Enhancing online courses by utilizing “Backward Design”

ABSTRACT One of the most important questions posed by faculty and curriculum designers is, what content should be included in my online course design? To answer this question, it is important to reflect on the type of knowledge or skills students will be expected to gain during their term of study. There are three common designs for course development: Forward, Central and Backward. Each will be addressed in this article, but the main focus is on Backward Design which emphasizes beginning with the end goal or established learning objectives. The authors agree that Backward Design has been particularly effective in their field of expertise in the areas of hospitality and event management at three separate institutions. During a period when instructors are re-examining every aspect of their teaching due to mandatory modifications in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic is the perfect time to investigate the steps used in Backward Design and to explore the methods that best apply to building an online course in tourism-based programs of study.