Model Courses at Reynolds: A Blueprint for Teaching Excellence

In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, where adjunct faculty often face the challenge of stepping into a classroom with little preparation time, consistency in course design is crucial. To address this, Reynolds Community College offers Model Courses—pre-structured, high-quality courses designed to guide instructors and adjuncts. These courses ensure that all students, regardless of instructor, receive a consistent, engaging, and effective learning experience.

What is a Model Course?

A Model Course is an ideal version of a course that includes clear learning objectives, robust content, assessments, and multimedia resources. These courses align with Quality Matters (QM) standards, a nationally recognized benchmark for online and hybrid courses. Created by Reynolds faculty and instructional designers, Model Courses incorporate best teaching practices to enhance learning outcomes.

Model Courses are first developed in an Online Asynchronous (OA), 15-week semester format. Once this foundation is built, the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL), adapts the course for various teaching modes, such as hybrid and in-person formats, and shortened 7-week and 5-week semesters. This process, called “flipping the course,” ensures high standards are applied across all course modes.

Transparency and Accessibility in Teaching

Model Courses at Reynolds integrate the Transparency in Teaching & Learning (TILT) framework, which provides clear instructions and expectations for students. TILT clarifies the purpose, tasks, and criteria for assignments, helping students understand not just what they’re learning, but why they’re learning it. This approach reduces confusion, increases engagement, and enhances learning outcomes.

“I found the course to be engaging and informative, and I appreciate the effort put into making the material accessible and relevant.” - a Reynolds student

For instructors, Model Courses provide a structured, ready-to-use design, allowing them to focus on teaching rather than course development. Critical elements such as rubrics, learning outcomes, and assessments are already in place, freeing up time for instructors to personalize their teaching while maintaining a high-quality course.

Why Model Courses?

With over 80% of Reynolds faculty being adjuncts, Model Courses provide essential support to instructors who are often working professionals and assigned to teach foundational courses, such as math and English. These courses give adjuncts ready-made, quality content that meets institutional standards.

“I felt that the material was presented in a clear and easy-to-understand format.” - a Reynolds student

Model Courses also address equity gaps by ensuring all students receive the same high-quality education, regardless of the instructor. They are designed with inclusivity in mind, fostering an equitable learning environment that supports diverse learners and helps close opportunity gaps in critical gateway courses.

Instructor and Student Perspectives

Instructors who have used Model Courses appreciate the structure and clarity they provide. Nicole Terry, Program Head of Paralegal Studies, shared her positive experience: "I love the Model Course design. It gives me a solid structure, so I know exactly what I’m asking of my students. The feedback from students has been positive—they appreciate the thoughtful assignments that feel relevant to real-life situations. They’ve told me they no longer feel like they’re doing busy work but engaging in meaningful tasks that apply to the course."

Instructors also benefit from streamlined grading with pre-designed rubrics. As Nicole Terry mentioned, rubrics save time and ensure consistent grading across sections. Once a course is developed, instructors can reuse it in future semesters, simplifying their workload.

“Overall, this course was fantastic and motivated me to pursue further studies in this field.” - a Reynolds student

Student feedback on the Model Courses has been very positive. One student remarked:
“This is the first class I’ve had where the discussion feels like an actual conversation. Most of my other courses have discussions where everyone agrees, but here, I feel like I’m able to express my opinions. It’s exciting because I’m better at writing my thoughts down, and this course is helping me develop skills for future debates.”

Getting Involved

Reynolds encourages faculty to explore Model Courses as a tool to enhance their teaching. Information about Model Courses can be found on the CETL website, in the Faculty Hub on Canvas, and through newsletters such as "Teaching & Learning Corner" and "Adjunct Avenue." Faculty are also invited to attend CETL events to learn more about how Model Courses can improve student outcomes and streamline their teaching process.

By adopting Model Courses, Reynolds empowers instructors with the tools they need to succeed and ensures every student has access to high-quality education. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a new adjunct, Model Courses offer a solid framework for delivering effective, engaging, and equitable instruction.