Course Quick Start Guide
How to Use this Course
This course has nine modules that contain learning content and activities. As you approach each module begin with the LEARN pages. You will find a mixture of text, video, and visual content to review before continuing on to the module activities. You can find all related module activities under the PRACTICE and APPLY sections of each module. Throughout this course you will encounter three different types of activities:
- The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - In order to be able to create good designs you need to be able to distinguish good design from bad design, and to identify what sets a good design apart. These activities will help you learn to discern good design from bad design, and show you how the seven principles of good design are implemented.
- Design It! Exercises - Using free web-tools you will have the opportunity to do short exercises that will teach you how to apply design principles to your own course materials. Share your designs and materials on the Design It forums located in each module to get feedback and ideas from other learners in the course as well as the course instructor.
- Comprehension Quizzes - You will take short quizzes to ensure that you have a firm grasp on the module content, and to determine if you are retaining the course information. These quizzes will provide you with instant feedback that will help you assess your course progress.
Time Commitment Per Week
I realize that it can be difficult to build in time for design. Faculty have professional and personal commitments that can make it hard to find time for continued learning and development. I have intentionally designed the modules so that they only take 1.5-2 hours to complete.
Using Canva
Canva is an excellent free graphic design resource that is accessed through the web, and I would highly recommend using it for course designs. In order to use Canva you will need to sign up for a free account. You can sign up using any email address. Visit canva.com to create your free account.
Canva has a vast number of tutorials and design resources called Canva Design School. You will see some of the design school articles and videos sprinkled throughout the course. Here are two videos to help orient you to the Canva interface: