Recombinant Teaching: STEM Education Office Hours with Dr. Justin Shaffer

STEM Course Design Series: Backward Design and Learning Objectives

June 17, 2026·19 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

As we continue on in the STEM Course Design Series, in this episode Justin gives an overview of the critical importance of starting your course design experience with learning objectives and backward design. Justin also discusses how to write SMART learning objectives, how to scale them up and down Bloom's taxonomy, the importance of both content- and skills-based LOs, and how to unpack LOs.Here is a resource on writing SMART LOs.Here is resource for different verbs to use for writing LOs based on Bloom's Taxonomy.Want to be a part of the show? Submit a question!Check out Justin's book on High Structure Course Design to learn more about backward design and LOs.Check out Justin's card decks to help with course design and student learning.Learn how you, your department, or your institution can work with Justin to improve STEM education together.www.recombinanteducation.com

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