TLi Course Starter Kit 3.0

The TLi Course Starter Kit, first created in 2021, has been updated to version 3.0 (2026). The kit is designed to reduce time spent on the technological development of a course and increase the time available for what really matters— developing quality content and laying the groundwork for an inclusive learning environment. This starter kit is designed for use and adaptation in all course modalities.

Alignment With Quality Standards

• The kit is aligned with the Quality Learning and Teaching (QLT) CSU Rubric, one of two rubrics approved by the CSU Online Course Service (OCS) for defining criteria for well-designed digital learning environments.
• The kit is also developed using accessibility best practices aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA standards, meaning your course begins at a high level of digital accessibility before you’ve added a single piece of content.
• Research-based pedagogical practices, such as transparency in learning (TILT), connections to community and career, and student-centered design, are built directly into the course structure, so you’re not starting from scratch.

What’s In The Kit?

• The kit includes an Course Development Support Module that is meant to remain unpublished. Think of it as a built-in instructor’s guide with videos and linked resources to help you get started using the kit to build a student-centered course.
• An Accessibility Support Module (also unpublished) provides guidance and resources to help you maintain the kit’s accessibility standards as you build out your content.
• The kit features a mobile-responsive layout, ensuring your course is easy to navigate on phones and tablets — important because many students access Canvas primarily from a mobile device.
• A customizable Homepage gives your course a polished, welcoming entry point that you can tailor to reflect your course identity.
• Three Weekly Module Templates provide a consistent, pedagogically informed structure for organizing your course content — choose from a standard format, one organized by due dates, or one designed for in-person delivery.
• The Start Here Module includes several pages to help orient your students to your course, introduce yourself, and foster a warm and welcoming digital climate from day one.ity, etc.

Starter Kit 3.0 Course Tour Video

Accessing the TLi Course Starter Kit in Canvas Commons

There are two ways to access the Starter Kit:

1. Access Starter Kit 3.0 here
2. Log in to myCI and open CI Learn. Click on Commons located on your Canvas Dashboard in the Global Navigation Sidebar. Search for TLi Course Starter Kit 3.0 in Canvas Commons

*Please note that you will be able to preview all Starter Kit content prior to importing.

Importing the Starter Kit

Once you have accessed the Starter Kit in Commons, click the “Import/Download” button on the top right to import the Starter Kit into a selected course.