Course Design

Effective course design can help streamline and facilitate student learning processes and ensure that a course runs smoothly throughout a semester. It can also help reduce student confusion and frustration, clarify expectations regarding assignments and tests, and maximize student learning by aligning three important teaching principles--learning outcomes, assessments, and instructional strategies. During the course design process, it is also important to consider other issues such as timing, logistics, and situational constraints. Backward design or beginning with the end in mind methods are useful in that they are student-centered design approaches focusing on student learning. Universal design principles help ensure that courses facilitate the learning of all learners, take student diversity into account, and fully include students with disabilities