Course-Planning Timeline

Six Months Prior

 Define course goals.

 Determine course content.
 Think about appropriate teaching methods.
 Begin reviewing possible texts.
 If team-teaching, begin discussing course goals, teaching philosophies,
course content, teaching methods, and course policies, as well as specific
responsibilities for each instructor.

Three Months Prior

 Begin to develop course schedule and syllabus.

 Develop teaching methods and tools.
 Determine how you will evaluate student learning: plan assignments and
exams.
 Order text(s) and other materials, including films, videos, or software.
 If planning to use instructional technology or multimedia equipment,
reserve a classroom that has all the necessary components.
 Contact guest speakers.
 Arrange field trips and other activities.

One Month Prior

 Define course policies.

 Refine the course syllabus.
 Begin to compose lesson plans or lecture notes.
 Seek training on how to use instructional technology and multimedia
systems; have any necessary additional software installed.
 Call bookstore to make sure books have arrived.
 During and After

 Take a few, brief notes after every class session; these notes will remind
you of what went well and what you would like to change after the course
has concluded.
 Review student evaluations.
 Refine the course design, responding to student evaluations and reflecting
on your own evaluation of the course.

*For further details on the course-planning process, see Designing a

Course.