High Structure Course Design
An Evidence-Based Guide for Designing, Implementing, and Assessing STEM Courses
First Edition
Publication Date: September 01, 2025
Paperback ISBN: 9781319583460
Pages: 168
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...
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
