Starting Strong:
The first weeks of the semester set the tone for the rest of the course. This is an ideal time to pause and make sure your course learning objectives (CLOs), materials, and assessments are all pulling in the same direction. Strong alignment not only supports student success but also saves you time later when grading or answering questions about expectations
How to do it:
Begin by checking that your CLOs are specific and measurable. For example, “Understand APA style” is too vague, while “Apply APA style to format a reference page” is measurable and assessable.
Then, build a weekly habit: each week, choose one objective and ask yourself, Are this week’s materials, activities, and assessments clearly aligned with it? If you notice a gap, a small adjustment, such as refining assignment instructions, or adding a short practice activity can bring everything back into focus.
Why it matters:
Quality Matters (QM) standards highlight alignment as the foundation of effective course design. By tackling one objective at a time, you’ll steadily strengthen your course without feeling overwhelmed. Each small check ensures students see the purpose behind their work and experience a more coherent, supportive learning journey.
Contact the Instructional Design team with questions or schedule a one-on-one consultation appointment. Visit the ID website for other course design resources.