Resources

DF Home Core Modules Designing for Education Resources

For this module, we have assembled a selection of resources related to the topics and questions we will be exploring. Resources are divided into two categories:

Group Resources are meant to be reviewed (and annotated) by everyone in the module cohort.
Choice Resources allow you to choose at least one additional items to read and annotate that is relevant to your interests and experiences

Annotation

We will be making use of Hypothes.is for group annotation of resources. You’ll need to follow these steps to participate in annotation activity:

If you don’t have a Hypothes.is account signup for one now. If you do, make sure you know your username and password.
Join the Design Forward Hypothes.is annotation group.
Add an extension or bookmarklet for your browser:
- Chrome official extension (best option)
- Firefox unoffical extension
- Firefox & Safari bookmarklet
Visit any reading/resource and click the extension icon or bookmarklet to open the Hypothesis sidebar (it will appear on the right-hand side of the webpage).
Open the sidebar and click “Log In.” Enter your Hypotheis credentials and make sure you’ve chosen the “Design Forward” group from the dropdown in the sidebar.
Begin annotating!

Group Resources

These are for everyone to read/review and annotate:

Critical Instructional Design

Sean Michael Morris

Recent Annotation:

I am very inspired by this in relation to my precious thoughts reading this article. How can I remain centered… »

Posted by: krlivingstone on August 14, 2025

Teaching as Design

Peter Goodyear

Recent Annotation:

Great video! It triples my appreciation for the notion of educator as curator. »

Posted by: mindofmoser on July 22, 2026

Militaristic Origins, Power, and Faux-Neutrality: A Graduate Student’s Interrogation of Traditional Instructional Design

Hannah Mallon

Recent Annotation:

We will all miss you Elm!!!! »

Posted by: mgraustein on July 28, 2026

Choice Resources

Choose at least one resource from this list to read/review and annotate.

Blame, shame, and the desire for certainty

Hannah Mallon

Check out this NEW resource Hannah M has been working on. Share your feedback or thoughts with her in annotations!

7 Innovative Approaches to Course Design

Steven Mintz

Recent Annotation:

This would be fun in my psychology and the law class! »

Posted by: mpaivasa on August 12, 2025

#RealCollege Syllabus Design: Writing a Syllabus for the Students We Teach

Melissa Winchell

Recent Annotation:

Oh golly, now I have to look at all these too. »

Posted by: mpaivasa on August 12, 2025

Complex Knitting and Critical Instructional Design: A Problem-Solving Mindset

Sonja Burrows

Recent Annotation:

I would add here that the problem-solving mindset is supported by reframing the concept of failure and knowing when to… »

Posted by: bneenos on July 9, 2026

Never forget: your course is not only yours

Robin DeRosa

Recent Annotation:

yes- the people. this is sometimes lost in an environment of precarity. »

Posted by: Ragrant on July 18, 2026

Traveling in Troy With an Instructional Designer

Jonan Phillip Donaldson

Recent Annotation:

I'm still not entirely clear on what constitutes an "environment" for the author... »

Posted by: sdparrish on July 12, 2026

Counter-friction to Stop the Machine: The Endgame for Instructional Design

Martha Burtis & Jesse Stommel

Recent Annotation:

I appreciate the acknowledgement of multiple crises- many un or under acknowledged. »

Posted by: rllyons on July 14, 2025

Designing for Emergence

Mary Stewart

Recent Annotation:

yes! interesting to consider this in regard to where we are now with AI! »

Posted by: Ragrant on May 29, 2026

Reframing UDL: The Plus-One Approach

Potential Design Inspiration

For this module, we’ve created a bonus resource category. These are various resources/readings related to frameworks, approaches, and strategies that may provide you with some food for though or inspiration as you consider your own approach to instructional design. These are not even necessarily related to instructional design. The goal here is to see if there are sources of inspiration that could help you unlock or unpack your own work.