Instructional design (ID) is an intentional process that helps create an organized and thoughtful learning experience in all modalities including in-person, online, and hybrid courses. Of the many research-based instructional design models available for course design, we have selected Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) as the primary model to be used in this handbook. Backward Design is explained in more detail in the Resources section.
For more help with designing new online courses, or moving face-to-face courses online, visit our website: Online Course Development.
As a design tool, you can use a course map visualize your course. Create a course map to guide your design choices. A course map can show alignment between course-level outcomes and your module learning objectives, content topics, assessments, assignments, types of learning materials, and technologies.
Planning an Effective Course Design
Ideally, all course components should be completed BEFORE the course is viewable to students (three calendar days before start date). Consider the following list as a guide for your course design process.
Create a timeline.
- Set a target date for when you will complete your course development.
- Set progress benchmarks at regular intervals.
- It is ideal to have at least one semester to create an online course from conceptualization to completion.
Outline the course.
- Get a big picture idea of what you want your course to be. Consider where it fits in the program.
- Consider your students. What prior knowledge are you expecting your students to have for this course?
- What will the course “look” like? What will students master by the end of the course and what are the major topics and concepts covered?
- What are the learning materials, assessments, academic technologies, and instructional media needed?
Gather the appropriate course design tools.
- Use either the Quality Matters Rubric or the OLC Scorecards.
- The instructional design team is trained in Quality Matters and OLC. Schedule a consultation to discuss which course design tool would be best suited for your needs and review your course design plans.
- Request a copy of the Quality Matters Workbook from the SCSU Online department.
Consider your instructional elements.
- What are your student learning outcomes?
- How will you assess your students?
- What materials and activities will you use to help students achieve the outcomes?
- Do course materials meet the accessibility requirements of the institution?
- Accessibly formatted documents and captioning for video- and audio-based media.
- What instructional strategies will meet your objectives?
- Use a course map to help with alignment.
Consider structure and flow.
- What topics are essential for this course?
- How should the topics flow? Examples: chronologically, simple to complex, or theory to practice?
Get technical training as needed.