CRDI Updates
The 2026 CRDI will have 2 formats: an on-site version running May 12-15, 2026 and an online version running September 3-November, 5, 2026. Applications are due April 3, 2026.
About the Institute
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success (CETLSS) announces the 2026 Course (Re)Design Institute, which will support instructors in the design or redesign of one of their courses. During the Institute, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn how to apply research-based teaching and learning principles to course design;
- Begin to brainstorm the (re)design of a course built on learner-centered design principles; and
- Network and collaborate with peers from across campus.
The Course (Re)Design Institute (CRDI) is perfect for instructors who:
- Will be teaching a new or new-to-you course and aren't sure where to start;
- No longer enjoy teaching a course they've taught many times before;
- Are struggling with a teaching challenge (e.g., decline in student engagement, new technology, modality change, etc.); and/or
- Really enjoy thinking and talking about teaching and learning
The 2026 CRDI will be offered in two formats—you will choose your desired format at the time of registration.
- On-site CRDI runs at App State in Boone from May 12-15, 2026. The time and structure vary slightly each day depending on activities, but 8:30-3:30 is the typical daily face-to-face commitment with some homework in the evenings to prepare for the following day. Days are spent in a mix of direct instruction, learning and engagement activities, and frequent interaction in pairs, small groups, and large group discussion.
- Online CRDI runs from September 3 - November 5, 2026. The online version of the institute blends synchronous work in Zoom on select Thursdays from 11 am-12 pm with asynchronous work completed in AsULearn. Synchronous sessions involve a mix of conversation and activities; asynchronous work is a mix of solo reflection and providing feedback to peers.
Which format is right for you? Factors to consider:
- Your calendar
- Your willingness to travel to the Boone campus
- Your preference for a 4 full days vs. content spread over 2 months
- Your ability to commit during summer vs. during the Fall semester
- Your preference for a high-energy, in-person institute vs. an institute that spreads interaction across months and modalities
Note that your teaching modality need not automatically dictate the format of your CRDI participation (e.g., online instructors in online CRDI)—pick the format that best fits YOUR needs. Both institutes are designed for all teaching modalities.
Cost and Stipend
CRDI is offered at no cost to instructors selected to participate in the learning experience (i.e., the 4-day on-site institute or the 2-month online institute).
After the Institute, participants who wish to earn a stipend will work with CETLSS staff in an iterative process to align their course design with the Teaching Quality Framework and the principles introduced during the Institute. Based on available budget this year, we can offer $750 stipends to support this iterative work, which concludes with the submission of several course design artifacts. Once your course artifacts demonstrate mastery of the CRDI learning objectives—which has taken participants anywhere from a few days to several months to achieve—participants will earn their stipends. Please note that this stipended course design work will take place after the 4-day institute (or outside of the Zoom sessions and asynchronous learning, in the online format). That is, the Institute is not an open‑ended writing or course‑design retreat, but a scaffolded professional development experience; the stipend is awarded for the structured design work completed after the Institute.
Application and Selection Process
To apply for the 2026 Course (Re)Design Institute (on-site or online), please complete and submit the application on the following page. Submit your application here by Friday, April 3, 2026.
Review of applications will begin directly after the due date. Interest in CRDI continues to grow, and with limited capacity and reduced budgets, we may not be able to offer a spot to every applicant this year. In our decision-making, we will prioritize the following:
- Applicants who have not previously completed CRDI
- Faculty who are facing a clear existing or anticipated pedagogical challenge
- Representation across departments, teaching modalities, and career stages to help shape a well‑balanced cohort
If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Masland of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success at maslandlc@appstate.edu.