Course Development Administrative Checklist

This guide has been designed for EECS Online Instructors to use during course revelopment, redevelopment, or continuous improvement. Maintain communication with the Course Development Manager (CDM), your Instructional Designer (ID), and adhere to the Ecampus schedule.

All courses MUST start with the most up-to-date Ecampus template for structure. Those redeveloping a course, you must start with a fresh course template shell and then add your content.

If you have trouble accessing the sandbox site, please request the newest template from the CDM or your Ecampus Instructional Designer.


Term 0: Preparation Phase

Administrative Tasks

Review Course Learning Objectives (LOs)


Tips for Creating Learning Objective Language

  • Course Learning Objectives should be broad, while Module level Learning Objectives should be more specific
  • Clarity & Specificity: Use measurable action verbs (e.g., analyze, design, evaluate).
  • Alignment: Ensure LOs align with course goals and broader curriculum.
  • Student-Centered: Focus on student achievements rather than teaching processes.
  • Achievable & Inclusive: Consider course duration, prior knowledge, and accessibility.
  • Scaffolding: Build skills progressively with smaller, manageable objectives.
  • Real-World Relevance: Incorporate practical applications to enhance engagement.

Quality Matters Suggestions (v.2025)

  • Active vs. Measurable Learning Objectives: Using an Active Verb Isn’t Enough
  • Ensure that learning objectives are actually measurable. Some learning objectives might start with an active verb, but may not be measurable.
  • Active Verb: Also known as an “action” or “dynamic” verb; describes an action that someone (in this case, a learner) will do or perform.
  • Measurable Objective: Describes a specific, observable behavior that can be assessed for quality, completeness, or correctness.
  • Active verbs are a starting point, not the finish line.
  • Measurable objectives describe clear, observable behaviors or performances that instructors can assess.
  • Ask this question: How will learners show that they met this objective, and how will that performance be evaluated?
  • Check alignment. Objectives should link to instructional materials and to an activity and/or assessment. Complete your mapping document to ensure all content has a purpose.
  • Context matters. Objectives must make sense within the structure of the course and the background of the learners. Even small wording tweaks can make a big difference in clarity and alignment. 

Term 0 Sample Schedule

OSU EECS Course Development Guide - Term 0 Sample Schedule

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Term 1: Development Phase

Planning & Setup


Term 1 Sample Schedule

OSU EECS Course Development Guide - Term 1 Sample Schedule

*Note that your Instructional Designer with provide an exact delivery schedule. This is just a sample. Condensation of schedules for 1-term developments will be discussed.

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Term 2: Finalization Phase

Content Development


Course Checks


Term 2 Sample Schedule

OSU EECS Course Development Guide - Term 2 Sample Schedule

*Note that your Instructional Designer with provide an exact delivery schedule. This is just a sample.

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First-Term Launch: Implementation & Refinement Phase

Continuous Improvement

The first term your course is student facing is the most crucial to document any changes or modifications. Below are some tips for documenting your continous improvement efforts:

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1.5-Year Mark Review

Analyze changes for the next development cycle

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3 Year Mark - Redevelopment

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