Course Design
Module 6
Session 1
Course Design
The course design has three principal
components:
1. Objectives
2. Assessments
3. Instruction
To achieve a coherent learning
experience, all three course
components must closely align with
one another and also consider the
course context.
How is a Course
Designed?
Consider timing and logistics
Recognize who the students are
Identify the situational restraints
Articulate your learning objectives and outcomes
Identify assessments
Identify appropriate methodologies
Plan your course content/syllabus and schedule
Step by Step Process of Course
Design
1. Determine the purpose, goals and objectives
2. Identify students needs
3. Finalize the course content
4. Arrange topics in a logical order, starting with foundational concepts and
progressing to more complex ones (e.g., teach basic addition before
multiplication in math, nouns before adjectives etc. )
5. Develop a timeline ( as is done in scheme of studies: week wise, day wise)
6. Design activities, materials, and assessments
7. Review, revise, and get feedback: process monitoring
8. Roll out the course, monitoring its effectiveness through student
performance data and observations. Be flexible to adapt if need be
Course Design
Course Design Model
[Link]
In the Case of Schools, What
should a Course Include?
Stage 1: Identify desired results
Example: what should Grade 5 students really understand and do by
end of the year?
Stage 2: Determine acceptable evidence?
Example: How will we know they learned it?
Stage 3: Plan experiences and instruction
Example: What teaching and practice get them there?
In the Case of Higher Education
Course, What Should it Include?
• Basic Information: Instructor’s name, contact information, and office
hours; title of the course, location, and times
• Course Description: Prerequisites, overview of the course, student
learning outcomes
• Materials: Primary/required books and readings, including other lab
equipment, software, or art supplies
• Requirements: Exams, quizzes, assignments, problem sets, reports, etc.
• Policies: Grading procedure, attendance, class participation, missed exams
or assignments, late policies, standards for academic honesty
• Schedule: Tentative calendar of topics, firm dates for exams and
assignments, last day for course withdrawal
• [Link]
Instructor and Course
Information
Name and title
Course name and number
Course meeting days, times and locations (room and building)
Office address, phone numbers, email address, any restrictions on
calls or messages
Office Hours
Course Details
Course description and goals
Learning outcomes
Required materials (including texts, materials and equipment)
Course prerequisites (prior courses and/or skills)
Attendance or participation policy
List of graded activities (formative, mid and final term assessments)
Due dates for major assignments (including date, place, and time for final
exams)
Grading scales to be used
Policy Statements
University-wide Attendance Policy
Academic Honesty Policy
Harassment Policy
Resources for students seeking mental health help
Final Exam Week Schedule
Emergency Procedures