One of the many advantages of designing a course for remote learners is that most of the labor happens up front. That means that during the actual course, you can focus your attention on facilitation and learning! The approach we recommend is one called backward design: start by clarifying the learning goals (i.e., the end product), and use them to drive decision making about activities and assessments.
Writing Learning Goals and Objectives
On the surface, teaching online may look different from traditional, face-to-face courses, but most of the underlying pedagogical principals are the same, starting with: What is it you want students to take away from your course?
- Working Backwards from Learning Goals and Objectives (Tufts)
- CELT’s Canvas Course Design Tutorial guides you through the process of designing a new course or revising an existing course with a lens of inclusive, learner-centered teaching at Tufts.
Getting Started Designing an Online Course
Organization, equity and connection are elevated in importance on online teaching, and time spent considering these three components will help you created a strongly integrated course.
- How to be a Better Online Teacher Advice Guide (Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Organizing Your Online Course (ACUE’s Online Teaching Toolkit)
- Distance Education for Teacher Training: Modes, Models, and Methods (Educational Development Center)
Reviewing Your Course Before Building
As you pull together a draft of your course plan and syllabus, before devoting the time to building each of the component, it’s worth reviewing the activities.
- An Online Course Review Checklist (Word Document) (ETS)
- The Syllabus Review Guide A inquiry tool for promoting racial and ethnic equity and equity-minded practice (University of Southern California)
Tools to Help You Create Online Courses
The tools you select always support your learning goals, not the other way around. There are a lot of tools from which to choose to accomplish your goals. Fewer tools are easier to manage for both you and your students.
- Canvas Instructor Orientation and Training (ETS)
- Class Discussions at a Distance (ETS)
- Tools for Teaching (ETS)