along with reading Team-Based Learning, co-authored by L. Dee Fink,  I  would
recommend Dee Fink's Creating Significant Learning  Experiences.

After Reading the books I was able to succinctly define the learning  goals (
applied here to an MBA level  marketing management  course)


The exercises are formulated to meet various learning goals;
o       Learn and retain  foundational knowledge
o       Apply and transfer  concepts to new applications
o       Interpret and apply  quantitative data
o       Develop and train  critical, analytical,  creative and  practical
thinking
o       Advance and strengthen  problem solving skills
o       Expand  and refine  written and oral communications
o       Integrate fundamentals  with other subjects
o       Cultivate an  understanding of  personal and  social implications
o       Enhance the ability to  assimilate new information

After defining the  learning goals, it follows to design the type of
exercises that will develop and  enhance the learning goals.
Exercise types fall in these main  categories;
    1.  hands on  trial/feedback/reflection/retrial
    2.  class/ team dialog
    3.  skill building proactive activity
    4.  action learning exercises
    5.  problem solving activities
    6.  individual reflection and  articulation
    7.  benchmarking knowledge
    8.  post session reinforcement materials
    9.  real world application
    10. knowledge review and application
    11. evaluation and feedback
I  find when you create an assignment that gets students involved, the issue
is making sure they make it out of the classroom in time for the next  class!

Good  luck in your design,

Maria  Pinochet