Online Course Development Process
CID assists instructors with the development of new online courses, the redesign of existing online courses, or with updates to returning online courses. An instructional designer will schedule an initial meeting with the instructor to map out the course and create a development timeline. Next, the designer will discuss how they can assist with design, media and graphics, streaming video and films, and accessibility to best enhance the course. Once the course is complete, the instructional designer will review the course material using a course quality rubric (CQual) and technical review. The results will be shared with the instructor, and the instructional designer will assist with any final updates prior to course launch.
If faculty are teaching a NEW course online for the first time, they should complete the Online Course Development Agreement.
New Online Course Development Process
Generally speaking, the course design process takes about four (4) months and includes the following steps:
- Develop course description, goals and objectives
- Submit an Online Course Development Proposal
- Complete a course development timeline
- Complete a course map
- Confirm access to publisher content if it will be required (e-textbook, lab materials, and so on)
- Gather/and or work on developing all resources for the course including course calendar, PowerPoint Presentations, handouts, readings, videos, assignments, assessments, links and so on. The Center for Instructional Design supports faculty and staff in meeting updated Title II accessibility requirements by improving digital accessibility in Blackboard courses. All course content must align with by April 26, 2027, as required for all public colleges and universities. We encourage faculty and staff to enroll in the following training courses: Title II Course Accessibility and Color Accessibility and Text. Lastly, please use the Course Material Accessibility Checklist under Resources/Course content on the Digital Accessibility website to quickly check your course materials for accessibility.
- Respond to comments on the Course Quality Rubric Review (CQual), which assesses the pedagogical design of a newly developed course in relation to course objectives and outcomes. The CQual assesses the effectiveness of standard tools and features in a fully online course including a course syllabus and calendar, discussion board format, and the effective use of social media. Once the CQual rubric has been completed, the instructional designer makes recommendations for improvement to the instructor. These recommendations must be completed prior to course launch.
- Respond to comments and the course accessibility score in the Technical Review prior to course start date. This review ensures that course content is technically sound and accessible. use the Course Material Accessibility Checklist under Resources/Course content on the Digital Accessibility website to check all digital content shared with students.
Existing Course Process
For all returning courses (courses that are not new and have permission to be copied from a previous semester), an instructional designer from CID will contact the instructor of record eight (8) weeks prior to launch date and ask for the previous semester’s CRN number so that the existing course can be copied into the upcoming one. Two (2) weeks prior to course launch, CID will perform a technical review and provide feedback to the instructor.
Download a PDF of the Faculty Handbook