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

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-grading-podcast-6385485/151-designing-impactful-courses-using-self-determination-theory-with-dan-guberman.md
Podcast: [The Grading Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-grading-podcast-6385485)
Published: 2026-06-02T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thegradingpod.com/podcast-test-page/151-designing-impactful-courses-using-self-determination-theory-with-dan-guberman
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7148ac1e-99b1-4b47-a889-65de42a3bbc0.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3280

## Resource

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 Amazon Associates links. Clicking on them and purchasing through them helps support the show. Thanks for your support! Use discount code ADC26 to get 30% off of Designing Impactful College Courses Designing Impactful College Courses: Applying Self-termination Theory to Unleash the Potential of Autonomy-Supportive Learning Environments , by Dan Guberman, et al (on Routledge) Teaching Intercultural Competence Through Heavy Metal Music , by Dan Guberman, et al An Urgency of Teachers: the Work of Critical Digital Pedagogy , by Jesse Stommel, et al Course Redesign Cycle (diagram) by Sharona Krinsky an…

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