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Overview:

This article introduces using a course design plan for the design phase of the instructional design model ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate) and how it can help meet alignment principles of Quality Matters’ Standards for Course Design.

Course Design Plan Template

A course design plan (CDP) captures the alignment of key course components to ensure the elements work together to achieve the course's objectives.  There are various ways a plan can be constructed.  The following template is provided as a starting point.

UCONN eCampus Course Design Plan template

For step-by-step instruction on course design and development, visit UConn eCampus' Self-Guided Course Design and Development website.

Using a Course Design Plan 

The following video provides the steps for completing a course design plan referencing the above provided template.

Information, to inform course design decisions, is first gathered during the analysis phase of the instructional design model ADDIE. Following the analysis phase, the design process begins.  It includes:

1. Writing desired course outcomes as objectives.
2. Determining acceptable evidence in the form of assessments.
3. Chunking the larger course topic into smaller instructional units called modules.
   1. Writing module learning objectives.
   2. Determining module learning activities and assessments.
   3. Selecting, or developing, instructional materials.
4. Checking the components (objectives, assessments, learning activities and instructional materials) work together, or align.

Quality Matters (QM) provides guidance on meeting course design alignment standards in online and hybrid courses. The QM alignment standards, referenced in the course design plan template, help show the standard's relationship to the design process and how it can be met.

Example Course Design Plan

• NUSC 5510 – Plant-based Diets and Nutrition CDP (This example includes course analysis, objectives, assessments, and one module.)

Additional Resources

Related Resources

• Course Design Essentials (online) – Getting Started  (Columbia University's Center for Teaching and Learning - 8 min. video)
• Self-Guided Course Design and Development

Related Posts

• Analysis: Planning Your Instruction
• Introducing Quality Matters
• Writing Learning Objectives
• Designing & Developing Online Assessments

References

• Fink, D. (2003). A self-directed guide to designing courses for significant learning.  Retrieved February 5, 2025 from https://www.deefinkandassociates.com/GuidetoCourseDesignAug05.pdf
• Hodell, C. (2023).  ISD From The Ground Up, 4th Edition: A No-Nonsense Approach to Instructional Design (1st ed.). Association for Talent Development.
• QM Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition, 2023. Quality Matters. Used under license. All rights reserved. Retrieved from MyQM.
• Wiggins, G. P., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design (2nd ed.). Pearson.