Develop a New Course
At CITL, we believe that great courses are built through collaboration, care, and creativity. Our Full Course Development service is a partnership between instructors and CITL experts to design inclusive, sustainable courses aligned with the University of Illinois’ commitment to teaching excellence.
Whether you're launching a new course or reimagining an existing one, we walk alongside you through a structured, supportive process that honors your vision while integrating best practices in pedagogy, accessibility, and student engagement. Together, we build learning experiences that reflect the Four Pillars of Teaching Excellence, well-designed, well-delivered, inclusive and ethical, and reflective and evolving, and advance the goals of General Education at Illinois.
Structured, collaborative course design with CITL
Co-Creation is CITL’s most comprehensive course design service, supporting departments and instructors in developing new or redesigned courses with long-term quality and sustainability in mind. Through a structured, collaborative process, we help ensure each course aligns with institutional goals and student success standards while honoring the instructor’s unique vision.
Our Collaborative Process
We provide each course with CITL co-leads, including a designer and a media specialist, to navigate the phases of course development and the numerous resources within and beyond CITL.
Phase 1: Plan & Align
- Map course structure using backward design
- Define course learning objectives, modality, and timeline
- Plan assessments, assignments, and grading strategy
- Identify existing resources and development needs
- Integrate applicable program, unit/college and university goals
Phase 2: Design & Pilot
- Create Canvas modules, navigation, and content layout
- Apply Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning principles to support diverse learners
- Customize graphic and style templates
- Produce sample media and interactive components
- Review and debrief on pilot module
Phase 3: Build & Review
- Iterate on pilot module experiences
- Produce course assets like assessments, media/page content, and communication templates
- Final review using CITL’s internal Quality Assurance rubric
- Option for peer or program review before launch
Phase 4: Deliver, Wrap-Up & Iterate
- Support during initial offering
- Debrief with team including student feedback and course performance data
- Plan for support of future offerings
What We Provide
- Dedicated CITL team members to support timeline and deliverables
- Collaborative course mapping, assessment planning, and UDL integration
- Full Canvas course design and development
- Custom media production, illustration and animation
- Accessibility, copyright and quality assurance support
- Faculty support during the course’s initial run
- Student feedback collection and analysis for iterative design
- Guidance on GenAI use, policy, and integration
Timeline & Commitment
We recommend beginning the process at least two full semesters before the intended launch date. Most Co-Creation projects take 2–4 months to complete, depending on complexity and modality.
Ready to Start a New Course?
Let’s build something great—together. We’ll walk you through the full development process and tailor support to your timeline and goals.
Targeted course refresh
You know your course better than anyone. The Course Enhancement path is designed to meet you right where you are—whether you're refining a syllabus, revising an assignment, integrating new tools, or adapting your course to a new format.
This support model is intentionally flexible: you define the need, and we provide just the right level of guidance, resources, and consultations to help you move forward with confidence.
Course Enhancement is a great option when you're not rebuilding a course from the ground up, but you’re ready to try something new, solve a problem, or respond to student feedback. Even small changes can make a big impact—and we're here to support those changes.
What We Can Help With
Here are some of the most common ways faculty use Course Enhancement support:
Syllabus & Assignment Review
- Improve clarity, tone, and alignment with course goals
- Add inclusive language, transparency, or workload balance
- Strengthen assignment prompts or adjust assessments for equity
Canvas Organization & Module Design
- Restructure modules for better student navigation
- Apply UDL principles to make content more accessible
- Add interactive elements, checklists, or engagement strategies
Instructional Media Integration
- Get advice on how (and why) to integrate short videos, screencasts, or visuals
- Learn how to caption media and use institutional tools
- Identify media support available through CITL
Modality Shifts (In-Person → Hybrid/Online)
- Redesign activities to work asynchronously or in hybrid formats
- Ensure learning outcomes still align with new delivery methods
- Leverage Canvas and Zoom tools to maintain engagement
Responding to Generative AI
- Update your syllabus with a GenAI policy or guidelines
- Rethink assessment design in light of AI tools
- Explore new ways to use GenAI to support critical thinking and creativity
How the Process Works
- You reach out with a clearly defined goal or challenge
- We respond with the right level of support—templates, resources, or a short consultation
- You implement the changes independently, with the option for follow-up or feedback
Most Course Enhancement projects are resolved in 2–3 meetings or less, and many requests can be handled asynchronously through email or a shared document review.
What We Provide
- Access to toolkits, Canvas templates, or design guides
- Actionable steps you can apply immediately in your course
- Confidence that your course is moving forward with purpose
Ready to Refresh Your Course?
It starts with a simple request. Let us know what you want to improve, and we’ll match you with the right resources or support.
DIY resources for independent course design and improvement
Prefer to work on your own? These DIY Toolkits are your launchpad for designing, updating, or enhancing your course without needing to schedule a consultation. These curated resources are built for instructors who know what they’re looking for and want to take immediate action.
You’ll find ready-to-use templates, guides, media tools, and design resources developed by CITL to support high-quality teaching. Every resource is designed to help you create engaging, inclusive, and well-organized learning experiences whether you're building from scratch or updating an existing course.
What You’ll Find in the Toolkit
Here’s a breakdown of what’s available in each resource category. Click any item to access and begin using the materials immediately.
Syllabus Templates
- Editable syllabi that meet institutional policy and accessibility standards
- Built-in prompts for student-centered design and inclusive practices
- Examples from a variety of disciplines
Canvas Templates
- Pre-designed Canvas module layouts with clear navigation and chunking
- Importable course shells with placeholder content and teaching prompts
- A great starting point for organizing your course visually and logically
GenAI Teaching Resources
- Customized AI tools for instructional use
- Sample prompts for teaching, feedback, and course planning
- Guidance on responsible integration of AI in your course design and policy
Media Collections & Tools
- Access to CITL’s instructional video exemplars
- Basic media production guides
- Captioning resources and image repositories for inclusive teaching
Copyright & Content Use
- Fair use guidelines and Creative Commons resources
- Tips on embedding third-party media into Canvas legally and ethically
- Quick-reference guides for common faculty questions
Course Design Guides
- Short, focused PDFs on course alignment, assignment design, and learner engagement
- Step-by-step checklists for backward design and planning a new course
- Tools that translate easily into Canvas and classroom implementation
Quality Matters at Illinois
- Self-check rubrics based on Quality Matters principles
- CITL-modified versions with local context and examples
- Tips for using QM to strengthen course alignment and learning outcomes
Grading Rubric Templates
- Rubrics for common assignments like discussions, essays, and presentations
- Downloadable and editable for Canvas SpeedGrader use
- Designed to support transparency, equity, and student success
What We Provide
DIY doesn’t mean you’re on your own. If you’d like feedback on what you’ve created, or want to brainstorm how to apply a tool to your course, you can always contact CITL-Info email link (citl-info@mx.uillinois.edu) to:
- Request a Consultation
- Book a Quick Check-In with CITL
- Ask a Question → CITL Help Desk
Not Sure Where to Start?
We’re happy to help you choose the best pathway. Reach out to CITL for a quick conversation, and we’ll guide you based on your goals and timeline.