Introduction - Towson



IntroductionThe Online Course Templates are customizable Blackboard course templates that feature placeholders and models for a comprehensive online course. You can import the template into a Blackboard course site to provide layout and structure as you develop an online or blended course. These templates are based on effective teaching practice and the Quality Matters standards for quality online course design in a format that you can easily customize depending on your own course needs.If You Are Already Using an Online Course TemplateIf you already use the Online Course Template in a course you plan to copy, you should not add it again. Instead, copy your course content from a previous course to the new one. You may need to reorder menu items after your course is copied to match the original order in Appendix A. For instructions on copying courses, please see Blackboard’s Course Copy help sheet (PDF).Choose an Online Course TemplateYou have two template options. Option 1: The Online Course Template is the main version of this tool. This template includes essential placeholders for course components that you can edit and customize. This streamlined template provides is simple and easy to edit. For a preview of the main Online Course Template, see Appendix A and B. Directions for adding this template start below.Option 2: If you prefer additional guidance, the Detailed Online Course Template is a second template option. In addition to the placeholders in the main template, this version directs faculty through the course design process by including item descriptions, suggestions, and instructions for use. A sample of the detail provided in this second template is provided in Appendix C. If you prefer the detailed version, please see instructions starting on page 5.Option 1: Add the Online Course TemplateStep 1: If Needed, Combine Course SectionsIf you intend to combine course sections, do so before proceeding. Otherwise, your final course may contain multiple copies of the template.Log in to TechHelp with your TU NetID.For Request Type, choose Employee Role | Blackboard | Course Combine plete the Request Detail as instructed.Click Save.Blackboard will contact you when the combined course is ready to use.Step 2: Choose or Request a CourseTo reduce confusion and clean-up, we suggest importing the template into a course site you haven’t used before. You can choose to add the template to a course site that has been automatically generated in Blackboard, or you can request a “shell” course in which to develop your content.To request a shell course:Log in to TechHelp with your TU NetID.For Request Type, choose Employee Role | Blackboard | Other Related Questions or Requests.For Request Detail, ask for the FACET Online Course Template to be added to a new course shell. Blackboard will contact you when the course has been created.Step 3: Import the TemplateOpen the Online Course Template download link to download a .zip file containing the template files. (You will be prompted to log in with your TU NetID and password.)For PC-users, save the file, do not open this file. Note where the file is saved; it may be saved automatically to your Downloads folder.Log into Blackboard.Reenter the Blackboard course. On the left-hand side under Control Panel, click on Packages and Utilities.Click on Import Package/View Logs.Click the Import Package button located under the page title.Click the Browse Local Files button, locate the zip file, and click Open.(The following step is easy to miss!) Under Select Course Materials, click Select All. Click Submit to confirm your selections.To avoid a common problem where the template is added twice, do?not?edit any course content until you receive an email confirming that the copy is complete.?Please wait for an email confirmation. Then refresh the Blackboard page or exit and return to the course before editing.Step 4: Reorder Extra Menu ItemsYou may need to reorder the course menu items as outlined in Appendix A, with the most frequently accessed course content at the top, followed by tools, and campus resources.Make sure that you set?Edit Mode?to ON.?You can find instructions online for reorganizing the course menu items (PDF).To help students more easily locate content, consider renaming Information to Syllabus and also Content to Weekly (Module or Unit) Content.Modify the TemplateYou can edit items, add your content, and remove items as needed. Next to each placeholder item, click the gray arrow and select Edit.SupportFor additional assistance?with the Online Course Template, contact FACET.Option 2: Add the Detailed Course TemplateIf you prefer a version of the course template with detailed instructions and guides on its use, the Detailed Online Course Template is available. For a preview of these instructions, see Appendix C.Step 1: If Needed, Combine Course SectionsIf you intend to combine course sections, do so before proceeding. Otherwise, your final course may contain multiple copies of the template.Log in to TechHelp with your TU NetID.For Request Type, choose Employee Role | Blackboard | Course Combine plete the Request Detail as instructed.Click Save.Blackboard will contact you when the combined course is ready to use.Step 2: Choose or Request a CourseTo reduce confusion and clean-up, we suggest importing the template into a course site you haven’t used before. You can choose to add the template to a course site that has been automatically generated in Blackboard, or you can request a “shell” course in which to develop your content.To request a shell course:Log in to TechHelp with your TU NetID.For Request Type, choose Employee Role | Blackboard | Other Related Questions or Requests.For Request Detail, ask for the FACET Online Course Template to be added to a new course shell. Blackboard will contact you when the course has been created.Step 3: Import the TemplateOpen the Detailed Online Course Template download link to download a .zip file containing the template files. (You will be prompted to log in with your TU NetID and password.)For PC-users, save the file, do not open this file. Note where the file is saved; it may be saved automatically to your Downloads folder.Log into Blackboard.Reenter the Blackboard course. On the left-hand side under Control Panel, click on Packages and Utilities.Click on Import Package/View Logs.Click the Import Package button located under the page title.Click the Browse Local Files button, locate the zip file, and click Open.(The following step is easy to miss!) Under Select Course Materials, click Select All. Click Submit to confirm your selections.To avoid a common problem where the template is added twice, do?not?edit any course content until you receive an email confirming that the copy is complete.?Please wait for an email confirmation. Then refresh the Blackboard page or exit and return to the course before editing.Step 4: Reorder Extra Menu ItemsYou may need to reorder the course menu items as outlined in Appendix A, with the most frequently accessed course content at the top, followed by tools, and campus resources.Make sure that you set?Edit Mode?to ON.?You can find instructions online for reorganizing the course menu items (PDF).To help students more easily locate content, consider renaming Information to Syllabus and Content to Weekly (Module or Unit) Content.Modify the TemplateYou can edit items, add your content, and remove items as needed. Next to each placeholder item, click the gray arrow and select Edit.SupportFor additional assistance?with the Online Course Template, contact FACET.Appendix A: Online Course Template MenuOnce imported correctly, the FACET Online Course Template menu should resemble the image below. If you don't see the gray arrows, click?Edit Mode?to show hidden areas.?Appendix B: Online Course TemplateOne Week of ContentUnder Content, the template includes a folder containing all recommended items in a week or unit. This folder can be copied for each week of the course to provide a consistent and organized structure. You can replace placeholder items with instructions and customize your content.Appendix C: Detailed Online Course Template The Detailed Online Course Template is an alternative to the Online Course Template. The course menu (Appendix A) is the same in both templates.The menu placeholders are the same in both templates. This version includes added intructions and descriptions. Compare the detailed version here with the streamlined verseion in Appendix B. ................
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