Course Design Support
Whether you are teaching for the first time, revising an old course, or simply looking for new, evidence-based practices - the TLTC is here to support you. Join us for a Design Sprint, Course Design Retreat, or review the materials at your own pace.
These programs guide you to:
- Build community in your course
- Incorporate inclusive and engaging teaching practices
- Design an effective ELMS user-experience
- Align assignments to your course goals
- Increase feedback and simplify communication with your students
- Develop multimedia for effective learning
OPTION 1 - Design Sprint
Four 90-minute webinars + two 1:1 Zoom consultations
Each of the four sessions provides content, discussions, and a recommended pattern for independent work. You'll also have two additional meetings with a TLTC consultant who will work with you one-on-one to answer questions, provide feedback, and help with any individual design strategies. Choose this option if you prefer to meet online and work from the comfort of your office or home and if you prefer to build your course over four weeks.
Design Sprints are hosted three times per year:
- August
- January
- May
Upcoming Design Sprint:
The next Design Sprint will be in January 2025 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00-11:30am.
- Session 1 - Tuesday, January 7, 2025
- Session 2 - Thursday, January 9, 2025
- Session 3 - Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- Session 4 - Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Trouble registering through Workday? Please email tltc@umd.edu for support.
OPTION 2: Course Design Retreat
Two-day program hosted in person
Spend two days with colleagues from across campus and TLTC staff. We will provide content, facilitate discussions, and offer structured time to work on your course. We will also answer questions, provide feedback, and help with any individual design strategies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Choose this option if you can come to campus in person and prefer having a dedicated, structured space and time to work over two days. You may come and go throughout the retreat, so be reassured if you have one or two conflicts on your calendar.
Course Design Retreats are hosted twice per year:
- June (Register now!)
- August
OPTION 3: Asynchronous Online Learning
Learn at your pace, on your schedule
Can't make a Design Sprint or Course Design Retreat? View online lessons and materials to support your course design process. While this option does not integrate one-on-one support, you can schedule a consultation with a TLTC specialist to get course design support any time of year.
Testimonials from UMD Instructors
Well organized with very useful information and resources I know how to get to when I need them. Directly applicable in to my work. (Course Design Retreat Participant, August 2023)
I appreciated the piece-by-piece activities to work on our courses, because that helped me focus on just one thing at a time. I was able to spend each week thinking about one aspect of the course, and now I feel like I have a much stronger handle on my course as a whole. (Design Sprint Participant, June 2020)
While the class sessions were excellent, it is the coaching that really makes this SO valuable. Thank You! (Design Sprint Participant, May 2023)
I liked the layer of comforting support overall... to know I am not alone in what I don't know! (Design Sprint Participant, November 2020)
Gave an opportunity to approach my course from a new perspective with some new conceptual tools/frameworks. (Design Sprint Participant, January 2022)
The templates and other resources provided were really helpful. [The facilitator] was excellent in explaining all aspects of course design with examples and clarity. (Course Design Retreat Participant, August 2023)
I was blown away with the Canvas template. I would have never been able to do that on my own. I know it will make a difference in how students interact with my course! (Design Sprint Participant, May 2023)
I liked how it offered a holistic approach to cultivating a learning environment that I can apply to different modalities and all of my classes. (Design Sprint Participant, May 2021)