NYU Classes: Design Notes

Create a Clear, Welcoming Course Site Structure

Take a moment to look at the default list of tools that are part of your course navigation menu (along the left-hand side of your course site). Will you use all of these tools? Will your students? Does the hierarchy (top to bottom) follow a logical order? Pro Tip: Customize the menu to suit your and your students’ needs. Start simple, and edit as needed. Read this guide on managing site tools for further help, and watch the video on this page for a brief demo.

Review Guidance from your NYU School, Department, Program

Some schools and/or departments might have a “default” menu of tools that they’d like you to use within NYU Classes. Those tools are probably there for a reason. If you haven't already, talk to your local educational technology team to inquire about rules and regulations around changing your course site tools.

Common Tools and Why We Use Them

There are lots of tools available in NYU Classes. Most can be turned off/on through the Settings menu, in the Add/Edit Tools tab. Here's a run-down of the tools we'll focus on in this training website:

    • Overview (this is the default “homepage” for your course, and pulls in important information like Announcements and the Calendar)

    • Syllabus (a tool to upload/share what is likely the most important document for your course...your syllabus!)

    • Announcements and Messages (core communication tools for messaging your students through your course site)

    • Forums (for asynchronous discussions)

    • Zoom (for synchronous meetings and discussions)

    • Lessons (and Resources, but the focus is on Lessons for front-facing content)

    • Assignments (provide a prompt, points, deadlines, and enable students to submit work online)

    • Gradebook (keep an organized record of students’ grades and your valuable feedback)

    • Media Gallery (if you use video, and we hope you’ll consider it, this is where the magic happens!)

    • Roster (student info at a class, also helps to build community by presenting a list of course members and contact details)