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Course Design for Transparency Institute

The institute is centered on the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TiLT) model, a research-based instructional strategy that has shown evidence of

  • higher rates of course completion and retention,
  • increased learning and engagement,
  • greater confidence and motivation, and
  • improved sense of belonging

especially for first generation and other at-risk students.

  Recognizing that students often engage more deeply when they clearly understand the ‘why’ behind an assignment was eye‑opening for me. . . . I am more aware of how much of college is far from self‑explanatory.

- 2025 Participants

During the CDTI, participants will learn and apply techniques to increase transparency in assignments, activities, and your course in general. We will also discuss ways to provide meaningful transparency around course changes to improve buy-in and implementation by other course instructors.

Participants will also learn more about engaging GenZ students and how to forge better connections with them. We will work together to develop useful ways of gathering student feedback, including actionable surveys that can be used across multiple sections, and strategies to quickly analyze and act on that feedback to improve student success. We will also explore using analytics available in your course’s digital tools, including Canvas, to identify and reach out to students who may be struggling early in the semester.

The institute will culminate in the development of 3 deliverables:

  • A template for the course Canvas home page that transparently explains the course purpose and what to expect and guides students through getting started with the course.
  • A semester-long student connection plan including a midsemester survey that provides meaningful opportunities for course adjustment.
  • One high-stakes assignment revised to follow the TiLT format clearly aligned with 1 or more course learning outcomes. 
At the end of the institute, participants will briefly present their work to their peers, highlighting course changes and how those changes will be used across multiple sections.

It inspired me to be more transparent with the way that I present course assignments and materials. The re-design truly reflects a student-centered approach to teaching, By design, the changes that I have implemented are to support student learning.

- 2024 Participant

Schedule and Format

The institute is August 12, 13, 14, and 17 from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in University Library on the IU Indianapolis campus. Lunch will be provided each day.  

The institute includes a mix of instruction, individual work, discussions, and small group work each day. Participants will be working on their chosen course with CTL facilitators and other participants to encourage peer learning, feedback, and support.