Plan your course framework
When planning your course framework:
- Identify the learning outcomes of your course
- Create a clear learning path in your course syllabus
- Replicate the learning path in your syllabus to D2L Brightspace
Course design with the backward design model
With the transition to remote teaching, we recommend using the backward design model (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) to ensure intentionality in your course design (see diagram below).
After identifying your learning outcomes, consider how you will assess the learning outcomes for your course through the use of remote-appropriate assessments.
Lastly, identify what activities you will facilitate to support student learning; these activities can be through student-to-content, student-to-student, and student-to-instructor interaction (part of steps 3 to 5 in this process).
Planning your course syllabus
In your syllabus (opens in new window) , create a clear learning path for the course. Provide a clear, current structure in your syllabus by week with:
- This Week’s Tasks
- Assigned Readings
- Course Materials
- Activities
- Assessments and due dates
Let students know that all content, resources, activities and communications will be outlined in the course hub.
For each week, outline how and when you will deliver content
Indicate the approximate time (external link, opens in new window) it will take to complete the course materials for the week, to support time management. Include reading time, audio or video run time, and estimated time to complete any activities or assessments.
Planning your course ‘hub’
Once you’ve designed your syllabus, it’s time to set up your D2L Brightspace course shell to become a course ‘hub’. Communicating a clear path through the course for students is extremely important in an online environment. Replicate the learning path from the course syllabus in D2L Brightspace, identifying the order in which learning materials, activities, and assessments should be accessed.
- Request and set up a course shell in D2L Brightspace (opens in new window) to act as the "hub" for your course.
- If you plan to leverage Google Drive for sharing course materials, or facilitating activities request a class Google Group (opens in new window) , and create a shared class folder on Google Drive (opens in new window) .
- Create a content module in D2L Brightspace (opens in new window) specifically for the course syllabus, and associated administrative documents. Then, use content modules to organize content (opens in new window) , by topic, by week, or by module, for easy reference.
- Leverage the 'description' section of a D2L Brightspace content module (opens in new window) to clearly outline the lesson plan for the week/module.
- Consider encouraging students to enable their Brightspace notifications (opens in new window) to ensure they are up to date with the course.
- Upload handouts, readings or any other supporting documents to their respective content modules in D2L Brightspace (opens in new window) . Be mindful of copyright (opens in new window) - you might not be permitted to upload (distribute) a document that you previously provided as a handout in class.
- If you would like to reveal more content as students complete tasks, you can add release conditions (opens in new window) in your D2L Brightspace modules.
Teaching a large class?
Take a look at our (google doc) guide to Course Navigation and Management (external link) for some tips