Stream 1- Two-Day Course Design Institute
In this intensive two-day institute, participants are guided through a literature informed step-by-step process for designing an academic course. You'll engage with key principles of backward design, develop clear learning outcomes, craft meaningful assessments, and create engaging learning activities. Throughout the experience, you’ll receive personalized feedback, collaborate with colleagues, and leave with practical tools to bring your course to life.
Stream 2- Course Design Pathway
In addition to the two-day institute, participants commit to participating in continued scheduled programming through the semester when the course is offered (see table below). Participants will receive personalized guidance from Educational Developers from the Centre for Teaching and Learning, including:
- A mid-semester course check-in and feedback session
- End-of-semester reflection
- Support with interpreting QSSET (student feedback) results
- Guidance in applying for teaching grants and teaching awards
- Support for those interested in engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) projects
This option is ideal for educators who want sustained mentorship, deeper reflection, and opportunities to connect teaching innovations with broader scholarly and professional recognition.
This summer, we are organizing two Institutes:
CDI 1: Scaling up!
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 18, & Thursday, June 19; 9:00 - 12:00pm
Facilitators: Karalyn McRae, Dale Lackeyram, and Selina Idlas, Centre for Teaching and Learning
This two-day institute is geared towards instructors with previous teaching experience who are re-designing an existing, or new course. The institute will highlight strategies for ‘scaling up’ your course, and focus on designing flexible, adaptable course activities and assessments that can support student success in larger courses. Educators will have the opportunity to map out their course learning outcomes and assessment plan and will be introduced to educational technologies and strategies for managing larger-scale assessments and engagement. By the end of the institute, you will have developed a course structure that takes an evidence-informed, student-centric approach to engagement and assessment while planning for how to grade and provide feedback in large enrollment courses.
CDI 2: Generative AI & Assessment
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 23 & Thursday, July 24; 9:00 - 3:00pm
Facilitators: Nevena Martinovic, Yasmine Djerbal, and Rebecca Sweetman, Centre for Teaching and Learning
This two-day institute will focus on intentional assessment design in the context of Generative AI tools’ impacts on teaching and learning.
Educators will have the opportunity to learn and apply current best-practices and research-informed approaches to creating learner-focused, flexible, and authentic assessments. By the end of the institute, you will have developed a framework that ensures your assessments are aligned with course learning outcomes and have drafted a syllabus statement articulating appropriate Generative AI for your unique course requirements.
Timelines
Timelines for Course Design Institute streams with date and time commitments
| Session | Date and Time | Time Commitment |
|---|---|---|
|
Course Design Institute: Scaling Up! |
Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 - 12:00pm Thursday, June 19, 2025, 9:00 - 12:00pm |
3 hours each day 6 hours total |
|
Course Design Institute: Generative AI and Assessment |
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 9:00 - 3:00pm Thursday, July 24, 2025, 9:00 - 3:00pm |
6 hours each day 12 hours total |
| Session | Date and Time | Time Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | ||
|
Course Design Institute: Scaling Up! |
Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 - 12:00pm Thursday, June 19, 2025, 9:00 - 12:00pm |
3 hours each day 6 hours total |
|
Course Design Institute: Generative AI and Assessment |
Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 9:00 - 3:00pm Thursday, July 24, 2025, 9:00 - 3:00pm |
6 hours each day 12 hours total |
| Fall 2025 | ||
| Mid Semester Check-In | October 22 | |
| End of Semester Reflection | Asynchronous Reflection – Emailed Form | 30 minutes |
| QSSET Analysis and plan for course improvements | December 3 | |
| Winter 2026 | ||
| Mid Semester Check-In | February 25 | |
| End of Semester Reflection | Asynchronous Reflection – Emailed Form | 30 minutes |
| QSSET Analysis and plan for course improvements | May 20 | |
| Summer 2026 | ||
|
SoTL & Teaching Awards Institute |
Summer 2026 |
TBD |
Why participate?
- Engage in a flexible and supportive process for effectively preparing for the term ahead.
- Work through a hands-on intensive learning experience to engage a design process that is transferable to all courses.
- Develop a course framework with identified learning outcomes, assessments, learning activities, instructional strategies, and technologies.
- Network and share ideas, challenges, strategies, and questions about teaching, learning and design with others.
- Receive follow-up consultation and support (e.g., onQ, rubric design, etc.)
- Access Institute materials and other resources on teaching and learning
Accessibility Statement
The Centre for Teaching and Learning strives to make its events accessible to all members of the Queen’s community by offering some online and others in-person, as well as recording wherever possible. There are many factors that influence and constrain how online offerings are designed, delivered, and facilitated. We recognize however that this design and approach does not result in identical experiences for all. If possible, contact ctl@queensu.ca in advance for any access needs or accommodation. Facilitators will be available throughout the Course Design Institute should accessibility needs arise, and you can always reach out to ctl@queensu.ca.
For more information about:
- The classroom, visit the Teaching and Learning Spaces Website.
- The building, visit the Building Accessibility Guide.
- Accessibility at Queen's, visit the Queen's Accessibility Hub.