2017-18 Teaching and Learning Excellence Division Calendar: Sustainable
Assignments for Student Engagement and Meaningful Learning
For July, the Teaching & Learning Excellence Division calendar: “Producing Sustainable
Assignments for Student Engagement” focuses on publishing an article as a type of
sustainable assignment. One of the goals of teaching and learning excellence is to
create engaging learning experiences for students. Traditional assignments typically
end when they are graded. Sustainable assignments, on the other hand, can provide
meaningful learning experiences that last beyond the classroom.
Teach your students about the publishing, researching, and writing process. Students
can research and write their articles individually or as a group on a chosen topic.
Drafting an article can be a semester-long project that culminates in submission for
publication.
Provide a rubric to guide their writing. Create a list of possible journals for submission. While acceptance is not guaranteed, the class can create an online website to self-
publish their written articles and invite feedback from outside of the classroom. Subsequent courses can add their own articles to keep building the collection.
If you’re an ACC faculty member interested in using sustainable assignments for your
class, contact a TLED instructional designer.