Fully Online Courses
For those creating fully online courses, especially those in completely online programs, the design and development process is more structured but don't worry, your instructional designer will help you through this process. A six-month period is usually sufficient to design and build an online course. At the initial meeting with your instructional designer, a timeline will be established, including the projected dates for the milestone reviews, working backward from the go-live date of the course.
I. Design
CDLI has adopted a backward design model of course design. In the Design phase, takeaways (or objectives) are identified and then summative assessments are created. You will design ‘authentic’ assessments and be exposed to active learning strategies that can be accomplished online. Although faculty are usually anxious to start building course materials, the design phase takes precedence. It isn’t until there is a design plan that building begins.
II. Build
In the Building phase, you will create content. You are introduced to various learning technologies and with the assistance of your instructional designer, you will select the most appropriate digital tools to use as you build the course.
III. Review
Fully online courses must be approved by CDLI at least 30 days before the course begins. Some colleges/departments also require that hybrid courses be reviewed. The course is reviewed using standards which incorporate the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm Links to an external site., as well as best practices in digital delivery, including compliance with accessibility and copyright laws. The goal is for all digitally-mediated courses to incorporate the Jesuit approach to education.
You will notice that there are two intermediary milestone reviews in addition to the final review: design of major assessments and build of a single, representative module. At each milestone, you, along with a college representative, your instructional designer, and our accessibility coordinator will approve the work before continuing. This ensures that content is covered at an appropriate depth and breadth and all stakeholders are satisfied with the direction of the course.
Accessible version of Course Design Process and Timeline image Download Accessible version of Course Design Process and Timeline image