Transparent teaching methods help students understand how and why they are learning course content in particular ways. Learn more at https://tilthighered.com/transparency
One way to ensure that your assignment expectations empower students to learn course outcomes is to use the Transparency Framework, a format for communicating assignment outcomes and expectations. Transparent Design empowers students by making plain the connections between your expectations and learning outcomes.
An assignment using the Transparency Framework has three explicit components - Purpose, Task, and Criteria.
The purpose statement the question WHY for students and helps them make explicit connections between the assignment and learning outcomes. It:
The task section of a transparent assignment clearly defines what activities the student should do or perform and should include a list of steps or guidelines, or a recommended sequence for students’ efforts.
The “criteria for success” section defines the characteristics of the finished product for the student. It should:
One way of practicing paradox in your classes is to use the Transparency Framework, a format for communicating assignment outcomes and expectations. In Part 2 of the capstone, you will revise an assignment in your course and make it “more transparent.” The goal is to clarify your expectations for your students and make the purpose, task, and criteria for assessment explicit.
Transparent assignment design plays a key role in setting clear expectations in your course. By revising an assignment to make it more transparent, you will spend less time answering questions about the assignment and possibly free up time to meet with students, further revise your course for transparency, or simply take a moment to breathe!
Follow the steps below to begin implementing transparent design in one of your courses.
This guide is adapted from Creative Commons licensed materials by Mary-Ann Winkelmes and TILT Higher Ed