Design, Develop and Deliver Guide

Design, Develop and Deliver

A Guide for Effective Online Teaching

Design

In this section, you will find recommendations for designing an online course that aligns with learning outcomes and supports the diverse needs of your students. We review approaches for establishing an online teaching presence and developing relationships with and between your students. Finally, we explore the critical steps to take when designing your online course, with a focus on backward design principles.

Develop

In this section, you will find recommendations for building an online course, including approaches to simplify course navigation and help students identify critical information. We also review accessibility practices and highlights how implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches can enhance the student experience. Finally, we provide an overview of the different types of content you might include in your online course, such as learning activities and tools to support effective assessment.

Deliver

In this section, you will find an overview of strategies to engage, motivate and communicate with your students. We explore approaches for creating and maintaining an inclusive learning environment, supporting student well-being, and addressing disruptive behaviours online. Finally, we provide suggestions for evaluating student work and offering feedback to support students’ success in your online course.

Design Topics
Key Considerations When Designing an Online Course Steps to Take When Designing an Online Course Understanding Your Students Understanding Course Outcomes for an Online Course Choosing Assessments for an Online Course Key Considerations for the Use of Synchronous Online Teaching
Develop Topics
Structuring an Online Course Considering the Needs of Diverse Learners Developing Online Course Components Developing a Hybrid Course Facilitating Group Work Online
Deliver Topics
Engaging and Connecting Students in an Online Course Creating Inclusive and Supportive Online Courses Evaluating and Providing Feedback to Students Online Gathering and Responding to Student Feedback

Further reading to help you…

Design an online course:
Course Design: Questions to Consider

From the University of Waterloo, questions to consider when designing a course, from a number of different perspectives (context, student, assessment, content, instruction).

Inside Higher Ed – Peer Advice for Instructors Teaching Online

“Seventeen instructors offer guidance for colleagues teaching an online course for the first time (and for those seeking a few new ideas).”

Accessible Instruction: UDL in Teaching and Learning

An excellent resource from ‘mycampus’ outlining how to use UDL in teaching and learning.

Online Course-in-a-Box

University of Illinois offers an “Online Course in a Box”, for either developing or revising an online course.

Develop an online course:
CAST UDL Guidelines

The resource sets out and links to greater details on all of the principles associated with Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

But what if they cheat? Giving Non-Proctored Online Assessments

This resource sets out some straightforward suggestions for how to effectively administer an online test that isn’t proctored while still maintaining a degree of academic integrity.

50 CATs by Angelo and Cross (PDF)

There are many different Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs), many of which can be adapted for online learning. This resource explains 50 different CATs.

Deliver an online course:
Be a Better Online Teacher: Advice Guide

This extensive and highly practical guide offers advice on how to make your online pedagogy as effective and satisfying as the in-person version, and includes: 10 essential principles and practices of better online teaching; and common misperceptions of online teaching.

Authentic Assessment

This short guide summarizes the key elements of authentic assessments and helps you to consider how you might create more authentic tasks and assignments for your online course.

Communication and Collaboration in an Online Course

This short guide summarizes the key elements of authentic assessments and helps you to consider how you might create more authentic tasks and assignments for your online course.

Online Assessment in Higher Education

This comprehensive guide from the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary provides excellent templates and concrete recommendations for setting up discussion boards, online tests, essays and written assignments, and ePortfolios in your online course.

Back to Top