Course development process 

Course development and design require a lot of focused time and attention, but if you work through the four-step process on the left, your ambitious endeavor will be as smooth as possible.

Why the four-step process? Designing a new course can be overwhelming! Instructors are subject experts, but they may not be Canvas experts or familiar with the instructional design best practices. Our process tells you exactly where to start, equips you with a map, and provides you with guidelines so that you stay on track and design the highest-quality course possible.

Step 1: Design course

Before you begin working in Canvas, we recommend you think through your course by completing the Course Development Worksheet. When you complete this worksheet, you will be armed with a map of your course content and structure so that you're ready to dive into the course build.

• Download and complete the Course Development Worksheet to plan the design of your online course. The worksheet guides you through course design and development essentials, such as:
  • identifying your course outcomes
  • drafting your weekly topics and learning objectives
  • listing readings and videos
  • drafting assignments
  • investigating instructional technologies
  • aligning all content with your course outcomes
• Consult with an Instructional Designer along the way to make sure you're on track.

Timeline. Give yourself a couple of weeks to complete this worksheet.

Need more help? Check out these links:

• Course Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Alignment
• Learning Objectives Builder (Tool)
• Writing Measurable Learning Objectives (TeachOline article)
• Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives 

Step 2: Build course in Canvas

With your completed Course Development Worksheet, you are ready to dive into the course build.

• Request your Canvas course shell.
  • oCourses: ASU Online Course Request Form - Submit this for all ASU Online courses and associated cross-lists.
  • iCourses and on-campus courses: Request a Course Shell from Enterprise Technology: (MyASU course request link) - Use the MyASU link for all iCourses, hybrids, and campus courses.
  • Not sure whether your course is an iCourse or oCourse? Check Class Search.
• Apply a Canvas template to your course shell provided by either EdPlus, The College, or your unit's instructional designer. The Canvas template will have the required ASU policies, basic Modules structure, etc., built out for you. Email thecollegeonline@asu.edu for template questions.
• Create your syllabus using the Canvas Syllabus page.
  • Need a syllabus template? Download this: The College Syllabus Template
  • Your syllabus text should be embedded on the Syllabus page, but you can also attach it as a document if you prefer--just make sure they match exactly.
• Begin creating and uploading your course content (as outlined in your Course Development Worksheet) in your Canvas shell.
  • Search Canvas Guides if you get stuck. Below are a few Canvas Guides FAQs:
    • How do I create an assignment?
    • How do I embed a video in a page in a course?
    • How do I create a file link in a page in a course?
    • How do I create a quiz with individual questions?
• Consult with an Instructional Designer for pedagogical strategies, interactive technologies, and assignment solutions.

Timeline. This step goes pretty quickly if a) you're using a Canvas template, b) you're guided by your completed development worksheet, and c) your course isn't very complex. If you're new to Canvas or if your course has complicated navigation, custom media, or beaucoup materials, you'll want to build in several extra weeks (or months!) into your timeline.

Note. It is essential that your course is 100% built and ready to go before students are dropped into the course, because once the course starts, your attention will be on grading, providing feedback, and modeling an engaged online presence for your students.

Step 3: Review course

Complete the Course Quality QM Review Worksheet to ensure you have included all of the essential components required by The College, Quality Matters, and if applicable, ASU Online. Note that the majority of the requirements are baked into the Canvas template.

• Consult with an Instructional Designer for the final quality check and/ or a comprehensive, formal Course Quality QM Review.

Complete an Objectives Alignment Worksheet to ensure all of the course content -- readings, videos, discussions, assignments -- aligns with the learning objectives: there are no content gaps and there is no unintentional redundancy. 

Timeline. A course review usually takes a few hours for each reviewer. If you're requesting a comprehensive review from an Instructional Designer, it may take them a week or longer depending on his or her bandwidth.

Step 4: Teach course in Canvas

• Submit a course copy request if you have not done so already.
  • ASU Online Course Request Form - Submit this for all ASU Online courses and associated cross-lists
  • Request a Course Shell from UTO (instructions) - Use the MyASU link for all iCourses, hybrids, and campus courses
• Read this Faculty Expectations document, particularly the second page: Best Practices for Teaching Online
• Complete the Course Startup Checklist

Recommended

• Take Master Class for Teaching Online in the months leading up to term start. EdPlus ASU Online offers this 2-week, asynchronous, fully-online faculty workshop, taught in Canvas, for ASU Online instructors (you must be teaching for an ASU Online program to benefit from this workshop). The workshop is designed to facilitate the peer-sharing of strategies for designing courses and teaching online.
  • Sign up for Master Class and any other ASU Online workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/asu-online-790244257