Course & Curriculum Design Support

Design Learning Experiences That Make a Difference

Thoughtful course and curriculum design creates the foundation for meaningful student learning.

Whether you’re developing a course from the ground up, refreshing an existing course, transitioning to a different delivery format, or contributing to a program-level curriculum initiative, the Centre for Teaching & Learning can help.

Our team works collaboratively with instructors and academic units to design learning experiences that are engaging, inclusive, accessible, and aligned with clearly defined learning outcomes.

Request Course or Curriculum Design Support

How We Can Help

Course Development & Redesign

Whether you’re creating a new course or making improvements to one you’ve taught before, we can help you take an intentional, learner-centred approach to course design.

Support may include:

  • Defining clear and meaningful course learning outcomes.
  • Aligning learning outcomes, assessments, and learning activities.
  • Organizing course content and sequencing learning experiences.
  • Exploring active and collaborative learning strategies.
  • Designing assessments that support and demonstrate student learning.
  • Planning courses for in-person, online, blended, or other delivery formats.
  • Reviewing existing courses and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Our goal is to help you create a coherent course experience in which learning activities, assessments, and outcomes work together to support student success.

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Instructional Design

Effective instructional design considers how students engage with course content, learning activities, assessments, and educational technologies.

We provide support with the intentional design and development of learning experiences, including:

  • Structuring and organizing online and blended learning activities.
  • Designing instructional materials and learning activities.
  • Selecting approaches and technologies that support learning outcomes.
  • Applying evidence-informed instructional design principles.
  • Supporting interaction, engagement, and feedback in digital learning environments.
  • Considering accessibility and usability throughout the design process.

Whether you’re exploring a new teaching approach or developing a course for a different delivery environment, we can help you make informed design decisions.

Request Instructional Design Support

Curriculum Design & Development

Curriculum design extends beyond individual courses to consider the overall learning experience within an academic program.

The CTL works with academic units to support intentional, coherent curriculum development and improvement.

Support may include:

  • Developing and reviewing program-level learning outcomes.
  • Examining alignment between program outcomes and individual courses.
  • Exploring curriculum mapping and sequencing.
  • Identifying opportunities for progressive development of student knowledge and skills.
  • Reviewing assessment approaches across courses.
  • Supporting collaborative conversations about curriculum improvement.

Whether your academic unit is developing a new program or reviewing an existing curriculum, we can help facilitate evidence-informed discussions and approaches to curriculum design.

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Designing for Inclusive & Accessible Learning

Universal Design for Learning

Inclusive course design anticipates the diversity of students’ experiences, abilities, and learning needs.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a framework for designing flexible learning environments that reduce unnecessary barriers and provide meaningful opportunities for students to engage, learn, and demonstrate their understanding.

We can help you explore approaches such as:

  • Providing multiple ways for students to engage with course material.
  • Presenting information in accessible and varied formats.
  • Offering appropriate flexibility in how students demonstrate learning.
  • Designing clear expectations, instructions, and learning pathways.
  • Identifying and reducing barriers to participation and learning.

You don’t need to redesign an entire course to make a meaningful difference. Small, intentional changes can improve the learning experience for students.

Accessibility in Course Design

Accessibility is an essential consideration throughout course development.

The CTL can help you consider accessibility when selecting, creating, and organizing instructional materials and learning activities.

This may include guidance on accessible documents and presentations, captions and alternative text, clear navigation, readable content, and accessible assessment practices.

We also connect instructors with relevant University resources and services when specialized accessibility or accommodation support is required.

Syllabus Development

Start Your Course with Clarity

A well-designed syllabus is more than a collection of course policies and deadlines. It helps establish expectations, communicate the purpose and structure of a course, and support students in navigating their learning experience.

The CTL can help you develop or refine a syllabus that:

  • Communicates clear learning outcomes and course expectations.
  • Explains assessment approaches and grading practices.
  • Provides a coherent overview of course activities and requirements.
  • Uses clear, accessible, and inclusive language.
  • Helps students understand how to participate and succeed.
  • Incorporates relevant University policies and required information.

Let’s Design Something Meaningful

You may be starting with a blank page, exploring a new idea, or looking to improve something that already works well.

Wherever you are in the process, our team can help you consider possibilities and move forward with confidence.

Request Course & Curriculum Design Support