Course Design Ideas
The design of a course is both an art and a science, combining best practices in teaching with instructors’ expertise, perspectives, and teaching goals. We work with you to consider the following elements that contribute to a successful course at UCLA. We also offer specific ideas for teaching online.
Student Engagement
Courses are designed to keep learners involved through interactive elements, real-world applications, and dynamic activities. Through different types of interactions and engagement strategies, we strive to create content that encourages participation, critical thinking, and retention. Working with an instructional designer can help you identify ways for students and instructors to engage with one another and the content.
Examples of engagement strategies
- Providing different channels allows students to share their thoughts during learning (e.g. office hours, discussion forums, emails)
- Forming proper feedback loops to provide students with opportunities to learn and recognize the gaps between their current performance and the learning objectives
- Building in structured activities during lecturing, such as polling, live group discussion, and reflection points, to provide students the opportunities to check their learning regularly
- Incorporating built-in quizzes into video lectures so students can interact with the content and also receive prompts while watching the lecture
- Developing research assignments (in which students curate content themselves)
- Encouraging content sharing between students (such as in a discussion, class wiki, or group project)
- Including threaded asynchronous text, video, and audio discussions
Multimedia
Multimedia plays a crucial role in our course designs. We use multimedia from video lectures to infographics and animations to enhance understanding and keep the content engaging. Our team ensures that all media aligns with the course goals.
Examples of multimedia elements
- Video lectures
- Presentation slides
- Welcome videos from the instructor
- External materials, such as YouTube, TedTalk, etc.
- Interviews
- Guest speaker videos
- Graphics and animation
Assessment
Assessment is integral to ensuring that learners have mastered the content. We create various assessments, from quizzes to project-based evaluations, all aligned with the learning objectives.
Examples of assessment
- Formative assessment
- Reading quiz
- Reflection discussion
- Working sheet
- Summative Assessment
- Group project
- Scaffolding project
Technology
Our instructional designers leverage the latest educational technology platforms, tools, and innovations to deliver seamless learning experiences into our courses. Whether integrating a Learning Management System or developing custom digital tools, technology is the backbone of modern learning.
Examples of educational technology to facilitate teaching and learning
- Using Bruin Learn to develop a course site
- Applying integrated LTIs for student engagement and assessment activities. Check the full list of UCLA’s current LTIs: Academic Technology Tools
- Bringing in external software for subject-specific learning needs
Communication
Strong communication between learners and instructors is vital. We build in discussion forums, direct communication tools, and collaborative platforms to foster a vibrant learning community.
Examples of questions guiding our communication approach
- What will be the main method(s) to share course updates, assignment reminders, or any course-related information with students?
- What will be the methods for students to ask questions or address their concerns?
- How will information and feedback be provided to students to reduce the gap between their current performance and the learning objectives?
Accessibility
At UCLA, we make great efforts to create a learning environment that is accessible and inclusive for all students. To address accessibility needs, we consider and address several aspects of accessibility as part of our course design services.
Examples of access considerations and services
- Accessible documents and PDFs
- Closed captions for all video materials
- Alt-Text for images and other graphics
- Accessibility to technology tools
- Use Ally the Bruin Learn integrated accessibility too
Online Course Design Ideas
Wondering how to engage students online? Below we provide more ideas specifically for the online asynchronous context. Some may also apply to the online synchronous classroom.
Engaging Activities and Assignments
- Online Forums/Discussion Boards: Engaging in discussions about course material, sharing ideas, and responding to each other’s posts.
- Pre-recorded Lectures/Videos: Watching and reviewing recorded lectures or videos at students’ own pace.
- Online Quizzes and Assessments: Taking quizzes or completing assignments on students’ schedule.
- Collaborative Documents (e.g., Google Docs): Working on documents with others, where each person can contribute at different times.
- Independent Research and Writing Projects: Conducting research and writing assignments independently, with the ability to access resources and materials anytime.
- Reflection Journals: Writing about personal learning experiences and thoughts in a journal format.
- Blogs: Creating and reading blogs to share ideas and engage with others.
- Wikis: Collaboratively creating and editing online encyclopedias or knowledge bases.
- Student Presentations: Recording and sharing presentations for asynchronous viewing.
- Podcasts: Listening to podcasts for learning and discussion.
- Timelines: Creating and sharing timelines to visualize information and events.
- Anticipation Guides: Using guides to activate prior knowledge and focus on essential concepts.
- Case Studies or Practice Scenarios: Applying knowledge to real-world situations through case studies.
- Guided Learning Experiences: Completing guided projects or modules at your own pace.
- Asynchronous Audio Tools: Using audio tools for learning and engagement.
- Digital Learning Innovations: Exploring new digital tools and methods for learning.
- Email: Using email for communication and feedback.
Facilitating Collaboration and Communication
- Email Threads: Engaging in discussions through email threads, allowing participants to respond at their own convenience.
- Instant Messaging/Text Messaging: Using instant messaging or text messaging for quick communication and collaboration.
- Collaborative Software Tools (e.g., Trello, Asana): Using project management tools to collaborate on tasks and projects.
- Online Surveys/Polls: Collecting feedback or gathering information from participants asynchronously.
- Virtual Office Hours: Hosting virtual office hours where students can ask questions and receive feedback at different times.
- Peer Feedback: Providing and receiving feedback on assignments or projects asynchronously.