10 Effective Course Design Ideas for Higher Education

Course design is a critical component of higher education, as it ensures courses are structured and organized in a way that facilitates student learning and success. Course design involves planning and developing the content, assessments, and activities that will make up the course, with the goal of creating a meaningful and engaging learning experience for students.

“The good news is, we live in a golden era of discovery regarding how people learn,” says Brad Cohen, Top Hat’s Chief Academic Officer. “Personalized learning, surfacing prior knowledge and fostering belonging are essential strategies that we should all be incorporating.”

By following a systematic approach to course design, educators can create courses that meet the needs of their learners and help them achieve their educational goals.

Table of Contents

1. What is involved in the course design process?
2. What’s the difference between course design and curriculum design?
3. What are some effective course design ideas for higher ed?
4. Where can I find a good course design template for higher ed?
5. Conclusion
   

What is involved in the course design process?

The course design process typically involves several key steps:

1. Defining learning outcomes: The first step in course design is to define the learning outcomes or objectives for the course. These outcomes should be specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall goals of the program. An example of a well-written learning outcome would be: By the end of this course, students will be able to identify the strengths of formal vs. informal language by advancing through the following three levels of knowledge and skill:
   
   – Using language formally vs. informally
   – Explaining how to write and speak in each type of language
   – Teaching others how to choose and use the appropriate type of language in different situations

2. Identifying content and resources: Once the learning outcomes are defined, the course designer needs to identify the content and resources that will help students achieve those outcomes. This may involve selecting textbooks, articles, videos, and other materials.
3. Developing assessments: Assessments are an essential part of course design, as they help measure the students’ understanding and mastery of the material. These assessments may include quizzes, exams, essays, and projects.
4. Creating a course schedule: A course schedule outlines the sequence of activities and assignments that will take place during the course, as well as any due dates. This schedule should be designed to ensure that students have enough time to complete assignments and master the material.
5. Designing activities and assignments: Activities and assignments should be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes and reinforce the course content. These may include group projects, case studies, discussions, and hands-on activities. 
6. Choosing instructional strategies: The course designer needs to select instructional strategies that are appropriate for the course’s goals and learning outcomes. This may include lectures, discussions, simulations, and online activities. 

Throughout the course design process, it’s important to consider the needs and abilities of the learners. This may involve designing the course content in a way that is accessible to all learners, accommodating different learning styles, and using technology to enhance the learning experience.

What’s the difference between course design and curriculum design?

While course design and curriculum design are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two. Course design refers to the process of designing a specific course, while curriculum design refers to the larger process of designing an entire educational program.

Course Design

Course design is a process that involves creating a specific plan for a single course. The goal of course design is to create a structured and organized learning experience that meets the needs of the learners and the goals of the institution. This process typically includes:

1. Defining learning outcomes: The first step in course design is defining the learning outcomes or objectives for the course. These should be specific, measurable, and aligned with the overall goals of the program.
2. Identifying content and resources: Once the learning outcomes are defined, the course designer needs to identify the content and resources that will help students achieve those outcomes.
3. Developing assessments: Assessments are an essential part of course design, as they help measure the students’ understanding and mastery of the material.
4. Creating a course schedule: A course schedule outlines the sequence of activities and assignments that will take place during the course, as well as any due dates.
5. Designing activities and assignments: Activities and assignments should be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes and reinforce the course content.

Free Download: Top Hat’s Course Planning Template

Curriculum Design

Curriculum design, on the other hand, is a more extensive process that involves creating a comprehensive educational program. The curriculum is designed to ensure that learners receive a consistent and high-quality education, regardless of the individual courses they take. The process of curriculum design typically involves:

1. Defining educational goals: The first step in curriculum design is defining the educational goals for the program. These goals should be aligned with the institution’s mission and the needs of the learners.
2. Developing learning outcomes: Once the educational goals are defined, the curriculum designer needs to develop specific learning outcomes for each course in the program.
3. Creating a course sequence: The course sequence outlines the order in which courses should be taken to ensure that students receive a comprehensive education.
4. Selecting instructional strategies: Curriculum designers need to select instructional strategies that are appropriate for the program’s goals and learning outcomes.
5. Developing assessment strategies: Assessments should be designed to measure the student’s progress toward the program’s learning outcomes.
6. Ensuring alignment: Finally, the curriculum designer needs to ensure that all the elements of the program are aligned with the educational goals and learning outcomes.

What are some effective course design ideas for higher ed?

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, so too does the need for effective course design. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing a course, there are certain principles that can help ensure that your course is engaging, relevant, and effective. Here are 10 effective course design ideas for higher education:

1. Define clear learning outcomes: As mentioned above, before you start designing your course, it’s essential to define clear learning outcomes. What do you want your students to know, understand, or be able to do by the end of the course? This will help you structure your course and ensure that your students are learning what you intend.
2. Use active learning techniques: Active learning techniques such as group work, case studies, and problem-based learning can help students engage with the material, apply what they’ve learned, and develop critical thinking skills. Top Hat helps students engage with—not just respond to—their learning. More than 14 different question types allow instructors to gauge understanding in nearly any discipline. Real-time feedback helps students stay on track and helps you give learners the support they need. 
3. Incorporate technology: Technology can enhance your course in many ways. You can use online platforms like Top Hat to facilitate discussions and collaboration, create interactive quizzes and activities, and provide multimedia resources. 
4. Create a diverse and inclusive learning environment: It’s important to create a learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all students. This means considering diverse perspectives, using inclusive language, and providing accommodations for students with disabilities.
5. Scaffold learning: Scaffolding refers to breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By scaffolding learning, you can help your students build on their prior knowledge and gradually develop more complex skills.
6. Provide timely and meaningful feedback: Feedback is crucial to student learning. By providing timely and meaningful feedback, you can help your students understand where they are in their learning and how they can improve. Top Hat leverages real-time data and insights in the form of attendance, participation, assignments, and tests, making it easy to pinpoint struggling students. This data can also help instructors improve engagement, outcomes and course satisfaction. 
7. Use real-world examples: Real-world examples can help students see the relevance of what they’re learning and apply it to their lives and future careers.
8. Balance theory and practice: Higher education courses should strike a balance between theory and practice. This means providing students with a strong theoretical foundation while also giving them opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings.
9. Foster a sense of community: Students are more likely to succeed when they feel like they are part of a community. You can foster a sense of community by providing opportunities for students to connect with each other and with you, such as through group projects and office hours.
10. Continuously evaluate and improve: Course design is an iterative process. It’s important to continuously evaluate your course and make improvements based on feedback from your students, your own observations, and changes in the field.

By incorporating these course design ideas into your courses, you can help ensure that your students are engaged, motivated, and equipped with the skills they need to succeed.

Where can I find a good course design template for higher ed?

A well-designed template can help ensure that all the necessary components of the course are included and that they are organized in a logical and coherent way. Here are some places where you can find good course design templates:

1. Your institution’s learning management system (LMS): Many learning management systems offer built-in course design templates. These templates are often customizable, allowing you to tailor them to your specific needs.
2. Online course design resources: Many websites and resources are available online that offer course design templates. Some of these resources are free, while others require a subscription or fee. Examples of these resources include CourseArc, Canva, and Prezi.
3. Professional organizations: Many professional organizations for educators, such as the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), offer course design templates as part of their resources for members.
4. Colleagues and peers: Your colleagues and peers may have course design templates that they are willing to share. This can be a great way to get inspiration and ideas for your own course design.
5. Books and publications: There are many books and publications available on the topic of course design, many of which include templates and examples. Examples of these publications include “The Course Syllabus: A Learning-Centered Approach” by Judith Grunert O’Brien and Barbara J. Millis, and “Designing Effective Instruction” by Gary R. Morrison, Steven M. Ross, and Jerrold E. Kemp.

When looking for a course design template, it’s important to consider your specific needs and the needs of your learners. Look for templates that are flexible, customizable, and aligned with your course goals and objectives.

Click here to download Top Hat’s Course Planning Template to design meaningful weekly lessons and track progress toward curriculum goals.

Conclusion

Effective course design is critical to the success of your courses, as it ensures learners are provided with an engaging and meaningful learning experience. A well-designed course should be organized and structured in a way that facilitates the achievement of specific learning outcomes or objectives and should utilize appropriate instructional strategies, activities, and assessments. 

Effective course design also takes into account the needs and abilities of learners, including accommodating different learning styles and utilizing technology to enhance the learning experience. With the right approach to course design, educators can create courses that effectively facilitate learning and help students achieve their educational goals. By following a systematic process and utilizing available resources, educators can develop courses that are engaging, effective, and meaningful for their learners.