How to Implement a Template?

Below are some of the steps to implementing a template.

STEP

1

Get Departmental Buy-In

Getting departmental buy-in is the first step to creating a template. This usually means talking to the chair or another departmental representative about how a template could be a good solution for their department, students, and faculty.

See Why Use Templates? for ideas on what to share with the chair.

stick figure giving high five to a template "person" and the words "Let's do it!" in a conversation bubble

STEP

2

Locate Key Players

Once the department is committed to the idea of a new template, the key players need to be recruited (or assigned) to create, design, and implement the template. These people include the following (we'll go into more detail on their roles in Step 3).

Departmental Subject Matter Expert(s)
Instructional Designer
Departmental Appointee

➜ TIP: If there are multiple subject matter experts have one main contact in the department who provides oversight.

a template "person" with two stick figures on the side of them with two keys above their heads

STEP

3

Develop the Course

As the course is developed the instructional designer (ID) works with the departmental subject matter expert(s) to develop the content of the template and place it in the course (or LMS). More details on each person's role are below.

Departmental Subject Matter Expert(s):
This person(s) will put together the content and create or help coordinate the video lectures.

Instructional Designer
The ID will help with organizing and placing the content, creating graphics, formatting the course, etc. They also assist with the project management aspect of the course development process and keeping things on the right timeline.

Departmental Appointee:
This is the person in the department who will oversee the template and the instructors using it. Often times this is the subject matter expert who helped develop the template.

For ideas on what to include in the template see What Makes a Good Online Course Template?

a template "person" with a hardhat on and bricks beside them

STEP

4

Roll-out the Template

Once the course is developed and approved, the roll-out of the template will primarily be done by the department.

HOUSING THE TEMPLATE: House template in safe location where only key players have access (and make a back-up!).

UPDATES: Departmental appointee updates template each semester with current dates and then copies course into the course shells for those teaching the course.

HANDING IT OVER: Instructors using the template receive a briefing on how to implement it and use the course checklist to personalize course.

a template "person" on the red carpet with star floating above them

STEP

5

Keep it Updated

Much of the work of developing a template is up front. Small updates will occur from semester to semester as needed when a link breaks or something needs to be clarified or changed. These changes are typically completed by the departmental appointee who is overseeing the template.

➜ Every 3 to 5 years the department should complete a full review of the template with the help of the instructional design office.

a template "person" on a hospital bed hooked up to an IV and a monitor in the background

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