Instructional Design Services
Weber State’s Instructional Design team is an interdisciplinary group of education professionals who collaborate with faculty to design engaging course materials and effective course structures.
What is an Instructional Designer?
Instructional designers (IDs) help educators create quality online learning experiences. Trained in andragogy, educational technologies, and the practice of online teaching, IDs support instructors building online course material that is useful and engaging for students.
How can an instructional designer help?
The ID team is an interdisciplinary group of education professionals. They can help you:
- Get more value from the Canvas learning management system (LMS).
- Organize curriculum for online users.
- Design multimedia elements to advance student learning.
- Brainstorm effective online learning experiences.
- Improve accessibility of course materials.
- Troubleshoot issues with the LMS.
What services do instructional designers provide?
One-on-one or Group Training
Individual or department training on using Canvas, new features, supporting technology, accessibility, and online learning.
Pre-semester Course Checkup
Quick review to check course functionality, working links, gradebook setup, and other core course elements.
Accessibility Review
Troubleshooting of course accessibility issues using guidance and solutions from Ally, Microsoft, and Canvas.
Redesign of a Single Element
Create or redesign a single discussion, assignment, quiz, page, or other course element.
Best Practices Course Review
Comprehensive analysis of a course based on academic standards, including RSI, learning experiences, design, and functionality.
Course Template Design
Basic course design support, including homepage, syllabus, and module layout.
Rapid Course Development
Basic course design using a template, generally for quick implementation.
Full Course or Program Design
Long-term collaboration with faculty to design and build a full Canvas course or larger sequence of learning experiences.
Academic Support
Tailored guidance on improving the academic value and effectiveness of online course materials.
How do I contact an instructional designer?
Send an email or Google Chat to instructionaldesign@weber.edu, or contact the ID supporting your area:
- College of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology: Sean Cummings (seancummings@weber.edu)
- College of Science: Tim Maw (timothymaw@weber.edu)
- College of Social Sciences and Education: Gisela Martiz (giselamartiz@weber.edu),
Kathy Harris (kathyharris@weber.edu) (School of Teacher Education) - Dumke College of Health Professions: Shannon Stephens Sandau (shannonstephens@weber.edu)
- Goddard School of Business and Economics: Tim Maw (timothymaw@weber.edu)
- Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities: Ian Smith (iansmith5@weber.edu)
- Interdisciplinary Programs: Shandel Hadlock (shandelhadlock@weber.edu)
Support Services Tiers and Time Commitments
Level I
Approximate time frame: 1 - 5 business days
Project type: Simple additions or edits to online course content
| Project Description | ID Consultation |
|---|---|
| Pre-semester Online Course Checkup | 1-2 hour meeting with an instructional designer (ID) |
| Canvas accessibility review | 1-2 hour meeting with ID |
| Create or re-design a single discussion, assignment, or quiz | 1 hour meeting with ID |
| Just-in-time training of a feature or application in Canvas | 1 hour meeting with ID |
| Canvas homepage design | 30 minute meeting with ID and, if applicable, provide image with proper license for use |
Level II
Approximate time frame: 2 - 4 weeks
Project type: Multiple edits or custom additions to a course
| Project Description | ID Consultation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Best Practices Course Review (BPR) | 1-2 hour meeting with the assigned ID, with a 1-2 hour follow-up session to discuss edits |
|
| Customize the visual elements of an individual course with the creation of images, video (under 5 min.), or text | 1-2 hour meeting with ID |
|
| Course template design | 2-3 design meetings with ID |
|
| Rapid course development | 2-3 design meetings with ID |
|
Level III
Approximate time frame: 1 month or more
Project type: Newly designed and developed content (team-based approach)
| Project Description | ID Consultation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eLearning Authoring (custom interactive learning activity, such as Storyline or H5P content) | Refer to the eLearning Authoring commitment document for detailed information |
|
| Design a new course | Regular meetings required |
|
| Design a new program (sequence of courses) | Regular meetings required |
|
| Faculty research contributions (such as online course analysis for publication, conference presentation assistance, education applications test groups, and large events) | Weekly meetings with ID; list the ID and/or WSU Online as contributing authors |
|