“Considering Course Redesign for the Twenty-First Century Student”

Professors Janice L. Franklin, Adrien Cuellar-McGuire, and Bob Whisnant
Professor Humanities and Music; Professor of Humanities and Cultural Studies; Professor Humanities
Mountain View College, Brookhaven College, Eastfield College
Dallas Community College District

Brief Description:
In February 2007 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) extended an opportunity to Texas colleges and universities to redesign certain existing core curriculum courses with the goals of improving instructor-to-student interaction, expanding enrollment, broadening student learning through enhanced learning styles, and expanding continuous improvement of course materials and methods.

The Dallas County Community College district Humanities discipline faculty committee applied for and received a grant from the THECB to redesign the existing Humanities 1315-Fine Arts Appreciation course. The redesigned course for Humanities 1315 will implement the following changes to better service approximately 5,000 students per calendar year: individualize programs for students learning through differentiated instruction; increase access by providing online any time/any place options; provide more timely feedback for students; and increase time for one-to-one and small group peer activity. Standardizing one program online and using it in multiple formats will make the Humanities 1315 course more feasible.

Unique elements of the Humanities redesign project include the overall design which is modular and thematic, the partnership between the DCCCD colleges, the University of Texas at Dallas , and the DCCCD LeCroy Center for Technology, and the fact that the project is faculty-driven.

What specific things will attendees learn from your session?

• How to carefully examine the course you have, look at its history, and consider the catalogue description.
• How to work with your colleagues and come to a consensus.
• Why you should use Quality Matters and research related to learning in redesigning your course.