In May, educators from across the university participated in the Drake Institute’s four-day AI-Infused Course Design Institute (CDI), where they explored how artificial intelligence can support thoughtful, evidence-based course design.
The CDI is a longstanding signature program in which instructors learn to “backward design” effective courses that support student learning. This year marked a significant milestone—enrollment for the CDI expanded from 12 to 30 instructors in response to growing interest in the uses of AI for teaching and learning. Since February 2026, AI has been more deeply infused into the program as participants explore university-approved AI tools and how to leverage AI as a thought partner for reimagining their courses.
A Thought Partner for Course Design
The CDI has always centered on backward design, an evidence-based approach to course design that begins with learning goals and builds toward aligned assessments and instructional strategies. At May’s CDI, each participant applied this process step-by-step to build an Integrated Course Plan (ICP), a week-by-week roadmap that aligned their course learning outcomes to assessments and activities for the entire semester.
Rather than treating it as a standalone topic or tool, the CDI integrated AI across each step of the backward design process. Participants learned the SPARC framework for prompting and practiced providing AI tools with the context needed to generate useful, relevant output. Equipped with this structured approach, they moved beyond simple experimentation with AI toward an intentional and productive collaboration that helped them realize their course plans.
Over four sessions, discussion extended beyond course design to the broader implications of AI in higher education. Participants exchanged ideas, challenged assumptions and explored practical approaches for setting transparent expectations for AI use, communicating with students about AI, and integrating AI into coursework in ways that foster academic integrity and support student success. Several participants commented on the value of these conversations, noting that they had applied ideas shared by the group to their Integrated Course Plans.
A Collaborative Effort
The AI-Infused CDI was also an opportunity to bring together educational development expertise from across the university to support instructors with their course plans. Instructional consultants from the Drake Institute served as coaches, providing individualized support and feedback rooted in evidence-based pedagogy. Colleagues from University Libraries, the Center for the Study and Teaching of Writing and the Dennis Learning Center contributed to the CDI by leading discussions and sharing best practices and resources from their respective areas of practice.
By the end of the institute, participants left with more than a completed course plan. With the support of facilitators and peers, they had gained practical strategies, new perspectives and greater confidence in making thoughtful decisions about how to incorporate AI in their teaching.
Join the next AI-Infused CDI
September 8, 11, 15, 18 | 1 - 4:30 p.m. | CarmenZoom
As AI continues to reshape higher education, the AI-Infused CDI will help Ohio State instructors develop the knowledge and skills to adapt while keeping student learning at the center of their work.
Registration is open for the fall CDI! If you’re interested in how AI can support your course planning, we encourage you to join us this September.