Instructors of all kinds have to create and deliver courses. Whether you are a teacher or a trainer delivering information to children or adults, you will have to employ techniques to address the needs of your unique group of learners. The most used vehicle of choice to deliver the learning is a course. Courses sit at the intersection of Learning Objectives, Learning Delivery Methods, and Learning Outcomes. But how do you know if the course you are creating, delivering, or evaluating is effective? What do you need to consider?

Course Design has been defined as "the intentional planning of a course to help students achieve significant learning." The key to this definition is the expected outcome specifically speaks to learning. After you create your learning goals (A) and assessments (B) you have to plan the activities that will take you from point A to B.

This learning path will utilize the Course Delivery Decision Model (CDDM) as a way to look at course design, instructional delivery methods, and technology. Our current training and educational landscape dictates real results and measurable outcomes. As such, we have to make decisions that target the best learning approach for the intended learning outcome. The resources below will guide you through making that decision as you gain a better understanding of effective course design principles.