Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses
![ACUE's course badge for Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/designing.png)
Duration
6 - 8 weeks
Enrollment Fee
$695.00
Course Content
6 Modules
Delivery
100% Online
Cohort-based
Path to
Certification
Overview
Design more learner-centered courses with aligned assessments, assignments, and learning experiences that offer students clarity around what they are learning and how they will be assessed. ACUE’s course Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses supports instructors who are building a course from the ground up as well as those teaching predesigned courses.
In a matter of weeks, you can learn and implement practices that elevate your teaching and propel student success. Designed for all types of faculty, the evidence-based teaching practices found within this course can be implemented in an online, hybrid, or classroom learning environment.
This fully online course is offered throughout the year and is one step in the pathway to becoming certified in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework, which is the only teaching certification endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). If you have interest in purchasing for a group of faculty please contact courses@acue.org.
Course Content
Competencies addressed in this course are aligned with the Effective Teaching Practice Framework.
Individuals should plan to spend 2-3 hours a week on course work.
Ensuring Learner-Centered Course Outcomes
Learn how to write course learning outcomes that effectively define what students will know and be able to do at the end of a course. The module introduces a number of steps to ensure outcomes are student-centered, actionable, and aligned – when appropriate – to program, department, and institutional outcomes.
Designing Aligned Assessments and Assignments
Learn how to design assessments that will most effectively and efficiently allow students to demonstrate mastery of course outcomes. In addition, the module includes practices for supporting students to meet assessment expectations.
Aligning Learning Experiences with Course Outcomes
Learn how to identify and sequence learning activities so students are prepared to meet course outcomes. In addition, faculty learn how to design transparent assignments that help students successfully complete assignments – especially those who often struggle to meet expectations.
Creating Equity with Checklists and Rubrics
Learn the basics of several grading systems in order to identify the system that best aligns with your own teaching and learning philosophy. In addition, the module includes information on effectively communicating grading practices to students and setting grading policies for late assignments and extra credit.
Developing Equitable Grading Practices
Learn how to select a grading tool that aligns to task requirements and offers students helpful feedback. In addition, the module includes practices for helping students understand how to use different grading tools to your benefit and helping instructors understand how to use data generated from your grading tools to inform instruction.
Preparing an Inclusive Syllabus
Learn how to design a syllabus that communicates essential information and facilitates student success. The module includes a checklist and guiding questions to help instructors identify essential items and important resources. It also provides practices for designing calendars to assist students in meeting key deliverables and building a graphic syllabus to help students visualize the organization of the course.
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Next Course Start Dates
NEW! Anytime | Self-Paced
October 19, 2024
January 25, 2025
March 29, 2025
May 31, 2025
Enrollment Fee
Discounts are available for purchasing the courses required to complete the Certification or Advanced Certification in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework
-
4 Courses
$2,295
Purchase four courses at a $485 discount
-
3 Courses
$1,750
Purchase three courses at a $335 discount
-
2 Courses
$1,180
Purchase two courses at $210 discount
-
1 Course
$695
Purchase one course at full price
Complete Your Certification Pathway
Purchase the four courses that stack to the Certification in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework for a 15% discount.
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/icon-certification-course-acue.png)
Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment
7 - 8 weeks
Self-Paced, Cohort-based
7 Modules
Online
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/icon-certification-course-acue.png)
Promoting Active Learning Online
6 - 8 weeks
Self-Paced, Cohort-based
6 Modules
Online
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/icon-certification-course-acue.png)
Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning in Your Online Course
6 - 8 weeks
Self-Paced, Cohort-based
6 Modules
Online
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/icon-certification-course-acue.png)
Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses
6 - 8 weeks
Self-Paced, Cohort-based
6 Modules
Online
Meet the Experts Behind Your Learning Journey
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/joe.png)
Joe Feldman
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tracie.png)
Tracie Addy, PhD
![](https://learn.acue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/thomas.png)
Thomas A. Angelo, EdD
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enroll in ACUE’s Certification courses?
ACUE’s Certification courses are most impactful when you are actively teaching at least one college-level course, whether face-to-face, hybrid, or online. ACUE courses are relevant to educators across all disciplines teaching at all types of institutions.
All courses are subject to the ACUE Terms and Conditions. If you’re not sure these courses are for you, please email courses@acue.org to discuss your situation.
What happens if I need to change my enrollment?
Please review our enrollment policy page for details on managing your enrollment.
How do you enroll a group of educators from an institution?
Institutions may register a group of faculty in ACUE’s cohort-based Certification courses by contacting the program director at courses@acue.org. Depending on the group enrollment size, course-takers may be split between multiple cohorts of the same course.
Please note: Institutions that enroll course-takers in courses are subject to the cancellation, deferment, and forfeiture of fees listed on our enrollment policy page, and self-paced courses are not available for purchase by an institution.
Faculty groups should also consider ACUE’s Programs for Institutions. ACUE’s campus and system partnerships are formed through a collaborative process with a broad set of institutional stakeholders. ACUE’s Programs for Institutions include academic support, advanced reporting, impact research at both faculty and student levels, and campus culture and communications support.
Are there deadlines to purchase?
The enrollment deadline for individual purchase of a cohort-based course is 3 days prior to the course start date. The enrollment deadline for institutional small groups is 10 business days prior to the course start date, subject to course availability.
Enrollments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is recommended.
Self-paced courses may be purchased and started at any time.
What is the difference between cohort-based and self-paced Certification courses?
Cohort-based and self-paced Certification courses each offer distinct advantages tailored to different learning preferences. Both approaches meet the requirements for ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification. Both course formats include the same course content, downloadable resources, and access period.
Cohort-Based Courses | Self-Paced Courses |
Be part of a community of learners from diverse disciplines and institutions. | Be an independent learner. |
Start dates are available multiple times each year so the cohort progresses at the same pace through the course. | Course-takers may start and progress through the modules at their convenience within a set timeframe for maximum schedule flexibility. |
Share resources and gain insights from collective experiences and student success stories. |
|
How do I express interest in a specific course and start date if I’m not able to pay today?
You may express interest in a cohort-based Certification course with a future start date, even if you’re unable to pay today. Submit your application here. Confirmation of your application will include enrollment and payment details. Payment must be received before confirming your enrollment in the course. The deadline for payment submission for your chosen start date is the Friday preceding the Saturday course start date.
Do I need to be actively teaching to enroll in a Certification course?
ACUE’s Certification courses are most impactful when actively teaching at least one college-level course, whether face-to-face, online, or hybrid.
How do you earn the Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification or Advanced Certification?
To earn the Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification, you must complete four courses: Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment, Promoting Active Learning, Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners, and Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses. You may take these courses in either the Effective Teaching Practices (ETP) Pathway, the Effective Online Teaching Practices (EOTP) Pathway, or a combination of both modalities.
To earn the Advanced Certification in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework you must complete Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment, Promoting Active Learning, Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners in both ETP and EOTP.
What makes ACUE’s Certification courses unique?
One aspect that sets ACUE apart from traditional development courses is that course-takers select at least one new practice to implement in each module. The opportunity to apply your learning and reflect on the impact to students leads to transformation.
“The only way you’re going to learn something new is to do it. You have to apply what you’ve learned … then reflect on what worked well, what needs tweaking in the future, what [you’ve] missed….”
—Stephen Brookfield
One aspect that sets ACUE apart from traditional development courses is that course-takers select at least one new practice to implement in each module. The opportunity to apply your learning and reflect on the impact to students leads to transformation.
What does each Certification course include?
- Certification courses are comprised of six or seven online learning modules. Each module addresses a competency defined in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework. Successfully completing a Certification course earns a course badge which can stack with other ACUE courses to earn the Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification.
- The Fostering a Culture of Belonging course is a deeper dive into inclusive practices. This course contains four modules and does not apply toward the ACUE Certification or Advanced Certification in the Effective Teaching Practice Framework. This course is not available in a self-paced format.
- Modules are content rich and include demonstration videos, interviews with leading experts, curated planning guides, and other resources.
- Downloadable implementation guides and resources are provided to support learning and implementation of recommended practices.
- Cohort-based courses also include:
- A synchronous and facilitated 1.25-hour course launch on Zoom. Course facilitation is supplied by an expert in teaching and learning with whom you will share insights and ideas along with other educators in your cohort.
Which course should I take first?
There is no set order to take Certification courses. Each course description includes module titles and short descriptions that may help you determine which one is of most interest to you at this time.
Creating an Inclusive and Supportive (Online) Learning Environment, Promoting Active Learning (Online), and Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning (in Your Online Course) are structured such that you engage with the course content, identify a practice, implement this practice with your current students, and then reflect upon the student impact of the new or modified practice selected.
Designing Learner-Centered and Equitable Courses is the exception. This course is focused on working with your course documents, applying the concepts learned in the modules to those documents, and reflecting on the process and the impact on student success in your course. You may find it beneficial to take this course after the others so that you can take the knowledge from the modules in the other courses and apply it as you work on developing outcomes and assessments.
What are the policies regarding the purchase of multiple enrollments?
Discounts for purchasing multiple courses in the same order will be applied in the cart upon checkout.
When purchasing the four Certification courses, start dates for all courses must be selected prior to the start date of the first course. Course dates may be adjusted consistent with ACUE’s deferment policy. We suggest taking one course at a time when actively teaching at least one course. You have 18 months to complete the four Certification courses. Bundled courses are non-transferrable.
When purchasing multiple self-paced Certification courses in the same order, you will need to determine the order in which you want to access them. This ensures each course remains available for the appropriate duration. If you choose to take two courses concurrently, you will have 8 weeks to complete both.
How long will it take to complete a Certification course or Fostering a Culture of Belonging?
Course-takers report it takes approximately 2–3 hours to successfully complete each module. This typical time commitment includes time to review module content, engage in online discussions with colleagues (for cohort-based courses), plan and implement a practice, and complete a written reflection. Most Certification courses contain six or seven modules that will collectively require 12–18 hours to complete over a 6–8-week period. You will be given 8 weeks to complete the course.
The Fostering a Culture of Belonging course contains four modules and the estimated time to complete is 2–3 hours per week (4–6 hours per module) over an 8-week period. This course opens a new module every 2 weeks.
Can I take more than one Certification course at a time?
We strongly recommend taking one Certification course at a time. Each week you will be asked to learn new research-based practices, implement them in your courses, and reflect on your practice. The one–module–a–week pacing allows you and your students to benefit from a deep focus on that module’s practices before moving on to additional topics and practices.
Cohort-based Certification course start dates are established so it is possible to start the next course within 2 weeks of completing the previous course, allowing you to earn the Effective Teaching Practice Framework Certification within 9 months.
Are courses available to international course-takers?
Yes, courses are available to international course-takers. ACUE courses are taught, facilitated, administered, and supported in English.
What type of course support is provided?
In cohort-based courses, an ACUE instructor will provide support throughout your course, including facilitating virtual discussions in LMS discussion boards. In addition, instructors will respond to any support needs within 24 hours.
Technical assistance is also available by emailing support@acue.org. For additional information about course accessibility, please review our Statement of Accessibility.
Is there a language requirement?
ACUE courses are taught, facilitated, administered, and supported in English. To get the most out of your experience, proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.
How is the course assessed?
To satisfy module requirements and earn a badge, course-takers complete a written reflection that meets specified criteria outlined in a rubric made available to all course-takers.
Who do I contact with questions?
Please contact courses@acue.org with questions about Certification courses.