Framework

Building the Course Framework

An Overview

Remember the expression "There is only one first impression - so make it a good one"? Well, it holds true for online courses as well. It is very important to design the "framework" of a course so a student's first impression is very positive - it can impact or influence their motivation and confidence about the online course.

To begin adding these framework components to a Blackboard course you must access the Control Panel for the course.

The "framework" for an online course contains information and materials that students will use to help them understand how to register for a course, locate course materials, complete activities, participate, submit assignments, and receive credit for completing the course. In Chapter 4 of his text Horton presents many great ideas that you may want to include in your online course.

Before you begin to design the actual content and lessons within your course, you can develop the supporting framework of the course. Within Blackboard, you can create these "framework" components for a course:

(click here for a printable version of all the framework components listed above)

"A course framework consists of all the routine parts of the course that do not teach subject matter but that are nevertheless an essential part of the course."

~ William Horton
Designing Web-based Training
p. 78

Related Reading:

Chapter 4
Build the Framework

What do I do after this lesson?

~As soon as I receive from you the title and topic for the online course you will be developing, I will have a Blackboard course created for you. You will be the instructor of record, and will use Blackboard to present your course to your students.

~ Begin working on your own "framework" components you would like to use. Some will be added to your own Blackboard course (such as the threaded discussions, surveys, or evaulations.) Other framework components will be distributed to your audience as handouts (course manual, course organization, about the instructor). From experience, I've found that it can take longer than you might first anticipate to create these framework components, so don't wait until the last minute! You will be glad that these framework components are finished before you begin creating and adding the actual lessons for your online course.

~ Be sure to include ALL the components presented in this lesson.

~ These "framework" components are due on October 6th! I will login to your Blackboard course to see how you have designed it, and will look for all the "framework" components.