How to Prepare for the Initial Meeting With Your Instructional Designer

Jan. 29, 2021

Tips for instructors on what to bring and what to expect from the initial meeting with your instructional designer.

Two people having a virtual meeting.

After your course has been approved, you will receive a welcome letter from the Digital Learning leadership team. The welcome letter includes the name of your Instructional Designer (ID) and lists resources that are available to you as you develop your online course.

Your ID will contact you to set up an initial meeting. The initial meeting is usually 30-60 minutes and covers topics such as:

  • What an instructional designer does and how we can help you develop your course using a course map. A course map is a tool used by instructional designers as a blueprint for your course. For more information on what goes into a course map, visit The Online Course Mapping Guide.

  • Your vision for your online course and your general ideas regarding learning outcomes, learning materials, and assessments.

  • The media, technology, and quality assurance resources available to you through Digital Learning. 

In order to make the initial meeting with your instructional designer as productive as possible, we recommend that you prepare the following items:

  • Bring your syllabus and/or learning outcomes. The syllabus is a helpful tool to start building out your course map. Additionally, it gives your ID insight into your teaching style. 

  • Jot down what you do in your in-person or iCourse course, and what you want to continue doing, what you want to change for online. If you teach the same course in-person, it is unlikely that you can plug it into D2L and you walk away. While many components of an in-person course translate well into the online modality, certain elements will require careful planning in order to “work” online.  

  • Think through your questions and concerns about your course or online learning in general. Common concerns and questions involve teamwork, projects, student-to-student interaction, academic integrity. Bringing these up at the initial meeting will allow your ID to alleviate your anxiety and work on creative solutions tailored to your unique needs. 

  • Come with an open mind. If you have never taught online before and you’re feeling overwhelmed, your instructional designer is there to guide you through the process.