Align Your Design

October/2023

Introduction

Who am I?

​

Instructional Designer since 1999

Former Online Instructor

DLE trainer for Brightspace

Introduction

Alignment in an online course is the cohesion between:

• Stated learning objectives/outcomes;
• Relevant learning activities;
• Authentic assessments.

​

Language Matters

We will be looking at language used in …

​

Course Objectives/Outcomes;

- action verbs

- measurable outcomes

- relevant connections with course activities

​

Assessments/Learning Activities

- instructions

- rubrics

Alignment Worksheet

Process

1. Open the course/module objectives;
2. Open the first assignment (new tab);
3. Open the rubric (new tab);
4. Open the alignment worksheet (new tab);
5. Copy/paste from 1-3 into the worksheet to see all side-by-side.

​

Process

1. Look for alignment in the language in the first 2 columns …

Can we use the same verbs as in the objectives?

Can we make the instructions more salient in regard to the stated learning outcomes?

Can we alter one or the other for accuracy?

​

• If possible, copy/paste the revised instructions/expectations (column 2) into the criteria cells of the rubric for that assessment.

Revise language as necessary.

Revise directions if necessary.

Recommendations

Be sensitive to ….

​

1. What faculty have already written. Alignment is the goal.
2. Time management … for a whole course, this can take a while.
3. More pressing design issues, you may have to shelve this for a later date.
4. Keeping the learners at the center of YOUR language ….

“Students may see the connection better if …”

“Students will know exactly what will be evaluated.”

5. Faculty workload …. If possible, fill out the worksheet for a module or two.