Learning Science Lab | Design Principles

This comprehensive guide provides strategies and best practices for designing and delivering courses that foster active, inclusive, and professionally relevant learning. Designed for faculty at NYU Stern, it presents evidence-based approaches to foster dynamic learning communities where students, teachers, and external participants actively contribute to the educational experience.

In today’s dynamic business environment, students must move beyond passive content consumption to become self-directed, reflective, and collaborative learners. This site reframes instructional design to support that goal, emphasizing flexible roles and authentic engagement. It covers everything from foundational course structure to advanced topics like multimedia learning principles, digital accessibility, and strategies for student feedback:

• Learning Community: How learners, teachers, and community members can effectively collaborate in multiple, fluid roles to enhance the learning experience
• Communication: Best practices for clear writing, effective visual design, and inclusive tone
• Structuring your course: Methods for developing well-organized syllabi, learning outcomes, and course outlines
• Presentation of new knowledge: Approaches to balance direct instruction with active learning
• Facilitating discussion: Techniques for guiding productive classroom discussions
• Assessment and feedback: Strategies for providing meaningful feedback through various assessment types
• Managing groups: Guidelines for creating and managing effective student collaboration
• Activities: A range of individual and group activities to enhance learning
• Digital Accessibility: Methods to ensure course materials are accessible to all students

Whether you’re refreshing your syllabus, integrating group activities, or rethinking your approach to faculty presence, these materials are meant to be modular, adaptable, and grounded in both pedagogical theory and instructional pragmatism. As you explore, you’ll find actionable guidance for creating environments where all students can thrive—on campus, online, and in the workplace beyond.