Many teachers use content-centered approaches to instruction, but the author advocates a learning-centered approach where courses are developed to create significant learning experiences for students. Fink draws upon existing concepts in the literature on college teaching (active learning, educative assessment), adds some new ideas (a taxonomy of significant learning, a teaching strategy theory), and shows how to systematically combine these in a way that results in powerful learning experiences for students.

The book presents valuable conceptual and procedural tools for teachers in their work of designing instruction. Acquiring a deeper understanding of the design process will empower teachers to creatively design courses for significant learning in a variety of circumstances and settings.

L. Dee Fink, Ph.D.

ISBN-13: 978-0787960551; 2003; 320 pages; hardcover

ISBN-10: 0-7879-6055-1;