151 - Designing Impactful Courses Using Self-Determination Theory - with Dan Guberman

About this episode

The episode discusses self-determination theory in course design and grading reform with guest Dan Guberman.

In this episode, Sharona and Boz welcome back Dan Guberman to discuss his new book, Designing Impactful College Courses: Applying Self-Determination Theory to Unleash the Potential of Autonomy-Supportive Learning Environments. The conversation explores how self-determination theory, which is a framework centered on autonomy, competence, and relatedness, provides a powerful lens for understanding both grading reform and course design more broadly. Dan shares his journey from music professor to alternative grading advocate, explains how traditional grading systems often function as tools for behavioral control, and argues that meaningful learning requires environments that foster internal motivation rather than compliance. Along the way, we dive into topics like backwards design, standards-based assessment, late work, intrinsic motivation, and why so many grading decisions are far more arbitrary than we realize. Blending theory with highly practical classroom examples, this episode ultimately challenges all of us to rethink not just how we grade, but how our entire course structure shapes students’ relationships with learning. Links Please note - any books linked here are likely…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sharona Krinsky, Robert Bosley

Guest: Dan Guberman

Topics covered

• self-determination theory
• course design
• grading reform
• autonomy-supportive learning
• intrinsic motivation
• standards-based assessment

Keywords

• self-determination theory
• course design
• grading reform
• autonomy
• intrinsic motivation
• backwards design
• standards-based assessment

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Designing Impactful College Courses: Applying Self-Determination Theory to Unleash the Potential of Autonomy-Supportive Learning Environments

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