Course Design
Digital Learning partners with faculty to design high-quality online and hybrid courses that support student success, engagement, and meaningful learning.
Course design is more than organizing content in Canvas — it is the intentional process of aligning learning outcomes (objectives), assessments, instructional activities, media, and technology to create a clear and effective learning experience.
Our approach is informed by evidence-based teaching practices and course quality standards, including Quality Matters (QM), with emphasis on alignment across learning objectives, assessments, and instructional materials. This process is collaborative — faculty contribute subject matter expertise, while Digital Learning provides instructional design guidance and technical support.
What We Support
Digital Learning can support faculty with:
- Course planning and course redesign
- Syllabus development and alignment
- Course Design Map (CDM) development
- Learning objective design and alignment
- Canvas course structure and organization
- Instructional media planning
- Online teaching strategies
- Quality Matters (QM)-informed course review
- Educational technology consultation
- Accessibility and student experience considerations
General Course Design Workflow
Although requirements may vary by department or program, course design projects generally follow the stages below.
| Phase | Timeframe | What Happens / Your Role | Support Provided | Key Notes / Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 0: Initial Meeting & Planning | Flexible | Kickoff meeting to:
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Instructional Designer facilitation and guidance | Outcome: Shared understanding of course direction and development plan |
| Phase 1: Syllabus Development | 1–2 months | You will:
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Note: Syllabus is a working document and may be revised |
| Phase 2: Course Design Map (CDM) Development | ~2 months | You will complete the CDM, including:
|
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Key Requirement: All objectives, assessments, and materials must align |
| Phase 3: PD Review & Approval (Design Stage) | Variable | Once syllabus & CDM are complete:
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Important: No course development without PD approval |
| Phase 4: Media Planning | Variable | You will complete the media planning spreadsheet, providing information including Title, Duration, Type, and Description |
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Prepares for efficient media production |
| Phase 5: Course Build & Media Production | ~3 months | Course Build (ID):
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Note: AI tools (e.g., HeyGen, ElevenLabs) optional |
| Phase 6: Course Sandbox Review & Approval (PD) | Variable | Once built in Canvas:
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Instructional Designer support for revisions | Important: Final approval required before course launch |
| Phase 7: Finalization & Course Readiness | Variable |
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Instructional Designer final review and support · DL team pre-release course review | Course ready for delivery |
Course Design Requirements
Course design requirements may vary across schools, departments, and programs. Examples may include:
- Required syllabus templates
- Credit hour expectations
- Media requirements
- Program-specific teaching policies
Before beginning course development, please check with your Department Chair, Program Director, or school leadership regarding any program-specific requirements.
If your department does not provide a required syllabus template, you are welcome to use the Digital Learning Universal Syllabus Template.
Designing Your Online Course Using Course Design Map
Effective course design begins with intentional planning and alignment. Whether developing a new course or redesigning an existing one, a Course Design Map (CDM) provides a structured framework for organizing learning objectives, assessments, instructional materials, learning activities, learner interactions, and technologies.
The CDM is grounded in backward design, which begins with what students should know or be able to do and then identifies the assessments, activities, and materials needed to support those goals. Mapping these elements helps instructors create a coherent learning experience and identify potential gaps or misalignment early in the design process.
Digital Learning incorporates the Quality Matters (QM) Standards and Rubric as a quality-assurance framework for course design. A central principle of QM is alignment, ensuring that learning objectives, assessments, instructional materials, learning activities and interactions, and course technologies work together to support student learning.
Click Here to Download: Course Design Map
Course Design Considerations
As you develop or redesign your course, Digital Learning encourages consideration of established instructional design frameworks, quality standards, and evidence-informed practices.
Alignment of Learning Experiences
Using backward design principles, we encourage faculty to intentionally align learning outcomes, assessments, instructional activities, and instructional materials. Course design should begin with clearly defined learning outcomes (objectives) and ensure that all course components work together to support those goals.
Digital Learning applies Quality Matters (QM)-informed practices throughout the course design process. Alignment across instructional components is considered one of the foundational elements of effective course design and successful learning experiences.
Accessibility and Inclusive Learning
Digital Learning promotes accessible and inclusive course design by aligning with ADA requirements, applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and considering Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
We encourage faculty to design courses that support equitable access and participation through accessible learning materials, usable course structures, inclusive instructional practices, and multiple pathways for engagement and learning.
Selected Course Design Standards and Theories
Quality Matters (QM) Standards
As online learning courses continue to grow, the need for quality standards has become critical. CLU utilizes Quality Matters (QM) standards to guide the course design process. QM is a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online courses. Today, QM is considered the gold standard for online course design, advancing quality assurance practices in teaching and learning.
Backward Design Process and Alignment
The backward design model begins with the end – the desired results, or outcomes. It is an effective way for your course design. After creating the Learning Objectives, the next step is to determine acceptable assessments. This is followed by planning the learning experiences and instruction.
To learn more, check out the video --->
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.
To learn more, check out the video --->
Course Quality and Student Experience
By adopting learner-centered approaches and Quality Matters-informed practices, Digital Learning supports student success through clear expectations, intuitive organization, transparent communication, and consistent course experiences that reduce unnecessary barriers to learning.
Media and Technology Integration
Digital Learning promotes the intentional use of technology to enhance learning — not the use of technology for its own sake.
By applying multimedia learning principles and technology integration frameworks such as Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), we encourage faculty to select and use instructional media and educational technologies purposefully to support learning outcomes, manage cognitive load, and create meaningful opportunities for interaction.
Sustainable and Scalable Course Design
During course development, we encourage faculty to apply systems design thinking and continuous improvement approaches to create courses that are maintainable, adaptable, and sustainable over time.
Thoughtful course design supports future revisions, multiple course offerings, evolving instructional needs, and long-term course quality.
For practical guidance, templates, examples, standards, and instructional design resources, please visit Faculty Resources → Instructional Design Resources.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are creating a new course, refreshing an existing course, or exploring ideas for teaching online, Digital Learning is here to support you.
Feel free to submit a request ticket to Helpdesk@callutheran.edu for a consultation. To learn more about consultation, please visit the Consultation page.