Course Development Guide
A four-phase approach to creating meaningful learning experiences.
The Development Process
At UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies (DES), we use a four-phase approach grounded in backwards design principles to guide course development. This process ensures that courses are pedagogically sound, meet institutional standards, and create meaningful learning experiences for students.
While this process has been broken into 4 distinct phases, the reality is that these phases tend to overlap. The phases are conducted concurrently and are iterative in nature.
For example, you might create a vision for the course (Phases I & II) while simultaneously starting your Canvas build (Phase IV). You could begin recording lectures (Phase III) while still detailing weekly lessons (Phase II). Feel free to blend the phases in ways that are conducive to your progress and productivity.
The Four Phases
Phase I: Design & Align Assessments
Goal: Review your course's learning outcomes and design assessments to measure student learning.
Key Activities
- Develop course around stated learning outcomes.
- Develop summative assessments (midterm, final, projects).
- Plan formative assessments (quizzes, small assignments).
- Create rubrics for consistent grading and feedback.
Why It Matters
Backwards design ensures every element of the course supports student success and aligns with intended outcomes.
Tasks & Deliverables
Major Assessments: Plan midterms, final exams, or major projects suited to your course content.
Rubrics: Use the Canvas rubric builder to create clear and aligned grading criteria.
Formative Assessments: Identify weekly quizzes or assignments for ongoing feedback.
Academic Integrity: Decide on and create statements for your syllabus regarding AI tools, collaboration, and resource usage.
Pacing Your Course Creation
Course creation is a marathon, not a sprint. The process is iterative, and it's common to work on different phases simultaneously. Use this timeline as a flexible guide to stay on track.
Weeks 1-2
Focus: Phase I & II
Lay the foundation. Define learning outcomes, plan major assessments, and outline your weekly module structure.
Weeks 3-10
Focus: Phase III
This is the most time-intensive phase. Create slide decks and record your core lecture content. Aim for 1-2 lectures per week.
Weeks 11-13
Focus: Phase IV
Assemble everything in Canvas. Build out your modules, embed videos, and create assignments and quizzes.
Week 14
Focus: Quality Check
Finalize and polish. Review the entire course from a student's perspective and prepare for the final QC review.
Final Phase: Quality Check
Goal: Ensure that the course you have developed meets all institutional and departmental standards before going live.
Ensures Quality
Confirms all elements are functional, accessible, and aligned with best practices.
Reduces Stress
Minimizes surprises by catching and fixing issues before the course launch.
Supports Students
Guarantees a seamless and engaging learning experience for your class.