Planning a course is never really done. We often know, even before we teach a class, that we will need to make changes to certain elements. Each semester, we revise and refine lectures, assignments, and activities. Sometimes, we even determine that we need to change our plan for a lesson, assignment, or activity in the middle of a semester. Whether we are creating, refining, or redirecting a course, it is important to take some time to plan your effort. The resources in this section can be used individually to support you every time you approach planning a course. It might also be helpful to start with the big picture topics of Alignment and Teaching with Transparency before reviewing more specific strategies. If you’re unsure where to start—or have started but are unsure where you are in the course design process—begin with the Course Design Checklist.
