Instructional Support
About and services
In the CTLD, we are both pedagogy and technology. Course design, educational technology, and Elearning (D2L) work as one team - the people who understand how students learn are the same people building and adjusting your course. We manage these systems with faculty and instructors, not just for them. Whatever you're working on, reach out, and we'll point you to the right support or dig in for you.
Services
- 1:1 support for Elearning, instructional strategies, accessibility, educational technology, and AI in teaching
- Course development and design for all modalities
- Course building assistance
- Mediasite, iClicker, publisher content, and other LMS tools
- Western Essential Studies (WES) course support
- Course reviews and check-ups to support navigable, accessible, and supportive learning experiences
- Accessibility reviews and course remediation assistance
- Programmatic and curricular support
- Department-focused workshops and trainings
Connect with Support
CTLD support hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a member of the team.
Support is available on a walk-in basis at the University Computing Center (UCC), room 2011, and by appointment on the 3rd floor of Ellsworth Hall and on the second floor of the WMU Downtown Grand Rapids campus.
Resources
Resources
Semester To Do List
Whether you're preparing for the start of a new semester, guiding your learners through the midterm, wrapping up final grades, or reflecting on ways to enhance your course, this comprehensive checklist is here to support you. We've organized the key tasks and resources into four manageable sections, so you can easily navigate to the information you need, exactly when you need it. Use the icons below to jump directly to the relevant section, or scroll down to explore all the details.
The Syllabus
As the central communication, planning, and scheduling document for a course, a carefully structured syllabus ensures that instructors can manage their students' - and their own - time and effort throughout the semester. Over time, the syllabus has shifted from an instructor-centered, rules-based document to one that supports students in self-directed learning.
Elearning Guides
When you need to set up your gradebook, build a quiz, or make sense of an unfamiliar tool, this is the place to start. Our library of step-by-step articles and video tutorials walks you through Elearning and the other technologies WMU supports, so you can find a quick answer to a specific question or work through a whole task at your own pace - and connect with a real person whenever you need more.
Course Accessibility Support
When your course is accessible, every student can fully engage with your material - and you don't have to build that on your own. Whether you want a full course review, help making sense of your Ally scores, captions for your videos, or just a person to sit down with and get started, our team will help you find and remove the barriers in your course content.
AI, Teaching, and Learning
Not sure where to begin with AI, or how to talk about it with your students? Whether you're exploring generative AI for the first time or rethinking your classroom policies, this page helps you get your footing in a fast-changing landscape. You'll find quick-start guidance, practical articles, curated resources, and examples of how WMU colleagues are already putting these tools to work in their own courses.
Intro to Functional Course Design
Building a new course, moving one online, or giving a familiar one a refresh? This guide breaks course design into a clear, step-by-step process you can follow start to finish or dip into wherever you need it. You'll get the templates, checklists, and practical guidance to create courses that are well-aligned, easy to navigate, engaging, and accessible - on your own or alongside an instructional designer.