What Makes a Good Online Course Template?

Lectures

• Include quality lectures for each module
• Use department content experts for lectures (or good lecturers)  
• If using PowerPoints slides use more images than text when possible

Readings

• Use OER when possible to lower costs for students
• Introduce all readings

Quality and Engaging Videos and Activities

• Locate resources and embed them in LMS when possible
• Consider different learning styles – make sure you have a variety of learning activities – videos, websites, online surveys, etc.
• Place all videos and activities on pages in the LMS so they can be introduced and tied to assessments

Interaction

• Provide opportunities for student to student and instructor to student interaction throughout the course

Assessments

• Match all assessments to learning outcomes 
• Match assessments up with course content so students will engage in the material (students are less likely to engage in content they are not assessed on)

More information on course content

Homepage

• Provide a landing spot for students when they arrive to the course that explains how to use the course
  ➜ Example

Start Here Module

• Use a start here module to provide an introduction to the course, including the syllabus and schedule
  ➜ Example

Modules

• Use modules to create an outline of the course where content can be placed (e.g., Units, Lessons, Topics, etc) 
• Each module is the equivalent of a week's worth of work during a normal semester (in shorter semesters students can complete multiple modules in a week)
• Each module should laid out consistently with the following:

• 
  

  • Module Overview with To Do List
  • Lectures
  • Readings
  • Quality and engaging videos and activities

  ➜ Example
• More information on Modules

Visuals and Images

• Use visuals and images throughout course to draw student interest and to make the content more memorable and meaningful

Navigation

• Simplify the navigation menu and tools to remove superfluous items that students don't need
  
  

➜ TIP: Keep the course generic, without dates or references to weeks, so the template can be used across all semesters. (e.g., don’t refer to weeks in lectures or text --- instead of “Next week we will be studying….” Say “In the next module we will be studying….”)

To Do List

• Provide a To Do list for instructors who are teaching the course. Even though the template has the course content, instructors will need a checklist to know where they can/should personalize the course for their use. 

➜ Example Instructor To Do List

Resources and Direction

• Provide resources and direction for instructors. Many haven't taught online or do not know the resources available. Have a page that discusses best practices for teaching online and how to stay engaged. These can be valuable tools for instructors.