instructional design

Mar 9, 2026

Rubric Best Practices, Examples, and Templates

In this article How to create and use rubrics Step 1: Analyze the assignment and clarify your purpose Before building a rubric, ask yourself about: Step 2: Select a rubric type Step 3: Select a starting point TIP: create your rubric in a table or spreadsheet in Word, Google Docs, Sheets, etc., and then transfer…

Nov 18, 2025

Activities versus Assessments: Measuring Student Learning

In this article Activities: Tracking Progress Learning activities are low-stakes and they build toward larger assessments for students to check their knowledge and receive feedback along the way. In an online setting, activities provide student interactions with content, peers, and the instructor while practicing course concepts and skills. As students track their progress, instructors can…

Feb 19, 2025

Using AI to Assist With Course Design

In this article Elements of Good Course Design Thoughtful course design lays the foundation for a successful learning experience, ensuring that students not only engage with course material but also develop a deeper understanding of key concepts. A well-structured course not only supports students in achieving their learning goals but also reduces confusion, increases motivation,…

Jan 14, 2025

Large Course Redesign Best Practices

In this article Choose a Model to Organize Your Course Course Redesign (CR) involves the redesigning of whole courses to achieve better learning outcomes and accommodate enrollment growth. CR is much more extensive than simply putting face-to-face courses online; its goal is to rethink “the way we deliver instruction in light of the possibilities that…

Sep 12, 2024

Step-by-Step Moodle Course Creation Guide

In this article Depending on your needs and experience, you may choose to follow every step or skip ahead to specific sections. At the end of this guide, you’ll also find links to additional resources for deeper exploration. Step 1: Develop a plan Before diving into Moodle, take time to plan. A little preparation makes…

Sep 25, 2023

Supporting Neurodiverse Students Through Course Design

In this article Definitions and statistics You’ve probably heard the expression “Great minds think alike.” In reality, great minds work in countless different ways, with no “right” or “wrong” way to think or learn. Different peoples’ brains simply work differently. When we appreciate the variability in our learners and design with that variability in mind,…

Jul 13, 2023

Hybrid Teaching: Best Practices

In this article Research (Johnson et al., 2022) highlights the need to clearly define various modes of learning, and the diagram below does a nice job clarifying the differences: Research suggests that hybrid learning can enhance student success (Lewis & Harrison, 2012; Rausch & Crawford, 2012; Weber & Lenon, 2007). A meta-analysis found that instruction…

May 31, 2023

HyFlex Teaching: Best Practices

In this article Modes of Learning While some students prefer learning online (particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic), many NC State students still prefer in-person instruction. Research (Johnson et al., 2022) highlights the need to clearly define various modes of learning, and the diagram below does a nice job of clarifying the differences: Faculty may be…

Mar 20, 2023

Cognitive Load Essentials for Effective Instructional Videos

In this article Overview The main idea behind cognitive load theory is that there are limits to how much information the human brain can process at once. When presented with too much information, the brain becomes overwhelmed, and learning and comprehension suffer. Exactly, how does our brain process information? Watch this video that explains the…

Dec 7, 2022

Customize Learning Experiences for Students: Adaptive and Personalized Pathways in Moodle

In this article Overview: What is Customized Learning? Customized learning in this context can also be referred to as personalized learning or adaptive learning. Essentially we are designing courses, activities, or modules to provide students agency in how they move through course content via choices in format, mode of instruction, pacing, or content selection based…

Nov 19, 2020

Creating Community Online (Overview)

In this article Consider instructor presence and student-instructor relationships As convener of your course community, how you approach teaching has an impact on the community as a whole. Several Teaching Resources articles address these topics and can provide ideas and considerations for you as you begin designing your online course. Define and agree on a…

Jun 24, 2020

Course Design

Getting started with course design or redesign If you’re building or redesigning a course, these resources provide a helpful starting point. Designing for a specific course format Consider how course delivery formats shape the learning experience. Using learning objectives as your design foundation Design activities and assessments that clearly support your learning objectives. Making course…

Dec 28, 2019

Current Virtual Reality Best Practices for the Classroom

In this article How to Get Started Step 1: Experiment with VR to get familiar with the environment Consider how this could fit into your content area. Would any of the concepts you teach benefit from games or simulation (e.g., students flying through the bloodstream to learn about cells)? Consider “who you want your students…

Aug 7, 2016

Types of Assessments

In this article How to Get Started Step 1: Examine your preconceptions about assessment. Step 2: Review desired course learning objectives to ensure that they align with assessments. Step 3: In addition to major assessments, punctuate the course with short assessment opportunities. Step 4: Reduce opportunities for cheating (Sewell, Frith, & Colvin, 2010). Step 5:…

Aug 2, 2016

Online Course Best Practices

In this article How to Get Started Best Practices Assessment Technology Accessibility Learner Interaction Examples Resources

Jul 14, 2016

Providing Effective Feedback

In this article How to Get Started Step 1: Review learning objectives and assignments and decide which need more feedback from you, and which would benefit from peer review. Step 2: Because a plethora of instructor- and peer-feedback mechanisms are available for online courses, explore different options to find the best fit for your content.…

Mar 26, 2016

Netiquette—Or Best Practices for Interacting Online

In this article How to Get Started Students in the online learning environment are unable to experience the body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions of their peers. It is important to make them aware of netiquette guidelines at the beginning of the course. Instructors can emphasize that netiquette will be useful not only…

Mar 26, 2016

Writing Learning Objectives: Measurable and Mighty

In this article Learning Objectives: A Simple Formula Learning objectives represent the most important outcomes for your course and typically cover a range of levels of student understanding. Each learning objective should be clear and measurable to define what students will be able to do. To write a learning objective, include two parts: How to…

Mar 11, 2016

Best Practices for Creating Multiple-Choice Questions

In this article Understand Multiple Choice Questions In a typical multiple-choice test item, students are presented with a question description or a statement (this is referred to as a stem), followed by a list of response choices known as alternatives. These alternatives include distractors (incorrect answers) and one or more correct answers (the answer key).…

Feb 26, 2016

Discussion Forum Best Practices

In this article To make the most of this tool, think about discussion forums in three key phases: Design and Development, Setting Expectations, and Launch and Management (Goldman, 2011). Each phase helps create meaningful, engaging, and inclusive online dialogue. Designing and developing your discussion Writing your discussion prompts: Example discussion structures Incorporating discussions into your…