The simple mundane details that the authors point out such as the different visual cues to be used in effectively organizing and presenting a course design would not have been something I would have thought of; the authors truly approach the task of course design in a way that makes it accessible to someone who is almost completely naive in the area. From the initial idea and the tentative outline to the establishment of intended learning outcomes to the continued adjustment and refinement of the course design, even during the teaching process to some degree, the authors provide a truly comprehensive guide to course design in this chapter. The different methods of laying out the course design that the authors discuss (which are not mutually exclusive, as is pointed out) are also very helpful for understanding exactly what is needed in an effective course design, and of course how to present this information in an effective manner. Conceptual maps, narratives, and flow charts each receive separate attention in this chapter, and all can be incredibly helpful in determining how to most effectively design a course and promote the achievement of the intended learning...

After their discussion of these various elements of the design itself, the authors also take time to reflect on one of the most essential aspects of course design -- determining the appropriate level of information and instruction for the students. This is one of the most basic yet entirely fundamental parts of any good course design; if the materials and objectives are not student-appropriate, the most brilliant design in the world would still fail.
Again, this demonstrates he effectiveness that these authors are capable of when they address things in a concrete fashion before explaining theoretical and abstract concepts. There is certainly a great deal of theory involved in determining students' capabilities, and in determining what the most effective strategy would be for teaching a group of students with necessarily mixed abilities. But instead of simply describing the different theoretical approaches and frameworks, the authors simply show the importance of determining the students' abilities and the various methods for accomplishing this. When their writing is this direct and to the point, the text is much easier to follow and mush more useful.