Course Development
Course development is the design and production of a new course or the revision of an existing one. An effective course requires thoughtful integration of design and production elements with a logical organization of content that supports a quality learning experience.
The course development process ideally involves a set of actions that build on each other. ADDIE, a traditional instructional design model, is one framework that can be used as a guide. It has five phases—Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation—and the following image illustrates how these phases are interconnected.
How Does Your Course Fit into the School’s Curriculum?
Before starting to develop a course, it is essential to consider its purpose. Identify whether there is a gap in the curriculum, or whether the course supports the interests of a specific audience. Consider how it maps to your department or program competencies. Are there any other courses offered at the School that overlap with your proposed course or meet the same need? Thinking through the reasons why the course is needed will help prepare you to propose the course to your departmental curriculum committee and the Committee of Academic Standards (CAS).
During this initial step, you should discuss the course with your department chair and/or curriculum committee chair, and you should identify your target term. Keep in mind the various course formats available at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as the CAS system deadlines (login required) for course proposals. If you plan to offer a fully online or blended course, you or your department chair must contact the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
To begin, see the Key Steps for Getting Started with Your New Online or Blended Course.
Key Resource
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The ADDIE Model
