Sample Lecture Learning Objectives, Vacant to Vibrant
10-Hour Course
Vacant to Vibrant Sample Learning Objectives (10-Hour Course) Textbook Albro, Sandra L. 2019. Vacant to Vibrant: Creating Successful Green Infrastructure Networks. Washington, DC: Island Press. 190 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1-61091-900-5 Relationship Between Course Learning Goals and Learning Objectives The sample 10-Hour Course consists of nine hours of instructional time and one hour of exam time. The three course learning goals are reinforced through 26 learning objectives, with two or three objectives addressed during each class hour. In addition, one learning goal/objective familiarizes students with course practices and is unrelated to content knowledge. Course Learning Goal 0: Understand Course Practices (excluded from Exam) Learning Objective 1.1 Course Learning Goal 1: Explain the potential benefits and challenges of green infrastructure in urban planning. Learning Objective 1.2 (prerequisite) Learning Objectives 2.2, 2.3, 8.1, 8.3, 9.1 Course Learning Goal 2: Explain the multidisciplinary processes involved in developing, carrying out, and sustaining urban green infrastructure projects.
Learning Objective 2.1 (prerequisite) Learning Objectives 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 8.2, 9.2
Course Learning Goal 3: Use knowledge of organizational, historical, social, environmental, and economic context to solve green infrastructure planning and design challenges.
Learning Objectives 1.3, 3.1, 3.2 (prerequisites) Learning Objectives 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.2, 6.3, 7.3, 9.3
Implementation of Learning Objectives The list below shows the relationship between instructional time and learning objectives. The bracketed number after each learning objective refers to its associated course learning goal [0–3] or prerequisite [pre-1–3], as described above. 1
Sample Lecture Learning Objectives, Vacant to Vibrant
10-Hour Course
Lesson 1: Course Introduction & Urban Vacant Land 1.1. Explain the goals, student expectations, and schedule for this course [0] 1.2. Compare and contrast different types of green infrastructure [pre-1] 1.3. Describe historical and ongoing dynamics leading to urban land vacancy [pre-3] Lesson 2: Stormwater Management 2.1. Describe changing approaches to managing urban vacant land [pre-2] 2.2. Identify factors that have facilitated greater use of green infrastructure for stormwater management [1] 2.3. Explain the relative benefits and drawbacks of large installations and distributed systems for stormwater management [1] Lesson 3: Role of Urban Dynamics 3.1. Give examples of the influences of cultural history and neighborhood context on the prevalence and location of urban vacant land [pre-3] 3.2. Give examples of the influences of land use history and physical factors on potential uses of urban vacant land [pre-3] 3.3. Investigate the history of U.S. cities to explain observed differences in urban vacant land use [3] Lesson 4: Planning: Site Selection & Design 4.1. Describe a top-down approach to site selection for green infrastructure pilot projects [2] 4.2. Apply predetermined selection criteria to identify suitable neighborhoods for a green infrastructure pilot project [3] 4.3. Link site information with selection criteria for plants and other design elements to develop a suitable site plan [3] Lesson 5: Planning: Community Engagement 5.1. Explain the relevance of community engagement in green infrastructure planning [2]
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Sample Lecture Learning Objectives, Vacant to Vibrant
10-Hour Course
5.2. Give examples of concerns among members of economically disadvantaged communities that can influence project design [2] 5.3. Modify a design plan based on negative community feedback [3] Lesson 6: Implementation: Project Installation 6.1. Explain actions needed to translate project designs into physical reality [2] 6.2. Develop a set of criteria for selecting contractors for installation and maintenance [3] 6.3. Determine key project features to be included in a request for contractor bids [3] Lesson 7: Implementation: Design Modifications & Maintenance 7.1. Describe potential logistical challenges requiring design modifications during or after installation [2] 7.2. Describe potential social challenges requiring design modifications after installation [2] 7.3. Modify the design of an installation based on observation and negative community feedback [3] Lesson 8: Sustaining Green Infrastructure 8.1. Explain how maintenance and plant choices affect the continuance of green infrastructure installations [1] 8.2. Describe examples of successful community stabilization efforts associated with green infrastructure projects [2] 8.3. Explain how factors such as professional networks, class assumptions, and racial assumptions can influence the success of green infrastructure projects [1] Lesson 9: Scaling Up Green Infrastructure 9.1. Explain the technical, structural, and social challenges involved in broadening the use of green infrastructure [1] 9.2. Describe methods for evaluating the cost effectiveness of green infrastructure projects [2]
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Sample Lecture Learning Objectives, Vacant to Vibrant
10-Hour Course
9.3. Outline an action plan to facilitate broader adoption of low-maintenance green infrastructure [3]
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Green Infrastructure: Sample 10-Hour Syllabus
Course Description Green infrastructure uses natural ecological processes to address environmental and social challenges in urban environments. Urban planners are increasingly seeking to use green infrastructure to provide ecosystem services such as stormwater management to local communities, and the range of possible benefits and design options continues to expand. This course will use the Vacant to Vibrant project, a green infrastructure project spanning three U.S. Midwest cities, as an extended case study to draw out broader themes in urban planning, design, and sustainability. After an introduction to urban land vacancy, stormwater management, and neighborhood dynamics, we will discuss the processes involved in project planning, design, implementation, and longterm maintenance. Finally, we will address opportunities and challenges related to scaling green infrastructure pilot projects beyond the neighborhood level. Course Learning Goals By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain the potential benefits and challenges of green infrastructure in urban planning. 2. Explain the multidisciplinary processes involved in developing, carrying out, and sustaining urban green infrastructure projects. 3. Use knowledge of organizational, historical, social, environmental, and economic context to solve green infrastructure planning and design challenges. Course Expectations Required Textbook Albro, Sandra L. 2019. Vacant to Vibrant: Creating Successful Green Infrastructure Networks. Washington, DC: Island Press. 190 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1-61091-900-5 [Clarification of expectations with regards to, e.g., requests for disability accommodations, course format, timeliness of completing assessments, make-up work for missed class time, etc., can be included based on instructor’s preferences and institutional requirements.]
Green Infrastructure
10-hour Syllabus
Grading Point Distribution Students will earn points through three main routes during the course, as shown in the table. Each evaluation item is described in more detail below. Evaluation Exam Reading Quizzes Class Participation TOTAL
Number 1 2 9
Points 50 6 2
Total Points Distribution 50 62.5% 12 15% 18 22.5% 80 100%
Exam A one-hour final exam worth 50 points will be administered after the completion of nine class hours. Exam questions may include multiple choice, short written answers, and problem-solving scenarios. On each regular class day, the lecture presentation will begin with three learning goals to provide guidance to students as to the knowledge and/or skills that will be tested during the exam. A study guide will also be provided during the final hour of regular class. Reading Quizzes Brief quizzes related to the assigned reading will be announced at the start of two regular classes to be determined by the instructor. Each quiz will consist of six multiple choice questions. Class Participation On each regular class day, students will earn one point for attendance and one additional point for verbal contributions to the class. Examples of contributions include questions, answers to instructor or student questions, or sharing additional information with the class about relevant prior experiences or current events. Grading Scale The total number of points a student has accumulated at the end of the semester determines their final grade for the course, as shown in the table below. Letter Grade
Minimum Earned Points 2
Minimum Percent
Green Infrastructure
10-hour Syllabus
A B C D
72 64 56 48
90% 80% 70% 60%
Anticipated Schedule Items in the “Assigned Reading� column should be completed no later than the next class period (next row). Class Hour 1
Mon
2 3
Wed Fri
Stormwater Management
4 5 6 7
Mon Wed Fri Mon
8 9
Wed Fri
Planning: Site Selection & Design Planning: Community Engagement Implementation: Project Installation Implementation: Design Modifications & Maintenance Sustaining Green Infrastructure Scaling Up Green Infrastructure
10
Mon
Exam
Day
Topic Course Introduction & Urban Vacant Land
Role of Urban Dynamics
3
Assigned Reading Syllabus Albro, pp. 1-16 Albro, pp. 17-36 Albro, pp. 37-58, Appendix Albro, pp. 58-70 Albro, pp. 71-89 Albro, pp. 90-104 Albro, pp. 105-124 Albro, pp. 125-145 Exam Study Guide