Week 3 Course Components

Week 3:
Constructing the Frame

Course Components

This course assumes that you have already thought through addressing the learning principles and standards required by your institution. If necessary, complete that work on your course too.

Introduction
This week we will set up the structure or framework for the modules of your online course. Remember the Resources section has instructions and helps you complete this part.

Framing Up The Walls

1. Chunk your course into modules. Decide how many weeks the course will be. Decide what topics you will address each week of the course. Leave room for an introduction to online learning in the first week and assessment in the last week. Here are a couple examples that show how the chunking is listed in the syllabus:

EDRM 605 AU Qualitative Research by Shirley Freed (Note that the links to the modules are right in the syllabus, but not included here for space purposes.)

AVLN's Technology in the Early Elementary Classroom by Janine Lim (Note here the Detailed Agenda section. The first part shows what is included in each week. The second part shows what topic is included each week.

Creating WebQuests by Janine Lim (Note the Weekly Work and Weekly Topics sections of this syllabus. This syllabus needs a bit more work but you get the idea.)

2. Create a module template. Jot down ideas for what you envision including for each section and/or write the rationale for each part of your template. See the example templates in the article, Essentials: Structure and Routine in Online Courses.

Then post your ideas (Word, HTML or PDF) in the Discussion Board for feedback. One way to organize your post would be to attach a module template file, and then in your message describe your chunking plan. Or you may have more than one post for multiple attachments (Blackboard doesn't allow you to attach more than one file per message.) Use a method that works best for you.

Timing: Work on Course Components Monday and Tuesday and post your work by Wednesday night each week. Thursday through Sunday we will participate in Community Feedback.

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