---
title: "Where Should I Begin with Design?"
type: "wiki"
space: "Flexible Course Design"
author: "Ashley Ribbel"
created: 2025-01-15T14:24:32Z
updated: 2025-01-16T19:59:07Z
url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/316/flexible-course-design/wiki/view/22063/where-should-i-begin-with-design"
---

# Where Should I Begin with Design?

We recommend that you **begin with creating an asynchronous online course to form the “backbone”** and foundation of your course. Begin course design by creating a set of topic-based modules within Learn@Seneca. Each module should contain a sequence of activities that leads to desired learning outcomes. Where possible, activities should be grouped in a clear, recognizable rhythm, such as “pre-lesson, live session, post-lesson.”

Within the module, look for activities that lend themselves to live discussion, demonstration, or other such **active learning**. Build the live session around these. Here is a [collaborative document of lesson plan samples and templates](https://onedtech.philhillaa.com/p/covid-19-planning-for-fall-2020-a-closer-look-at-hybrid-flexible-course-design).

Create a variety of **invitations** for online learners to participate, and for classroom learners to add to the Learn@Seneca artifacts \(e.g., discussions, reflections, etc.\). Write the instructions out very clearly. Here is an example of instructions for an activity from Kevin Kelly \(2020\):

> 
> 
> If you’re in the room, turn to a \(socially distant\) neighbor and share what you wrote. If you’re on the video conference, I’ll put you in breakout groups of 2 or 3. If you’re watching the recording, press pause and participate in the Think-Pair-Share discussion forum. Then come back and press play. I’ll summarize the ideas of the people who are live.
> 

Last, we always recommend recording appropriate parts of the in-class session \(such as mini-lectures, etc.\) and add recordings to the Learn@Seneca module.