Rewrite your learning goals.
The Syllabus Challenge provides critically reflective questions and practical ideas for inclusive teaching in action. As I mentioned in the Tip #1 issue, no matter the discipline, this one could apply to you. Tip #1 focused on updating our terminology and phrasing throughout the syllabus. For tip #2, I want to move into the realm of looking at those learning goals you have listed at the front page of your syllabus. How old are they? Have you changed them in the last 2 years? Some of my learning goals get rolled over for each new semester. I regret to say I sometimes forget to take the time to update them.
Tip #2 = Rewrite your learning goals
But what if we took a look at our learning goals through an inclusive pedagogy lens? What if we even attempted to update those goals through a critical race theory and intersectional lens?
Rather than view learning goals as something we have to include because accrediting bodies and assessment plans require them, we can think of learning goals as one of our greatest opportunities to draw students in and get them excited about learning. Does that sound too far-fetched?
Let’s try a few of the tips from the Syllabus Challenge and apply them to a set of learning goals. When I present these ideas to faculty, the before and after examples tend to help bring things to life.
The following subset of learning goals were pulled from a random, but quite typical, Biology syllabus.
Biology syllabus learning goals
The student will:
* Outline the relationships between genes, inheritable traits and gene expression patterns.
* Relate key biological themes to examples found in the natural world.
* Explain how scientists learn more about the world around them, and the changing nature of scientific information.
The first point is to say there is nothing inherently wrong or harmful about these learning goals. In fact, they are perfectly good learning goals for this Biology course. However, if we apply the principles of inclusive practices that aim to reduce equity gaps and increase student success, we can alter these a bit. Consider the following tweaks to these learning goals.
(more inclusive) Biology syllabus learning goals
As members of this learning community, we will:
* Outline the relationships between a person’s genetic code and traits such as eye color or which hand is dominant.
* Relate key biological themes to examples found in the natural world, including our/your family & community.
* Explain how bias and lack of diverse perspectives can negatively influence scientific interpretations.
okay, your turn!
What tweaks could you make to your learning goals based on the ideas in the Syllabus Challenge?
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