Exemplary Course: Backward Design
Timeline: 3 weeks
Model: Dick & Carey Systems Approach Model
Responsibilities: Instructional Design, Animation, Video Development
Tools: Camtasia, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects
This video is one of a series of microlearning videos on exemplary course design created for faculty at the institution. It aimed to introduce instructors to the backward design framework by showcasing an exemplary course taught by an instructor I collaborated with. In this project, I was tasked to record and edit an instructor interview, incorporating animation and visuals for a polished final product. Tools used include Camtasia, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe After Effects.
THE CHALLENGE
This project aims to provide opportunities to explore effective course design approaches and student-centered teaching and learning strategies, moving away from content-based design and toward outcomes-driven and competency-based learning. One identified need was to offer learning opportunities on the Backward Design approach. Additionally, it was essential to determine an approach that would enable the audience to gain the maximum benefit from the video.
DESIGN
To enhance learning in this 15-minute video, a course walkthrough approach was employed. Rather than simply describing the backward design process, the video features an instructor-led walkthrough of an exemplary course, focusing on its learning outcomes, assessments, effective strategies for supporting online learning, and instructional implementation.​ The focus of this training opportunity was to develop an appreciation of Backward Design and course alignment and understand collaborative, inquiry-based, and problem-based learning.​
DEVELOPMENT
The process began with a text-based storyboard to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the video’s content and structure. Next, I developed a quick prototype in Camtasia to give stakeholders a preview of the final product. In developing the video, I conducted and edited an interview with the instructor, crafted a brief introduction to Backward Design using the analogy of assembling a puzzle with the final image in mind, and enriched the instructor’s narration with visuals from the course and animations created in Adobe After Effects. After gathering feedback from various individuals and stakeholders, I made the necessary refinements to finalize the video.
IMPLEMENTATION
The video was shared with instructors via email and uploaded to CETL's SharePoint, where it was made accessible alongside other learning resources on the same topic. Instructors were encouraged to take 10 minutes to preview the video and were invited to visit the SharePoint page for a deeper dive into the topic if they wished.