CTLD Instructional Design Support Showcase

Last updated on December 20, 2024

Have you ever wondered how quick, expert support can transform a moment of frustration into a productive learning opportunity? The Instructional Design Support (IDS) team at the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Design (CTLD) recognizes these pivotal moments. We work closely with faculty to enhance online and hybrid teaching environments.

The IDS team’s mission is to empower faculty by offering personalized support and innovative solutions that make navigating the world of online education smoother and more impactful. From one-on-one physical and virtual drop-in support to self-paced online training and tutorials, we equip instructors with the tools and knowledge they need to create dynamic, student-centered learning experiences.

Contents

1 Video Spotlight
2 A Faculty-Focused Partner
3 Virtual and In-Person Support Services
4 Ready Website: Self-Help Tutorials, Canvas Spotlights, and Course Showcases
5 Rapid Ready Training
6 Faculty Testimonials

Video Spotlight

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A Faculty-Focused Partner

At the heart of MSU Denver’s online and hybrid teaching support is the CTLD’s Instructional Design Support team. Our team is comprised of skilled instructional design support specialists, and we work with faculty to enhance online learning experiences through targeted support and innovative instructional strategies. Whether faculty members are looking for pointers navigating the complex landscape of teaching technologies such as Canvas, MS Teams, or YuJa, or regarding course design, we offer a reliable partnership that puts student success at the forefront.

Virtual and In-Person Support Services

One of the standout offerings from the IDS team is our virtual and in-person support services. We provide timely solutions to faculty members navigating online instruction’s technical and androgogical aspects through live one-on-one virtual troubleshooting on Microsoft Teams, in-person in Room 325 of the Administration Building on the Auraria Campus, by phone at (303) 615-0801, and by email: [email protected]. These services ensure that instructors have immediate access Monday through Friday, 10 am to 3 pm, to expert advice and step-by-step guidance so they can focus on delivering high-quality content to their students.

Ready Website: Self-Help Tutorials, Canvas Spotlights, and Course Showcases

To further support faculty navigating the digital teaching landscape, the IDS team curates a comprehensive collection of self-help tutorials and Canvas spotlights on our CTLD Ready Website. These resources cover various topics, from step-by-step guides on using Canvas tools, such as speedgrader, discussion boards, or the rich content editor, to in-depth explanations of instructional design best practices. Faculty can access these tutorials at any time, making it easy to find real-time support for specific needs. Additionally, the Course Showcases, written by our instructional design team, feature innovative teaching strategies and successes from MSU Denver instructors working alongside our CTLD course developers. They offer real-world examples of how others are leveraging technology and CTLD’s course development cycle to enhance student learning.

Here are a few examples of some popular and recent spotlights:

Copy a Canvas Course
- The article provides a step-by-step guide for instructors to copy a Canvas course into a new semester, ensuring they avoid duplicating template content and maintaining organized course materials. It emphasizes preparation before copying and offers best practices to simplify the process.
Course Showcase – SPA 1000/1010 ¿Cómo anda?
- The SPA 1000/1010 course showcase highlights two innovative introductory Spanish courses designed for online learning: SPA 1010, focused on foundational Spanish, and SPA 1000, a self-paced course for conversational Spanish geared toward travelers. These courses integrate multimedia-rich content, interactive features, and immersive real-world assessments to create dynamic, accessible, and engaging learning environments for students.
Using Generative AI to Enhance Student Learning
- This article explores how generative AI can be integrated into education to enhance student learning by fostering creativity, research skills, and critical thinking. It provides guidance on using AI responsibly in assignments, promoting ethical AI use, and preparing students for future job markets while addressing concerns around academic integrity.

Rapid Ready Training

Our IDS team offers Rapid Ready Training for faculty seeking in-depth training for teaching online courses. These self-paced, on-demand Canvas modules are designed to provide comprehensive support on key topics such as online course design, Canvas functionality, and effective teaching strategies. The training is concise and focused, allowing instructors to quickly gain the skills they need to enhance their courses. Whether you’re preparing for a new semester or seeking to improve a current course, Rapid Ready Training provides you with the flexibility and resources to succeed in online education.

Faculty Testimonials

The impact of the Instructional Design Support team is best reflected in the experiences of the MSU Denver faculty they serve. Here’s what some instructors have to say:

One area they’re particularly strong is in exporting content from one course to another, knowing exactly what needs to be exported and what quite frankly should be left behind. Left to my own devices, I would have made several mistakes. But knowing that the CTLD could assist me in this endeavor has saved me an enormous amount of time, time I can use to think about the content related, substantive direction of my courses. Also, after completing a semester of online courses, they were able to demonstrate certain shortcuts, such as entering assignment dates.

According to the CTLD’s mission statement, “The Center for Teaching Learning, and Design directly supports MSU Denver’s primary mission of offering excellence in teaching and learning. We empower the entire academic community at MSU Denver by promoting instructional methods that increase equity, engagement, and success for both students and faculty at all levels of experience, in all course formats. From my vantage point, the CTLD has succeeded admirably.

Michael A Opheim

Affiliate Faculty
Political Science

The professional, problem-solving approach displayed by each staff member is exceptional.
No matter who took the call, the same level of friendly, empathic, and knowledgeable service was extended. While each staff member showed their personality and sometimes distinct approach, the end result was a positive option, a solution, and a word of encouragement.

I am amazed at the level of customer care, instructional design knowledge, team play approach, and standards of excellence displayed by the CTLD team. Don’t walk, RUN to their offices in order to serve your students more effectively!

Ruth Márquez

Affiliate Faculty
Marketing

The drop-in support is helpful when we have a technical question. It is resolved with one call, thus helping the faculty concentrate on the content rather than labor to figure it out. I cannot think of a time when I called a specific instructional challenge, and the issue was not quickly resolved.

First-time faculty members considering posting course material will quickly realize the time saved and the efficiency compared to other methods even if they are teaching a face-to-face class. It is important to note that this also benefits the students when they can access all the material online. It is a “one-stop shop.”

Mohammed Akacem

Ph.D. Professor
Department of Economics

The most impressive reality of the CTLD drop-in support team is that all of the team members who have assisted me have always been outstanding in their genuine quest to provide valuable assistance in a friendly and proactive manner. In my experience, this is a direct reflection of the dedication, guidance, and quality of the CTLD Leadership Team, which instills and empowers this behavior in each of the CTLD team members.

I have the pleasure of being able to readily and expediently access the CTLD drop-in support team services each semester. I have always received a welcoming interaction and a dedication to helping me solve whatever instructional challenges I encounter from semester to semester. It is an understatement to reflect on the fact that the CTLD team in its entirety has always been helpfully engaging in assisting me. My experience has always been that each team member is willing to take the necessary time within reason to collaborate with me on discovering what instructional challenges I am experiencing. Each individual is committed to discovering the true scope of the situation in an effort to provide the right assistance and guidance relative to each particular situation.

Coach Bob

Bob Farmer, MPS
College of Business
Marketing Department

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the IDS team is critical in ensuring that MSU Denver’s faculty are supported, well-prepared, and equipped to deliver engaging, effective online learning experiences. Whether through timely technical support, personalized consultations, or easy-to-access virtual tutorials, our team stands as a valuable partner in faculty success.