Design Better Courses with AI + Backward Design
A human-led, AI-assisted approach to course design. You bring the expertise; AI helps you build. Master the proven Understanding by Design (UbD) framework and create a complete course from start to finish.
Module Overview
Five modules that guide you step-by-step through a human-led, AI-assisted course design process using the Understanding by Design framework.
01
Foundations
Explore backward design and discover how AI can assist your course design while you remain the expert decision-maker.
02
Learning Outcomes
Define transfer goals, essential questions, and learning outcomes — starting with the end in mind.
03
Evidence & Assessment
Design authentic assessments and rubrics that genuinely measure student understanding and transfer.
04
Learning Experiences
Create engaging activities and instructional strategies that prepare students for success on assessments.
05
Integration & Capstone
Assemble everything into a polished course design, generate your syllabus, and walk away with reusable tools.
Our Design Philosophy: The DesignLab Method
AI DesignLab follows a human-led, AI-assisted approach. Every activity in this program uses the DesignLab Method—a four-step pattern that keeps you in the driver's seat: Reflect on your goals and context, Rough Draft your own ideas, AI Refine to expand and strengthen your draft, then Critically Evaluate to decide what to keep, revise, or reject. Your judgment, experience, and understanding of your students are irreplaceable—AI is a powerful assistant, not the designer.
Step 1: Reflect
Pause and think about your goals, your students, and your context before anything else.
Step 2: Rough Draft
Write your own ideas down first—even rough notes give you a baseline.
Step 3: AI Refine
Use AI to expand, strengthen, and add to your thinking.
Step 4: Critically Evaluate
Compare, judge, and decide—your expertise has the final word.
Designed for Educators Like You
Whether you're new to AI or course design, this program meets you where you are.