2000, is available online.
  • Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers by Thomas A. Angelo and K. Patricia Cross, 1993. This book presents many different classroom assessment techniques.

Other Resources

  • Shaping the Future: New Expectations for Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology, National Science Foundation, 1996. NSF 96-139.
  • Learning Styles: Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire by Barbara A. Soloman and Richard M. Felder, North Carolina State University. The questionnaire of learning styles and a number of related resources are on-line. ( This site may be offline. )