Cultivating Creativity in your Course Design and Students Learning Experiences
New dates announced!
Upcoming Events
Beyond the Pyramid: Rethinking Bloom’s Taxonomy
Join us for an engaging, discussion-based workshop that challenges traditional interpretations of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Building on Dr. Richard Mayer’s recent Speaking of Higher Ed podcast interview, we’ll explore critiques of the familiar “pyramid” model and consider how learning science—including cognitive theory and multimedia learning—can inform more flexible and inclusive course design. Participants will leave with tools and strategies for crafting meaningful learning objectives and classroom experiences.
Pre-work (asynchronous homework)
Listen to Speaking of Higher Ed — “Dr. Richard Mayer: Insights on Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy and Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning.” (56 mins)
Before the session, reflect on the following questions (10-15 mins):
- What did you find most surprising or thought-provoking about Mayer’s critique or revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy?
- How does Mayer’s discussion of Bloom’s Taxonomy and cognitive learning theories shift the way you think about ‘levels’ of learning?
- How might Mayer’s ideas influence the way you design learning outcomes or assessments in your own teaching?
Open to JHU affiliates – graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty & staff
Date: Tuesday, November 4th
Time: Noon-1 PM ET (If in person, please arrive 10 minutes early so that you can get settled and help yourself to pizza before we begin the session at noon.)
Format: 1-hour synchronous workshop (via Zoom or in person with Pizza! Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, Greenhouse Conference Room (110), Homewood Campus
Past Events
October 2024
Episode # 506: “How to Use High Structure Course Design to Heighten Learning”
In this episode of Teaching in Higher Ed, Justin Shaffer discusses the importance of high-structure course design, especially in STEM fields. He explains how well-organized courses—those with clear expectations, pre-class preparation, and active learning—help reduce student confusion and improve learning outcomes. Shaffer also shares his personal experience using these methods, emphasizing the benefits of structured learning for diverse student groups. He highlights strategies such as pre-class assessments and case studies to maintain creativity and engagement within a structured framework.
November 2024
Episode #535: “Interactive Experiences: Shaping the Future of Teaching”
In this episode of Teaching in Higher Ed, Bonni Stachowiak speaks with Andrew Cross and Alyshahn Kara-Virani, co-founders of GooseChase, about designing interactive, experiential learning environments. They reflect on the role of play and storytelling in enhancing learning experiences, contrasting traditional lecture-based teaching with more engaging methods. Cross and Kara-Virani share personal anecdotes highlighting how creating meaningful, playful, and emotionally resonant experiences can significantly improve memory retention and learning outcomes, both inside and outside formal education settings. They discuss the application of the “five E’s” (examination, exploration, explanation, extension, and externalization) to craft meaningful learning experiences. The conversation encourages a playful, adaptive approach to design and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, feedback, and iteration to improve experiences continuously.
December 2024
Episode # 279: Design Thinking in Teaching and Research
In this episode of Teaching in Higher Ed, Bonni Stachowiak interviews Nicola Ulibarri, an assistant professor at UC Irvine, about her journey into design thinking and its impact on research and teaching. Nicola first encountered design thinking during her PhD at Stanford, which sparked her interest in applying it to research productivity. Collaborating with others, she co-founded Creativity in Research, a project aimed at enhancing creativity for researchers through workshops. This initiative led to the development of a book, which emphasizes how design thinking can boost innovation, reduce stress, and foster greater emotional control in research. Nicola and Bonni discuss the role of creativity, imagination, and design thinking in both research and teaching, with a focus on understanding students’ needs and designing solutions that enhance teaching effectiveness.