Color–Coded Course Design: Educating and Engaging Faculty to Educate and Engage Students

Marlene M. Preston, Vriginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

License: CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

In a weeklong seminar, “Course Design to Foster Student Engagement and Learning,” faculty created course charts to reflect their various plans for an upcoming semester. With colorful Post-it Notes, they applied theoretical principles of course design. Participating in the kind of active environment they might want to create for students, faculty constructed their charts, rearranged the components to achieve balance across the semester, and discussed the plans with their colleagues. This case study includes the rationale for and description of “Color-Coded Course Design,” a process that allows faculty to recognize and experience the power of an active classroom.