High Structure Course Design
First Edition ©2026 Justin Shaffer Formats: E-book, Print
As low as $19.99
As low as $19.99
Authors
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Justin Shaffer
Justin Shaffer, PhD, is a Teaching Professor and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the Colorado School of Mines. The author of the forthcoming book High Structure Course Design: An Evidence-Based Guide to Designing, Implementing, and Assessing STEM Courses. Dr. Shaffer is the founder of Recombinant Education where he provides faculty professional development on course and curriculum design, evidence-based teaching practices, and discipline-based education research. Dr. Shaffer has written op-eds for Inside Higher Ed and has been featured on several podcasts including Teaching in Higher Ed.
Table of Contents
1 Overview of High Structure Course Design
2 Backward Design and Learning Objectives
3 Syllabus Design and Clear Communication
4 Summative Assessment and Student Learning
5 Pre-Class Activities and Assessments
6 In-Class Activities and Assessments
7 After-Class Activities and Assessments
8 High Structure Course Design for Lab, Online, and Field Courses
9 Evaluation of Course Design and Teaching
10 Studying Your Course Design: Introduction to Discipline-Based Educational
Research
Appendices: Chapter Resources
Product Updates
Authors
-
Justin Shaffer
Justin Shaffer, PhD, is a Teaching Professor and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the Colorado School of Mines. The author of the forthcoming book High Structure Course Design: An Evidence-Based Guide to Designing, Implementing, and Assessing STEM Courses. Dr. Shaffer is the founder of Recombinant Education where he provides faculty professional development on course and curriculum design, evidence-based teaching practices, and discipline-based education research. Dr. Shaffer has written op-eds for Inside Higher Ed and has been featured on several podcasts including Teaching in Higher Ed.
Table of Contents
1 Overview of High Structure Course Design
2 Backward Design and Learning Objectives
3 Syllabus Design and Clear Communication
4 Summative Assessment and Student Learning
5 Pre-Class Activities and Assessments
6 In-Class Activities and Assessments
7 After-Class Activities and Assessments
8 High Structure Course Design for Lab, Online, and Field Courses
9 Evaluation of Course Design and Teaching
10 Studying Your Course Design: Introduction to Discipline-Based Educational
Research
Appendices: Chapter Resources
Product Updates
Design Courses That Drive Student Engagement and Success in STEM
Grounded in evidence and classroom experience, this practical guide offers STEM instructors actionable strategies to design more effective, inclusive, and engaging courses. Drawing from the STEM education literature and lessons learned from teaching over 8,500 students, author Justin Shaffer shares a research-informed approach to creating high-structure learning environments.
Whether you’re new to teaching or looking to refine your existing course design, this book provides adaptable tools to promote active learning, improve student performance, and build community in and beyond the classroom. Insights from Shaffer’s own education research program make complex pedagogical concepts accessible and immediately applicable.
Perfect for college-level instructors across STEM disciplines, this resource empowers educators to elevate student engagement and support academic success with methods proven to work.
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Our courses currently integrate with Canvas, Blackboard (Learn and Ultra), Brightspace, D2L, and Moodle. Click on the support documentation below to find out more details about the integration with each LMS.
Integrate Macmillan courses with Blackboard
Integrate Macmillan courses with Canvas
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If you’re a verified instructor, you can request a free sample of our courseware, e-book, or print textbook to consider for use in your courses. Only registered and verified instructors can receive free print and digital samples, and they should not be sold to bookstores or book resellers. If you don't yet have an existing account with Macmillan Learning, it can take up to two business days to verify your status as an instructor. You can request a free sample from the right side of this product page by clicking on the "Request Instructor Sample" button or by contacting your rep. Learn more.
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Sometimes also referred to as a spiral-bound or binder-ready textbook, loose-leaf textbooks are available to purchase. This three-hole punched, unbound version of the book costs less than a hardcover or paperback book.
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We can help! Contact your representative to discuss your specific needs for your course. If our off-the-shelf course materials don’t quite hit the mark, we also offer custom solutions made to fit your needs.
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ISBN:9781319583453
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FAQs
-
-
Are you a campus bookstore looking for ordering information?
MPS Order Search Tool (MOST) is a web-based purchase order tracking program that allows customers to view and track their purchases. No registration or special codes needed! Just enter your BILL-TO ACCT # and your ZIP CODE to track orders.
Canadian Stores: Please use only the first five digits/letters in your zip code on MOST.
Visit MOST, our online ordering system for booksellers: https://tracking.mpsvirginia.com/Login.aspx
Learn more about our Bookstore programs here: https://www.macmillanlearning.com/college/us/contact-us/booksellers
-
-
-
Our courses currently integrate with Canvas, Blackboard (Learn and Ultra), Brightspace, D2L, and Moodle. Click on the support documentation below to find out more details about the integration with each LMS.
Integrate Macmillan courses with Blackboard
Integrate Macmillan courses with Canvas
-
-
-
If you’re a verified instructor, you can request a free sample of our courseware, e-book, or print textbook to consider for use in your courses. Only registered and verified instructors can receive free print and digital samples, and they should not be sold to bookstores or book resellers. If you don't yet have an existing account with Macmillan Learning, it can take up to two business days to verify your status as an instructor. You can request a free sample from the right side of this product page by clicking on the "Request Instructor Sample" button or by contacting your rep. Learn more.
-
-
-
Sometimes also referred to as a spiral-bound or binder-ready textbook, loose-leaf textbooks are available to purchase. This three-hole punched, unbound version of the book costs less than a hardcover or paperback book.
-
-
-
We can help! Contact your representative to discuss your specific needs for your course. If our off-the-shelf course materials don’t quite hit the mark, we also offer custom solutions made to fit your needs.
-
High Structure Course Design
Grounded in evidence and classroom experience, this practical guide offers STEM instructors actionable strategies to design more effective, inclusive, and engaging courses. Drawing from the STEM education literature and lessons learned from teaching over 8,500 students, author Justin Shaffer shares a research-informed approach to creating high-structure learning environments.
Whether you’re new to teaching or looking to refine your existing course design, this book provides adaptable tools to promote active learning, improve student performance, and build community in and beyond the classroom. Insights from Shaffer’s own education research program make complex pedagogical concepts accessible and immediately applicable.
Perfect for college-level instructors across STEM disciplines, this resource empowers educators to elevate student engagement and support academic success with methods proven to work.
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