NFE 3 – Listen, Refine, Stay Relevant

Backward Design from . . .

I find it helpful to backward design the learning activities in my classes by listening to:

  • Your experiences and knowledge
  • What has been working with students?
  • Program learning outcomes
  • Job postings for your field (and a little beyond)
  • College learning outcomes and soft skills (successabilities)

Program Learning outcomes should be built from

  • Job postings and employers’ needs
  • Advisory Committee
  • Your Experiences as a professional

Listen

  • To your own gut instincts (I feel students really need to know this . . .)
  • Challenge your own gut instincts, too (I love teaching this, but it’s no longer relevant)
  • To the people and organizations hiring your graduates (job posting, advisory committee, tours, visits, etc.)
  • Other instructors (in or out of your field)
  • Research into the labor stats of your field (AI can help; ask for hard URL source links)