Course Design Institute

Since 2008, the Course Design Institute (CDI) has provided opportunities for faculty to work with peers from different disciplines to design and develop fully online courses with a focus on pedagogy, and student interaction and engagement.

An intensive, semester-long training experience for participants, it usually includes reassigned time (course release) for approximately 14-18 instructors, permitting them to commit to the significant investment of time involved in the design of a pedagogically sound fully online course.  Courses are selected for inclusion in the CDI based on evidence of student demand determined in consultation with Enrollment Services and the SDSU Provost’s Office.

Since 2020, when the pandemic mandated a broader reach into online learning, ITS introduced the Flexible Course Design Institute (Flex-CDI) to familiarize large numbers of faculty with the principles of online course design and offered a menu of modular options curated for varying faculty interest and experience levels. 

In Fall 2022, ITS introduced the Self-Paced Online Training (SPOT-CDI) program to meet the high demand for more faculty support in developing and reviewing online or hybrid courses at SDSU. The SPOT course provides a fully online, synchronous option for faculty to develop or review their online or hybrid courses on a voluntary basis. 

This “Placement by Pathway” tree can help colleges and faculty to determine which program best fits their needs for training and support in developing online and hybrid course design.

Instructional Technology Services
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San Diego State University
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San Diego, CA 92182-8114