Basic LMS course shell and content

Overview

This sample course created in Blackboard was created to demonstrate design best practices utilizing fundamental aspects of the Quality Matters rubric in order to help instructors meet the rubric requirements.

Process

For this project, the Blackboard LMS course shell began blank.  I conceptualized the basic design and created the necessary content that would be utilized in the shell design.  The left-hand navigation menu is streamlined and simplified in order to ensure minimal student confusion on entering the course.  A "start here" navigation button is present and the associated pages give the learner precise instructions on how to get started in the course.  Students are introduced to the instructor to help facilitate the student-instructor relationship.  In Lesson 1, students are directed to post an introduction discussion topic and then complete an orientation quiz.

This course was designed using QM rubric, Canva, curated commons pictures, clipart, and Blackboard LMS.

Evaluation

This course shell meets the minimum requirements provided by the QM rubric for new instructors to use as a guide and template.  The client was satisfied with the design and elements provided.

Takeaways

This course design enabled me to design in Backboard LMS utilizing eLearning design best practices.  Blackboard LMS is quite limited in its design elements in comparison to D2L Brightspace or even Canvas but is significantly more robust than Moodle.  I have created and designed courses in each of these Learning Management Systems.

 In future iterations of this shell, a video welcome or audio welcome would be added to the "Meet the Instructor" section as well as a walkthrough video of the course navigation in Lesson 1 - Orientation.  

Sample Blackboard Course walkthrough