{"id":949,"date":"2024-01-17T19:56:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T19:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/?page_id=949&#038;preview_id=949"},"modified":"2026-03-06T17:14:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T17:14:08","slug":"instruction-by-design","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/instruction-by-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Instruction by Design Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"171\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-1024x171.png\" alt=\"Illustration of a winding road on hills with &quot;Instruction by Design&quot; text.\" class=\"wp-image-964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-1024x171.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-300x50.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-600x100.png 600w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-768x128.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-1536x256.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2-1568x261.png 1568w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/325\/2023\/11\/MapBanner2.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creating Student Learning Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All educational course planning should begin with learning objectives. Backward by Design is a lesson planning framework that begins with the end by establishing the learning objectives first and then aligning assessments and activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are new to Backward Design or would just like to refresh your skills, visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/45523\/pages\/introduction-backward-design?module_item_id=1778331\">Backward by Design Canvas Course<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional resources for creating student learning objectives<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.celt.iastate.edu\/instructional-strategies\/preparing-to-teach\/tips-on-writing-course-goalslearning-outcomes-and-measureable-learning-objectives\/\">Tips on Writing Course Goals &#8211; Iowa State University<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/novaonline.nvcc.edu\/TOTAL_Workshops\/LearningObjectives_v4\/index.html\">Learning Objectives &#8211; Nova Online<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/academiceffectiveness.gatech.edu\/assessment-toolkit\/developing-student-learning-outcome-statements\/\">Developing Student Learning Outcomes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-adv-tabs advgb-tabs-wrapper advgb-tab-horz-desktop advgb-tab-vert-tablet advgb-tab-stack-mobile advgb-tabs-82f6d250-209a-47a4-8d8a-c2a21e0fd3fd\" data-tab-active=\"0\"><ul class=\"advgb-tabs-panel\" role=\"tablist\"><li class=\"advgb-tab advgb-tab-active\" role=\"presentation\" style=\"background-color:#aba8a8;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><button class=\"advgb-tab-button\" id=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86-0\" aria-controls=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-0\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"color:#fff;background:none;border:none;width:100%;text-align:inherit;cursor:pointer;padding:8px 16px;font:inherit\"><span><strong>The Course Structure<\/strong><\/span><\/button><\/li><li class=\"advgb-tab \" role=\"presentation\" style=\"background-color:#aba8a8;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><button class=\"advgb-tab-button\" id=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86-1\" aria-controls=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-1\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"color:#fff;background:none;border:none;width:100%;text-align:inherit;cursor:pointer;padding:8px 16px;font:inherit\"><span><strong>Content Organization<\/strong><\/span><\/button><\/li><li class=\"advgb-tab \" role=\"presentation\" style=\"background-color:#aba8a8;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><button class=\"advgb-tab-button\" id=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86-2\" aria-controls=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-2\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"color:#fff;background:none;border:none;width:100%;text-align:inherit;cursor:pointer;padding:8px 16px;font:inherit\"><span><strong>Course Contents<\/strong><\/span><\/button><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-wrapper\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class- header-active\" id=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-0\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86-0\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><strong>The Course Structure<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86 advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-0\" style=\"display:block\">\n<p>Whether your course is online or in person, you will want to provide your students with a course structure that is consistent, easy to navigate, and accessible to all students. Utilize your Canvas course to create a student-friendly learning environment. Consider the following when designing your Canvas course:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a home or landing page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When students enter your course, they should see the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>course name and number, instructor name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>course introduction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>clear instructions on how to get started in the course<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>navigation links to commonly accessed areas in the course<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/62200\/modules\/391113\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Home page examples<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a \u201cStart Here\u201d module<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Start Here modules provide students all the necessary information to navigate the course including the syllabus, schedule, purpose, navigation, course and university resources, communication guidelines, and much more. The \u201cStart Here\u201d module should be accessible from the home page to provide students quick and easy access to course information. See the \u201cStart Here\u201d module example template for a complete list of recommended items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/62200\/modules#module_391115\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cStart Here\u201d module example<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Create modules<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The use of modules to organize course content supports ease of navigation for students. This form of \u201cchunking\u201d organizes content modules by wither weeks, units, or chapters so all relevant content is housed together in sequential order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/62200\/modules\/391210\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/62200\/modules\/391210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Module example<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class- \" id=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86-1\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><strong>Content Organization<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86 advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-1\" style=\"display:none\">\n<p>How your content is organized can greatly affect your student\u2019s success. When information is delivered in an unorganized or illogical format, students may become frustrated, confused, or complacent. Providing students with content that is well-organized removes barriers to learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Content Alignment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the course structure is set, you can begin adding content. As previously noted, learning objectives should be the starting point for all content, then you can proceed to determining assessments and activities that will align with the stated objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Content organization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizing content in Canvas can be achieved by placing all needed items in modules. Once you have decided on a module format, stay consistent throughout the course so students can easily navigate materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/62200\/modules\/391210\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Module example<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/62200\/modules\/391114\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Module overview examples<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chunking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chunking content breaks down information into smaller, manageable pieces allowing for better understanding, retention and retrieval. When presenting information, consider the following for chunking and organizing information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>break-up information into small paragraphs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>use bullet points<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>make weekly videos highlighting important content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>create short videos or use images<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>organize content in tables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>use subheadings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tlconestoga.ca\/content-chunking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Content chunking examples<\/a><br><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class- \" id=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86-2\" tabindex=\"0\"><span><strong>Course Contents<\/strong><\/span><\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_aa79e6-86 advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tab-panel-_aa79e6-86-2\" style=\"display:none\">\n<p>A final consideration when designing your instruction is the delivery of the contents. Will you include technology, are your materials accessible to all students, do your activities engage your learners? Delivery of content should be intentional, so your students are able to access materials and understand the connection between the contents and the learning objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Engaging Students<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether teaching in-person or online, student engagement should be present in your classroom. Learners need to have multiple opportunities in a variety of ways to engage with the content, the instructor, and their peers. Over the last several decades, best practices have emerged on active learning strategies to help students engage in their learning, instead of passively acquiring information. The resources listed below will help get you started with ensuring your students are engaging and not fading. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/citt.ufl.edu\/resources\/the-learning-process\/designing-the-learning-experience\/chickering-and-gamson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chickering and Gamson\u2019s 7 Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kb.wisc.edu\/instructional-resources\/page.php?id=121280#:~:text=Interactions%20in%20the%20online%20learning,integrated%20strategically%20into%20a%20course.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michael G. Moore\u2019s 3 Interactions for Distance Learning<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/Active%20learning%20Activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Active learning Activities<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cei.umn.edu\/teaching-resources\/active-learning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">More on Active Learning<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.perusall.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perusall<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmu.edu\/teaching\/assessment\/basics\/formative-summative.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Formative and Summative Assessments<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While technology is a necessary tenet of 21<sup>st<\/sup> century learning, it needs to be used with purpose. There is a plethora of technology tools available for use in education, but they may not be the best for your activity or assessment. Technology should help students engage and learn the material while meeting the learning objectives. Avoid using technology for the sake of using technology,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/elearningindustry.com\/using-technology-in-the-classroom-benefits-and-top-tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tips to Use Technology in the Classroom<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.concordia.edu\/blog\/3-reasons-why-teachers-need-technology-in-the-classroom.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reasons to Use Technology<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accessibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating accessible content is not just good design, it is necessary for ADA compliance. Educators must make a \u201cgood faith effort\u201d to ensure their course contents are accessible for all learners. The Ally tool in Canvas and the Canvas accessibility checker can assist you with making your course contents accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nZpXvymbJUY&amp;t=1234s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ADA Tips and Tricks Video<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tarleton.instructure.com\/courses\/45523\/modules#module_271563\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Accessibility Best Practices \u2013 Canvas Module<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/t5\/Instructor-Guide\/How-do-I-use-the-Accessibility-Checker-in-the-Rich-Content\/ta-p\/820\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Canvas Accessibility Checker<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/community.canvaslms.com\/t5\/Partner-Listings\/Partner-Listing-Anthology-Ally-previously-Blackboard-Ally\/ta-p\/437712\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anthology Ally<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ikIkc1nLHEk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adding Ally to a Canvas Course<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check back to the Instruction by Design resource page often as we will continue to update resources.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<style class=\"advgb-styles-renderer\">.advgb-tabs-82f6d250-209a-47a4-8d8a-c2a21e0fd3fd ul.advgb-tabs-panel li.advgb-tab.advgb-tab-active {background-color:#4f2d7f !important;color:#ffffff !important;}#advgb-tabs-82f6d250-209a-47a4-8d8a-c2a21e0fd3fd .advgb-tab-body-header.header-active, .advgb-tabs-82f6d250-209a-47a4-8d8a-c2a21e0fd3fd .advgb-tab-body-header.header-active{background-color:#4f2d7f !important;color:#ffffff !important;}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creating Student Learning Objectives All educational course planning should begin with learning objectives. Backward by Design is a lesson planning framework that begins with the end by establishing the learning &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":97,"featured_media":580,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-949","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/author\/huckabee-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2\/","display_name":"huckabee"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 2 years ago","modified":"Updated 2 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on January 17, 2024","modified":"Updated on March 6, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on January 17, 2024 7:56 pm","modified":"Updated on March 6, 2026 5:14 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/97"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=949"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/949\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1078,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/949\/revisions\/1078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/cid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}