Overview
This is the core work of our instructional design support: the planning and organization of the course based on student learning outcomes, and the creation of meaningful assignments, activities, and materials that align to those outcomes. While much of the decision making or results are captured in the alignment map document, the process of facilitating these conversations requires a range of approaches, resources, and tools.
Essential project deliverables
The following documents/templates are considered required deliverables for each of our course projects:
- Alignment map
- DL syllabus
- Communication plan
Other common project tasks
Apart from the work that’s captured in the documents listed above, IDs will frequently also do some of the following:
- Prototype various options for module structures based on a proposed set of typical activities
- Investigate and prototype a complex assignment that makes use of advanced Carmen features or a third-party technology tool
- Create a student-facing course organization visual
- Engage with subject librarian and instructor to find course materials
- Find or create student-facing resources, guides, and job aids to assist them with completing assignments
Alignment map
The alignment map is the collaborative planning tool for planning course outcomes, assignments, activities, and organization based in backward design.
The template
This document is used by the IDs with instructors to guide the backward-design course planning conversations for new (building from scratch, or from a set of outcomes) or revised (making note of how existing assignments and activities align) courses. The template also includes links to credit-hour estimation resources, which should be included in the conversations about planning at the module/activity level.
For guidance about alignment, backward design, and the specific consultation approaches related to this document, refer to the course design resources.