Planning for Teaching With the Web
Course Website
Below are some suggestions for design of course web sites that came out of the School of Nursing Technology Survey conducted in 2003. You can also view full survey results related to Course Websites.
Include a "Getting Started" Page
Students relying on web sites to present the major themes of a course, they are also using them to coordinate and structure their own studying. Include a "Getting Started" Page which contains everything the students need to know about how to make it through the course. It should include:
- Syllabus
- Other course policy documents
- Links to technical support
- Your contact information, including availability by email
Outline a "drumbeat" or rhythm for students to follow on a weekly basis so that they can quickly get into the swing of participating in the course (remember, distance learners do not have weekly class times to provide structure or a work rhythm.)
For example: Should students access new content on Monday, discuss on Wednesday, do new research and write a report for Friday? How often (or when) should students check the website for announcements?
"Having course web sites for lecture, notes, assignments, schedules, emails for quick communication makes it easier to be prepared for classes & know what to study."
"The links in the assignment modules are great for getting information and helping to assist the novice researcher in where to look for knowledge."
"Course web sites are a big help. Having all the information in [the] same place is great."
"Course web sites – nice to have if you lose or don’t have the syllabus with you."
"The course web site was very helpful because you could access the information at any time to check up on dates, directions, etc."
Centralize Information
When you design modules or assignments, the use of tools should be embedded within the content modules themselves. That is, students should not be forced to leave content areas and look for tools somewhere else within the course in order to manipulate the content they are learning.
For example, if a student is to read and then comment on specific questions regarding that reading, the student should be able to access both the reading and the discussion from the same page.
TIP: In addition to providing links to relevant tools within modules or assignments, also include a one-stop page where students can find links to all of the tools (databases, discussion board, etc.) and resources they will need for this course.
By combining these approaches in your course website you provide two kinds of access to important things: in the context of a task or assignment as well as in a single collection of resources.
Keep Website Up-to-Date
When course web sites are not updated in a timely manner, students become frustrated with them. This is particularly apparent when course assignments and due dates are not updated online.
"When the web site that lists assignments is not up to date, it wastes precious time and gets frustrating to figure out what assignments are due."
"I wish that all the assignments and work due could be found on one comprehensive page, it is somewhat of a hassle to keep checking all 3 pages."
"I also have become almost obsessive about checking the class web sites – because you can’t really tell if, or when it was last updated."
Include Supplementary Information
Many students appreciated course web sites for providing avenues for exploring topics of particular interest to them.
"The hyperlinks and online resources in each module make for an easy shortcut to gather extra info on specific topics—saving lots of time from internet searching."
"Course web sites provide me with many opportunities to explore sites of learning and gain information efficiently."
"Web sites – good way to find extra info or clarification for products."
"The links in the assignment modules are great for getting information and helping to assist the novice researcher in where to look for knowledge."
