Course Design Principles

Start with a view of learning

Begin with Learning-centred approaches. This mind map presents learning as a process of negotiation between individuals and society. It brings teaching, syllabus, methods and materials into that view. Use it to note the elements you want to consider when planning a course.

Then look at the principles map that asks what happens in the classroom and during learning. It includes language in use, learner independence and how to learn a language. Compare its questions with the ideas in the first map.

Explore materials and course decisions

The Format and presentation mind map considers the environment and learners’ needs. It also raises questions about whether learners have the skills for activities and whether the layout attracts them. Use those prompts to look at a course activity and its presentation together.

Other principles maps bring together content and sequencing, format and presentation, and monitoring and assessment. One also mentions strategies and autonomy and spaced retrieval. Follow the branches that relate to your interest, then return to the classroom questions to consider how those decisions connect.

Use a map with a quiz

The page lists no quizzes, but you can make your own with a free account, which also saves your quiz scores. Turn ideas from a map into questions: for example, ask yourself which aspects of course design appear in a principles map. Take your quiz, then return to the map to explore the branches behind your answers.

Place the topic in its unit

Course Design Principles is a section of Course and Syllabus Design in Education and pedagogy (incl. teaching methods, curriculum, educational psychology). The maps let you connect questions about learning with choices about content, presentation and assessment within that unit. Choose a branch to explore and use it as a starting point for your own questions.