This is a brief introduction/overview of what will be covered this week, any assignments or exams due, and any special topics in the reading to pay close attention to. It should be 2-4 paragraphs written by the Course Developer.

This can be thought of as the first 5-10 minutes of an in-seat class.

Every week should include some kind of multimedia - video, podcast, simulation, etc. - preferably multiple examples, but a minimum of one per week. Video can be a useful element to an online course, but it should not be the focus, and videos should not be long if not professionally produced. Video is great for things such as practical demonstrations of skills and techniques, but it should not be used for lectures. A video should be looked at as a supplement to the week’s lesson, not the main element.

• Students will not watch a video that is too long, low quality, or boring.

• Video is a passive medium and does not usually support active learning.

• Producing professional quality video is expensive, time consuming, and requires special skills.

• It is difficult to update a lecture with new information that is in video form.

The lecture should act as a supplement to the assigned reading and is the voice of the instructor in the course. It will focus on the most important parts of the material for the week and enhance understanding for the student. The lecture should definitely include embedded images and external links for further study, and can also include additional video, audio if desired. It should engage the student with some kind of interactivity where possible (pop ups, etc).

• Supports active learning by the student

• More engaging than a video lecture

• Supports asynchronous learning, allowing the student to resume studying at any time and place, consume the information in chunks, print the information for later, etc.

• Much easier to update when there are changes in the field, textbook, etc. without affecting the whole course

A graded activity can take many forms as long as its completion fulfills a course objective. There should be at least one or two per week. For example, a discussion prompt to respond to and a worksheet or quiz.

• Discussions

  • Requires an initial response and a number of replies to fellow students.

• Worksheets

• Papers, Essays

• Projects

• Quizzes and Exams