How can courses be designed to support neurodivergent learners?

STEM Course Design Series: Overview

In this episode Justin walks you through the basics of high structure course design, what it is, where it came from, and how to start thinking about designing or re-designing your own courses. This episode will serve as a foundation for future episodes in the series. Check out Justin's book [https://www.amazon.com/High-Structure-Course-Design-Evidence-Based/dp/1319583466/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KF42JJBWK2HC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D9c34m1JWwqY853iro2hYse-njvUb0GKXrWGxSdXQOjXIotYU8Eqxng5O1Ho-wQwkKnGOq9V7902dvCjDwrk95XbUtKIHbcxV2CTD442THSmhEovUBRBnGuqc8zieIaygZlWqkt_lfBZ1jEByYdZy7TlmMKC20N3DDsKDoyvV0qoyOBbrSY9sagr99EGe64bpVDtd4IcCRetFbRhV3A_77IxeLIU3C9RutTZJu1me8o.fVLkOLQ4dslVpbCDGNygRGAoLY3-1GozkuuwHbQK3FU&dib_tag=se&keywords=high+structure+course+design&qid=1781025831&sprefix=high+structue%2Caps%2C350&sr=8-1] on High Structure Course Design Check out Justin's card decks [https://recombinanteducation.myshopify.com] to help with course design and student learning Here is a link [https://teaching.virginia.edu/collections/high-structure-course-design] to some free resources on high structure at the UVA Teaching Hub Here is the "original" structure paper [https://www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.06-09-0194] by Scott Freeman and Mary Pat Wenderoth And another [https://www.lifescied.org/doi/10.1187/cbe.10-08-0105] great one by Scott and Mary Pat Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question! [http://recombinanteducation.com/podcast] Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together. [www.recombinanteducation.com] www.recombinanteducation.com [http://www.recombinanteducation.com]

STEM Course Design Series: Intro

This is an introduction to the forthcoming summer STEM course design podcast series! Listen in over the next two months to learn all about STEM course design and how to give your courses a strong foundation so that your students can have an outstanding experience. Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question! [http://recombinanteducation.com/podcast] Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together. [www.recombinanteducation.com] www.recombinanteducation.com [http://www.recombinanteducation.com]

How do I get my students to care about the topics in my class?

Taylor Darwin joins the show to talk with Justin about how to engage your students in the classroom – not necessarily about what to do in a typical 50 minute class, but rather how to engage them in the subject matter writ large (especially if it is a mandatory class that they have little interest in). Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question! [http://recombinanteducation.com/podcast] Learn more about expectancy value theory here [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expectancy-value_theory]. Check out this paper [https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fpspp0000075] on how utility value can improve student outcomes in introductory biology. Dr. Taylor Darwin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-darwin-ph-d-57b036233/] is a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics at Tarleton State University and an experienced mathematics educator whose work spans secondary, two-year, and four-year institutional contexts. Her professional background integrates teaching, research, and large-scale institutional change aimed at improving student access and success in mathematics. Dr. Darwin’s research centers on improving mathematics learning experiences for rural and underserved populations, designing and evaluating corequisite models, and supporting systemic reform in developmental education. She also explores emerging areas in mathematics education, including the use of artificial intelligence to support personalized learning and faculty professional development, as well as collaborative university–school partnerships that elevate teacher leadership and context-responsive instructional design. Her research agenda is informed in part by her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California, where she deepened her expertise in learning sciences and technology-enhanced education.   Across her previous roles and in her teaching experience, Dr. Darwin has focused on designing active learning environments and supporting faculty in shifting from traditional lecture-based instruction toward more student-centered, interactive approaches. Her work has contributed to multiple grant-funded initiatives focused on STEM access, equity, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together. [www.recombinanteducation.com] www.recombinanteducation.com [http://www.recombinanteducation.com]

What is the best way to form student groups?

Justin is joined by SPECIAL GUEST HOST Kelsey Metzger Metzbertsel to answer an age-old question about the best way to form student groups! Justin was sure glad to have Kelsey as a group partner to work through this toughie! Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question! [http://recombinanteducation.com/podcast] Kelsey Metzger – Dr. KJAM to her students – is a professor in the Center for Learning Innovation and the director of faculty development at the University of Minnesota Rochester where she was a founding faculty member. Across her efforts in research, teaching, and service, Kelsey’s core value is using evidence to advance knowledge and practice in support of equitable and inclusive student learning, development, and wellbeing. Learn more about the CATME grouping tool here [https://info.catme.org/features/team-maker/]. Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together. [www.recombinanteducation.com] www.recombinanteducation.com [http://www.recombinanteducation.com]

My students are resistant to active learning!

Justin is joined by Lauren Stoczynski to discuss the age-old question of how to handle student resistance when it comes to active learning and structured course design. While a tough nut to crack, I guarantee you won't face any resistance with enjoying this episode! :) Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question! [http://recombinanteducation.com/podcast] Lauren Stoczynski is an assistant professor of biological and environmental sciences at Le Moyne College. Learn more about Lauren on her LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-stoczynski-phd-33248b65/] page. Check out Episode 4 for an overview of high structure course design. I have lots of papers on the literature page [https://www.recombinanteducation.com/literature/] of my website about student resistance and other barriers to using active learning and evidence-based course design. Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together. [www.recombinanteducation.com] www.recombinanteducation.com [http://www.recombinanteducation.com]