Backwards Design begins with your course level outcomes and the objectives of your individual weekly or modular units. This graphic helps to show the relationship of your objectives to your assessments and activities.

Backwards course design triangle showing learning objectives at the top with assessments in the lower left hand corner and activities in the lower right hand corner beneath an umbrella of course level learning outcomes

Notice that over the top of the entire graphic are the course outcomes. Everything in the course, including the unit learning objectives, should relate and align to the course level learning outcomes. Likewise, the unit learning objectives, assessments, and activities should also align, with each other with the course level learning outcomes.

One easy way to achieve this relationship is to use an Alignment Map. These come in many forms but you can download one here for use in your own course.

Check out this quick video that walks you through how to use the map.

To learn more about course design, please visit CET&L's website.