Inclusive Course Design Institute

The Inclusive Course Design Institute (ICDI) is an intensive interdisciplinary program designed to help new and experienced Assistant Instructors (AIs) design a course from the ground up. Over the course of four weeks in July, selected participants will work synchronously via Zoom and asynchronously via Canvas on a variety of collaborative and self-reflective activities as they learn to integrate accessible and inclusive teaching practices to promote community and belonging throughout each stage of course design. By using principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and best-practices from other evidence-based course-design frameworks, participants developed a syllabus for a new course using strategies to maximize success for all students in their classrooms. 

The 2024 cohort for the Inclusive Course Design Institute has been selected. Applications are now closed. We will post information about the 2025 ICDI in May.

What are the benefits?

The Inclusive Course Design Institute gives graduate students and post-docs an opportunity to develop a syllabus for a course that they will teach either now or in the future. These syllabi can become part of participants' teaching portfolio. In addition, participants who complete the ICDI will receive a certificate of completion and a stipend generously provided by the Graduate School and the College of Liberal Arts. 

What will I learn?

You can expect to learn principles of backward design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and best-practices from other evidence-based course-design frameworks to help you develop a syllabus for a new course. At the end of the ICDI, participants will be able to:

• Deconstruct assumptions about students in order to center empathy and accessibility in course design
• Align planned course objectives, assessments, and activities to support students in meeting their learning goals
• Integrate accessible and inclusive teaching practices to promote community and belonging throughout each stage of course design
• Apply relevant best practices from evidence-based course design frameworks, including backward design, Bloom’s and other taxonomies, and/or TILT (Transparency in Learning and Teaching) to create a student-centered syllabus for a uniquely designed course

Who is eligible?

The ICDI is open to applications from graduate students and post-docs from all Colleges at UT. Priority acceptance into the program will go to those who will be Assistant Instructors (AI) designing their own course for the first time for the fall or spring semesters of the application year. If you do not know your assignment yet, or if you would like to work on a sample syllabus for job application materials, you may apply imagining a course that you would like to teach. If space is available after priority applicants have been selected, non-teaching applications will be considered. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants.

How can I apply?

Applications for the 2024 ICDI are now closed. Please check back in May for the 2025 application.

What have others said?

“I knew during the summer that I was learning a lot and that I would put it into practice this fall, but I didn't realize how much.  It has been so useful, and I feel more strengthened and confident as an AI than I would otherwise.  I also like that I had the opportunity to put thought behind my policies, which helps me as well as my students as I explain, not only how we're going to do things, but why we're doing them in that way. Your course made a big difference, and I am increasingly grateful for the opportunity!"

"...[T]he entire institute was useful...It has given me the knowledge and the tools I need to be able to build an inclusive course from the bottom up."