Template-Working Document - 1/27/2014.docx



UNM-LA Online Course Template User Guide, Version 2.0Compiled by the UNM-LA 2017 eLearning Committee; for further information, contact one of us: Carol Furchnerfurchner@unm.edu Ann Kaul akaul65@unm.eduSusan Schauersschauer@unm.eduBrian Staffordbstafford@unm.eduIrina Alvestadirina@unm.eudDeBray Baileybaileyd@unm.eduThis User Guide deals with the UNM-LA Online Course Template. The online course template consists of two basic parts:A template that is added to a basic Learn course shell that is supplied by main campus. You use this template as a foundation for setting up and organizing your course.A set of documents and links regarding tools, resources, policies, and other information. Many of these documents are needed for most online courses, and each instructor normally creates their own. (Or does not.) Examples of these documents include Netiquette (online etiquette), setting up a computer, how to get help, tips for discussions, how to use Learn, links to campus resources such as the Academic Support Center and Libraries, etc. You may use several of these documents as is, or you may modify them to meet the needs of your course. Others need modification for your course prior to use.Sections in this User Guide include:Section 1. Step 1: Getting Started: Import the UNM-LA Online Course TemplateSection 2. Setting up your course with the templateSection 3. Modifying template files for your courseSection 4. Other things to consider adding to your courseSection 5. Final checklist: Am I done?Appendix A: Access course examples in CourseSites (being revised)Appendix B: Some useful (and mostly free) software toolsAppendix C: Organization of Online Course Template MenusPlease report errors and suggestions to Carol Furchner (furchner@unm.edu )Table of Contents: TOC \o "1-3" \u Overview: UNM-LA Online Course Template User Guide PAGEREF _Toc486857548 \h 5What is the UNM-LA Online Course Template? What does an instructor do with it? PAGEREF _Toc486857549 \h 6If you use a publisher site as your primary teaching site: PAGEREF _Toc486857550 \h 6Section 1: Getting Started: Import the UNM-LA Online Course Template into Your Course PAGEREF _Toc486857551 \h 6BEFORE YOU BEGIN IMPORTING THE COURSE TEMPLATE: PAGEREF _Toc486857552 \h 6Step 1.1 Import the UNM-LA Online Course Template into Learn PAGEREF _Toc486857553 \h 7Figure 1.1: Summary of Steps for Getting Started PAGEREF _Toc486857554 \h 8Figure 1.2: Brand new Learn course shell screen PAGEREF _Toc486857555 \h 11Figure 1.4. Items to delete from the course menu. PAGEREF _Toc486857556 \h 14Figure 1.5: Top of Course Menu after Deletions PAGEREF _Toc486857557 \h 15Figures 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9. Completed Sections of the Course Menu PAGEREF _Toc486857558 \h 15Section 2: Setting up Your Course PAGEREF _Toc486857559 \h 16BEFORE YOU BEGIN SETTING UP YOUR COURSE: PAGEREF _Toc486857560 \h 16Overview of steps for setting up your course. You will: PAGEREF _Toc486857561 \h 17Conventions used in the template PAGEREF _Toc486857562 \h 17Examples using this Template [Planned] PAGEREF _Toc486857563 \h 18Step 2.1: Examine the Template PAGEREF _Toc486857564 \h 18Course Menu PAGEREF _Toc486857565 \h 18Home Page PAGEREF _Toc486857566 \h 19“Course Unit” Folders Template [on home page] PAGEREF _Toc486857567 \h 19Course Information section PAGEREF _Toc486857568 \h 20Course Orientation and Course Resources Content Areas– (under Course Information) PAGEREF _Toc486857569 \h 20Syllabus (under Course Information) PAGEREF _Toc486857570 \h 20Calendar (under Course Information) PAGEREF _Toc486857571 \h 21Announcements (under Course Information) PAGEREF _Toc486857572 \h 21Course Dashboard (under Course Information) PAGEREF _Toc486857573 \h 21Communications and Tools section PAGEREF _Toc486857574 \h 21Course Messages (under Communications and Tools) PAGEREF _Toc486857575 \h 21My Grades (under Communications and Tools) PAGEREF _Toc486857576 \h 21Discussion Board and Discussion Templates (under Communications and Tools) PAGEREF _Toc486857577 \h 21[Other communications or tools – not in template] PAGEREF _Toc486857578 \h 22Course Content section PAGEREF _Toc486857579 \h 22Support and Resources section. PAGEREF _Toc486857580 \h 22Instructor Resources section (not labeled) PAGEREF _Toc486857581 \h 22Site Map PAGEREF _Toc486857582 \h 22Step 2.2: Find and explore the UNM-LA TemplateBox PAGEREF _Toc486857583 \h 23Step 2.3: Decide on course organization and folders vs learning modules PAGEREF _Toc486857584 \h 24Step 2.4: Decide on course activities and tools PAGEREF _Toc486857585 \h 24Step 2.5: Add your syllabus, schedule, and welcome letter to your course PAGEREF _Toc486857586 \h 252.5.1: Syllabus – how to add it PAGEREF _Toc486857587 \h 252.5.2 Schedule and Welcome Letter PAGEREF _Toc486857588 \h 26Step 2.6: Course Orientation and Course Resources setup PAGEREF _Toc486857589 \h 26TABLE 2.6: Course Orientation and Course Resources PAGEREF _Toc486857590 \h 29Step 2.7: Set up Home Page and other Course Menu links PAGEREF _Toc486857591 \h 36Home Page PAGEREF _Toc486857592 \h 36Course Menu PAGEREF _Toc486857593 \h 36TABLE 2.7: Home Page and Course Menu Contents PAGEREF _Toc486857594 \h 37Step 2.8: Create course materials in Course Units PAGEREF _Toc486857595 \h 48Create course unit folders/modules. PAGEREF _Toc486857596 \h 49TABLE 2.8: Course Unit Folder Contents PAGEREF _Toc486857597 \h 50Table 2.8a: Example of a Course Unit, as a Chapter Folder. PAGEREF _Toc486857598 \h 52Section 3. Modifying template files for your course PAGEREF _Toc486857599 \h 55Figure 3.1: Locations of and relationships among files in the TemplateBox, your computer, and your course in Learn. PAGEREF _Toc486857600 \h 56Figure 3.2: Opening the Content Collection for your course in Learn. PAGEREF _Toc486857601 \h 59Figure 3.3. Uploading a file in Content Collection. PAGEREF _Toc486857602 \h 59Section 4. Other things to consider adding to your course PAGEREF _Toc486857603 \h 61TABLE 4.1: Other Optional Items PAGEREF _Toc486857604 \h 61Section 5. Final Checklist: Am I done? PAGEREF _Toc486857605 \h 61Appendix A: Access Course Examples in CourseSites [Planned] PAGEREF _Toc486857606 \h 64Appendix B: Some Useful (and mostly free) Software Tools PAGEREF _Toc486857607 \h 65Appendix C: Organization of UNM-LA Online Course Template PAGEREF _Toc486857608 \h 68Overview: UNM-LA Online Course Template User GuideA diagram of the organization of the Online Course Template menus is provided in Appendix C. You may want to print out these two pages for reference as you read through this guide.This online course template for UNM-LA has been designed with the following objectives:To make it easier for instructors to build online courses by providing a template and a structure.To provide materials and templates for information, such as netiquette, computer set-up, where to get help, etc., that are included in most/all online courses and that many instructors have been re-inventing for their own courses; this will decrease the amount of work and reduce duplication of effort needed to build an online course.To present a more consistent interface to online courses offered by UNM-LA; this should make it easier for students to move from one UNM-LA online course to another.To help instructors get started on building courses that are compliant with the Quality Matters rubric and UNM Online Course Standards Rubric. Such rubrics are becoming standards as evaluation criteria for the design of online courses. Meeting QM or QM-like standards is increasingly a criterion for offering an online course. These standards are also being considered for accreditation standards. Contact members of the eLearning Committee to see a copy of the summary Quality Matters Rubric. The UNM Online Course Standards document is available here: Regarding Quality Matters and UNM Online Course Standards Rubrics:This template, in combination with the UNM-LA online course syllabus template, will help your course to meet several of these standards, especially those regarding the information that is provided to students and some elements of course design. It does not, and cannot, address standards regarding course delivery and other elements of course design. The template does, however, provide some structural underpinnings for meeting these standards. Training is available that deals with these aspects of online course design and delivery. Recommendation: Read through the UNM Online Course Standards Rubric before and as you are building your course, and then use it as a checklist to self-evaluate your course. It’s probably fair to say that few if any courses meet 100% of these standards, but meeting them is still a goal towards which we can all work. The UNM rubric is available here: What is the UNM-LA Online Course Template? What does an instructor do with it?The UNM-LA Online Course Template itself is a course shell that was built in Learn. It embodies several elements of an online course, laid out in a particular organization. The template file is stored in the UNM-LA TemplateBox. To use the UNM-LA Online Course Template, the instructor downloads the UNM-LA Online Course Template from the TemplateBox and then imports it into a new Learn course shell. After importing the template, the instructor then adds course materials to the template. Instructions for completing these steps are found below, in Step 1. If you use a publisher site as your primary teaching site: This Online Course Template will probably not fully meet your needs if your primary teaching vehicle is a publisher site. However, courses that use publisher materials still need to meet online course quality standards, and the elements contained in this template and User Guide should be of use in achieving that goal. A detailed checklist with examples has been prepared to help instructors who use publisher sites to set up their courses in keeping with the design goals and materials supplied with this template. It is called “UNM-LA Online Course Template-Checklist for Publisher Materials”, and it is available in the Checklists folder of the UNMLA TemplateBox (see below). Section 1: Getting Started: Import the UNM-LA Online Course Template into Your CourseBEFORE YOU BEGIN IMPORTING THE COURSE TEMPLATE: You must have a Learn course shell, which you will use to build your course. You may obtain a course shell in one of two ways [(a) is recommended]:Send an email to learn@unm.edu and request a Learn course development shell for your course. You will need to specify your course number, semester that you plan to teach it, and your UNM NetID. You may do this any time. You can copy everything that you do in your development shell into the “real” course after the “real” course becomes available.Use the Learn course shell that is automatically set up for your online course. Course shells are set up for the semester in which that course will be taught, usually within 2-3 days after registration opens for that semester. This is the “real” course shell from which you will deliver your course. You need to have a working familiarity with Learn. At a minimum, you will need to know how to:Upload files and link them into Learn items and foldersModify the course menuAdd items, web links, and Learn’s tools to a folderModify the text describing items in a folderHow to hide or unhide items and folders from students How to set item availability datesHow to use Announcements and Course Messages or Email from Learn to communicate with your students. How to use Grade Center or a password-protected alternative that meets FERPA standards, for communicating grades to students.You may acquire this information in several ways, by taking the “Getting Started with Learn” workshop that is offered periodically at UNM-LA, by taking a similar workshop at UNM, or by using training materials supplied by UNM ( ). Contact Carol Furchner for information about the UNM-LA workshop. Use a laptop or a desktop computer to set up your course. Steps in this guide have not been tested using a tablet.Step 1.1 Import the UNM-LA Online Course Template into LearnIf you are very familiar with using Learn already, you can follow the simplified, brief instructions in Figure 1.1: Getting Started. More detailed instructions are given below, and these also refer to Figure 1.1. You may want to print out Figure 1.1 and refer to it as you work through the detailed instructions.In this section you willObtain a copy of the UNM-LA Online Course Template (“the template”) and store it on your computer.Import the template into your new Learn course shell.Make a few changes to the course menu and Grade Center that couldn’t be included in the template.In these instructions for importing the template, numbers in blue refer to steps in Figure 1.1: Summary of Steps for Getting Started.Figure 1.1: Summary of Steps for Getting Started(see below)Numbers in the following five steps correspond to blue numbers in Figure 1.1. Figure 1.1 is in Figure 1.1f.pptxDownload the Template to your computerYou will find the template in the UNM-LA TemplateBox. The link to TemplateBox is Click on this link, or type it into your browser’s address bar. When it opens, you will see a list of UNMLA folders. One will be called “Template Package.” Click on Template PackageYou will see a heading called Online Course Template - FULL. Under this heading is a single link to a folder, called . Click on that link. This will open or download a folder (directory) that will contain one file whose name begins with Online-Template-Full and ends in .zip. Click on the file whose name begins with Online-Template-Full and ends in .zip .What you see next will depend on which browser you are using. Take the necessary steps to save this file on your computer in a location that you will remember, e.g., on your desktop or in your Downloads folder. DO NOT OPEN THIS FILE. (You will upload this file into Learn, but you will not need to keep this file after you complete this section.)Login to LearnFrom your browser, login to Learn at using your NetID and password. This will open the Learn portal page.Find your new course shell or the temporary shell that you are using to build your course in the center column of the Learn portal page, and click on the course name. This will open the nearly empty course shell for your course. It should look like Figure 1.2.Figure 1.2: Brand new Learn course shell screenGo to the bottom of the course menu, into the COURSE MANAGEMENT section, and21272532385001. Click on Packages and Utilities1050790002. Click on Import Package / View LogsImport the Template into your courseThis will open a window called “Import Package / View Logs”. Find the red button called “Import Package” and click on it: Click on This will take you to the “Import Package” form. In this form, begin with “SELECT A PACKAGE.” Here, you will specify the file you just downloaded, whose name begins with “Online-Template-Full”. Click on the “Browse My Computer” button. This will bring up a form that allows you to navigate to where you saved the file whose name begins with Online-Template-Full on your computer (e.g., Desktop). After you find it, select that file, and complete the action in the form to upload the file into Learn. (What this looks like depends on your browser.) When this upload has completed, back in the Import Package form you will see the name of the file beginning with Online-Template-Full.Skip the section called “INSTITUTIONAL HIERARCHY NODES”.In the fourth section of the form, called “SELECT COURSE MATERIALS”: Click on the button near the top of this section; this will select all of the check boxes. (Items will be checked that are not included in the template. They will be disregarded.) Click on the radio button under Discussion Board that is labeled “Include Starter Posts” . Click on the large red button, at the bottom right of the page.WAIT. You will see a yellow or orange box with a confirmation that your package has been imported. IT IS LYING. DO NOT INTERACT WITH YOUR COURSE. It can take up to 30 minutes for the import process to complete. TO BE SAFE, WAIT FOR 30 MINUTES. WAIT. You will receive an email in LoboMail (or forwarded from LoboMail) stating that the course import is complete. IT MAY BE PREMATURE. WAIT FOR 30 MINUTES, THEN click on the small “house” icon next to the name of your course. When the import is complete, the top portion of the course entry page should look similar to Figure 1.3, below. If the course STILL has not imported, log off from Learn and then log in again. At this point, you should see the page that contains the imported Course Template, with an Announcement appearing on the course entry page. Figure 1.3. Screen appearance after the Template has been imported.Note that:The Course Menu is longer and contains more itemsThe Course Dashboard has been replaced by a page called AnnouncementsDelete some items from the Course Menu.To delete an item from the course menu, hover with the mouse pointer on the item, and then click on the little gray circle with a white “V” at the right of the item. It looks something like this: This brings up a menu which will include the term “Delete.” Click on Delete to remove the item. You will be asked to confirm the deletion twice; yes, you want to delete the item. (These items are duplicated or modified in other parts of the template; you will not lose them.) Delete the following items from the top two sections of the course menu, as shown in Figure 1.4 (below):Figure 1.4. Items to delete from the course menu.Delete items marked with a red arrow: -“Course Information ” - “Instructor Tips ” - “How to Use Learn” - “University Libraries.” - Two gray divider linesDO NOT DELETE “Course Dashboard”DO NOT DELETE “Create a Support Ticket”After you have deleted these items, the top section of the course menu should look like Figure 1.5:Figure 1.5: Top of Course Menu after DeletionsWhen you have completed your deletions, the top section of the course menu should contain “Course Dashboard” and “Create a Support Ticket,” followed by “[Your Course] Home Page," a divider, a bolded label called “Course Information”, and additional menu items below it. The top few items should look like this:Rearrange the course menuYou will drag two items to other positions on the course menu. To drag an item, position the mouse pointer in the left side of the course menu, next to an item. You will see a 4-arrow cursor, similar to this: . Left-click and hold while you move the cursor up or down in the left margin (it must remain 4-arrow the whole time). This will drag the item to a new position. When it is in position and the item fits into a space surrounded by a dashed line, release the mouse button.Drag Course Dashboard down from the top of the menu into the “Course Information” section of the course menu until it is just below “Announcements.”Drag Create a Support Ticket down into the “Support and Resources” section of the course menu until it is just below “Tech Support and Resources.”After you have completed steps 5.1 and 5.2, the first four sections of the course menu should have the same contents as shown in Figures 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9:Figures 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9. Completed Sections of the Course Menu Course Title – [Your Course] Home Page___________________________Course InformationCourse OrientationCourse ResourcesSyllabus and ScheduleCalendarAnnouncementsCourse Dashboard___________________________Communications and ToolsCourse MessagesMy GradesDiscussion Board ___________________________Course Content[First Course Unit Folder] ___________________________Support and ResourcesHow to Use LearnLearn – video tutorialsLibrariesTech Support and ResourcesCreate a Support TicketAcademic Support andCampus Resources___________________________Figure 1.6. Home Page and Course Information section of course menu Figure 1.7. Communications and Tools section of course menuFigure 1.8. Course Content section of course menuFigure 1.9. Support and Resources section of course menu.Now you are ready to begin setting up your course. In Section 2, below, follow steps 2.1-2.8 in order.Section 2: Setting up Your CourseBEFORE YOU BEGIN SETTING UP YOUR COURSEOverview of stepsConventions used in the templateExamples using this templateStep 2.1: Examine the templateStep 2.2: Find and explore the UNMLA TemplateBoxStep 2.3: Decide on course organization, and folders vs learning modulesStep 2.4: Decide on course activities and tools Step 2.5: Add your syllabus, schedule and welcome letterStep 2.6: Course Orientation and Resources setupStep 2.7: Set up Home Page and other Course Menu linksStep 2.8: Create course materials in Course UnitsBEFORE YOU BEGIN SETTING UP YOUR COURSE: Make sure that you have completed the steps described in Section 1: Getting Started. That is, you have:Obtained a Learn Course ShellImported the UNMLA Course Template into that course shellMade minor changes to that shell to move, hide, or remove a few of the basic template elements provided by UNM, as instructed in Section 1, above.If you have completed all of these steps (as detailed in Section 1. Getting Started), you are ready to begin using the template to build your own course.Overview of steps for setting up your course. You will:Step 2.1Log in to your course and look over the template to see what it contains. Step 2.2Find and explore the TemplateBox, which contains all of the template files.Step 2.3Decide how you will organize your course, whether your course units will be organized by chapter, topic, week, or some other scheme, and whether you will group course unit materials using folders or learning modules. (A template is provided for folders, but Learning Modules aren’t much different. See for instructions on creating and using Learning Modules)Step 2.4Decide what activities you plan to require of your students (e.g., discussions, assignments, tests, blog posts, wiki, use of an external publisher site, etc.), and plan the structure of your course on paper (or in your head). Step 2.5 Add your syllabus, schedule, and welcome letter to the course.Step 2.6 Work through Course Orientation and Course Resources and add/modify/delete items according to how you will use them in the course. Step 2.7 Set up (change, add, delete) other links in the Course Menu.Step 2.8Create and upload your course materials, place them in course unit folders, and add the course units to the course menu.Conventions used in the templateAs you look through the Learn course template shell, you will notice that all items don’t look the same.A RED TITLE means that you need to look at the item and decide whether or not to use it, to modify it, or to delete it. Items with red titles are initially hidden from students. If you don’t need the item, delete it. If you plan to use it, you will need to edit it. While editing the item, you should do the following:Make it available to students. In “Standard Options,” “Permit Users to View This Content” (or something similar) is checked “No.” Check “Yes” to make it visible to students.Change the color of the title to black or whatever color you are using in your color scheme. (Black is the default). (Learn doesn’t permit you to change the color of web links, but they are underlined with a dotted line.)Instructions for the instructor/course builder are highlighted in yellow. Delete the highlighted text from the item. If the item contains only highlighted instructions, leave it hidden or delete it when you no longer need it.PH – Place Holder, for other tools, links, or folders that you may wish to add. These are initially hidden from students. In the course menu, “hidden” is indicated by this icon: Items with Black Titles in the template can be modified as needed, but we think that most instructors will be able to use them as is or delete them if not appropriate for their courses.Examples using this Template [Planned]As you build your online course, you may find it helpful to consult the UNM-LA Online Course Template example site that has been set up on Blackboard’s CourseSites. Examples of learning modules and folders using this template are available there. See Appendix A for instructions on accessing CourseSites. You can also find examples of files that instructors have used for things such as welcome letters, syllabi, schedules, etc. in the UNM-LA TemplateBox (see Step 2.2, below). [NOTE: The CourseSites example site is being revised. It was not complete at the time this User Guide was written.] Step 2.1: Examine the TemplateFamiliarize yourself with the Online Course Template. Click on items in the Course Menu to open them and examine their contents. You may find the diagram of the menu structure in Appendix C to be useful as you explore the template. Especially note the following components:Course MenuThis template is structured around a Course Menu, on the left side of the screen. It is described in detail in Step 2.7 below. Log in to the online class where you just installed the template, and look at its parts as you read through this step.The course menu is organized into six sections, one of which is for the instructor only and, therefore, is hidden from students. These sections are:Home Page [labeled in title, no section name]Course InformationCommunications and ToolsCourse ContentSupport and Resources[Instructor tools – all hidden from students, no label]Within each section of the course menu, you will find links to course content, course tools, or external web sites. You will be able to modify anything in the course menu, and most of the items to which it links, but we recommend that you use this organization in your course menu so that your course will be consistent with other online courses offered by UNM-LA.Home PageThe home page is the course content area that identifies the course, tells students what they should be working on now (this week, for example), and it may contain folders or Learning Modules that further organize the course materials (see below). The Home Page for your course is linked above “Course Information” on the course menu. It doesn’t have a separate label; the label is in the page title on the Course Menu. The Home Page is discussed in detail in Step 2.7 and Table 2.7.The Home Page template contains links to items that are used to describe basic course and contact information, provide a Course Orientation, provide information about what the student is doing This week… , and a Course Unit – Folders Template. “Course Unit” Folders Template [on home page]This template is set up with the assumption that you will organize your materials into “course units,” that is, organize them by chapter, week, topic, or other organizational unit. Within a “course unit,” you will present links to all of the materials that the student needs in order to complete the unit. This is done so that the student isn’t required to hop all over the course trying to find the links to assignments, discussions, quizzes, readings, etc., in different places. Course Units are discussed in more detail in Step 2.8 and Table 2.8. Table 2.8a shows an example of a “typical” course unit’s organization and content.Each “Course Unit” should be placed in its own folder or in a learning module. Folders and learning modules are the two basic organizational tools that are provided by Learn. A template is provided for folders. This template is found at the bottom of the Home Page of the course template. If you open the “Course Unit” Folder template, you will see that it contains templates or examples of the sorts of things that an instructor might typically place inside a course unit, including:Overview of the course unitMaterials to be read or viewedDiscussion [if discussions are used in the course]Assignment Instructions [if assignments are used in the course]Other activities placeholder – such as, link to a publisher site for assigned work, blog, journal, test, etc. (Learning modules are similar to folders, but folders tend to be slightly easier to set up. Learning modules provide the student with a table of contents, with a link to each item in the module, and you can control the order in which students view the materials in learning modules. See for more information about using Learning Modules.) Instructors should create a folder (or learning module) for each “course unit,” and, for ease of access, provide a link from each one into the “Course Content” section of the course menu (so that students can access course units from anywhere in the course without returning to the home page).Course Information sectionCourse Orientation and Course Resources Content Areas– (under Course Information)The Course Orientation folder and Course Resources folder are linked from the Course Menu. These are the points from which students will learn how to use Learn, understand how you (the instructor) will use Learn in your course, and become familiar with course policies and procedures. The Course Orientation folder is set up to provide an orientation to Learn and your course. The Course Resources folder is set up to provide additional information about grading, writing, how you expect students to use Learn and other tools. Aside from your course content, these folders will require the most attention from you to make them consistent with your policies, with tools used in your course, and with how you want to run your course. If you intend to hide Course Orientation after the first few weeks of class, you may want to duplicate (copy) some of the Course Orientation items into Course Resources. These folders are discussed in detail in Step 2.6 and Table 2.6.Syllabus (under Course Information)Provide a direct link to the Syllabus (which is stored in Course Orientation) so that students can access it from the course menu. Calendar (under Course Information)Provide a link to Learn’s Calendar, which will cover all of the student’s courses that use Learn, not just your course. Calendar will automatically pick up due dates that are provided in Learn tools (discussions, assignments, tests, etc.). If you like, you can manually add due dates for other things that aren’t built in to Learn. It will display entries from all of a student’s courses that use Learn.Announcements (under Course Information)Use this tool to make announcements to your class. A sample welcome announcement is included; delete it if you don’t want to use it. Announcements is used as the course entry page, which opens when students open the course.Course Dashboard (under Course Information)Displays information about what’s been graded, what’s due, etc. You can change the modules that it munications and Tools sectionCourse Messages (under Communications and Tools)Displays access to Course Messages, for you and for the student. You can find more information about using Course Messages in Section 2.6 and Table 2.6, Row CO-13, and Section 2.7 and Table 2.7, Row CM-8.My Grades (under Communications and Tools)This is Learn’s student grade book. It is visible only to the student. (You will use Grade Center for entering student grades). You can see the student view of My Grades by changing to Student View. If you use it, you will need to use Grade Center to manage the organization and visibility of its columns. If you don’t use it, you should find another method for communicating each student’s individual progress, and hide this label. My Grades and Grade Center are mentioned in Section 2.6 and Table 2.6, CO-12, and in Section 2.7 and Table 2.7, Row CM-9. Discussion Board and Discussion Templates (under Communications and Tools)We have set up templates for two discussion items. One is an “introduce yourself” item, and the other is a general discussion item. You can find these two templates on the Discussion Board. Links to these items are placed in the folders where they are assigned. Set up discussion items in the Discussion Board (on the course menu or available under Course Management Course Tools), and then provide links to them in the course unit folder or learning module that uses them. You can hide the Discussion Board from the course menu if you provide a link to it from within each course unit that uses it. Because Discussions appear in several places in the template, and because at first they can seem complicated to set up, we have prepared a file that provides an overview, instructions in the mechanics of setting up discussions and linking them in to Course Unit Folders, templates and checklists, and information on how to communicate your expectations about how students will use discussions. In the materials that follow, most instances where discussions appear will simply refer you to this overview file, T-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docx. A copy of this file can be found in the TemplateBox, in the UNM-LA_Template_Files section ( ).[Other communications or tools – not in template]If your students will be using other tools from Learn, such as Learn’s Glossary or Blackboard Collaborate, you should add tool links to them here. If your students will be using tools from outside the Learn environment, such as a drawing tool or a code analysis tool, you may provide a web link to that tool from this section.Course Content sectionContains links to the folders or learning modules described and set up under “Course Unit” folder template, above (Home Page).Support and Resources section.Most of the files items that are linked in this section should be usable as written. They contain information related to how to use Learn, computer set-up information and several other technical support topics, a link where a student (or you) can submit a trouble ticket to Learn, a link to UNM-LA and UNM Libraries, and link to several Academic and Campus Resources. If you have other links that you would like to add, do so as appropriate. For example, if you’re using Learn as a pass-through to a publisher site, you may want to add a link to the publisher’s technical support to the Tech Support and Resources content area. Both Tech Support and Resources and Academic Support and Campus Resources are set up as content areas.Instructor Resources section (not labeled)This section contains links to several resources for instructors, and all of its contents are hidden from the students. See Section 2.7 Table 2.7 for brief descriptions of these resources.Site MapA site map that summarizes the contents and organization of the online template can be found in the UNMLA TemplateBox, under “Miscellaneous Files” (see below). Its name is SiteMap.pdf. An Excel version is also available there.Step 2.2: Find and explore the UNM-LA TemplateBoxThe UNMLA TemplateBox (“TemplateBox”) contains all of the template files and checklists that are mentioned in the Template, plus some example files that other instructors have prepared. UNM-LA TemplateBox:Source (docx and xlsx) files for files used in this template can be found in the UNM-LA TemplateBox at this link: use this shortcut: A link to the UNMLA TemplateBox is also provided in the Course Menu. We recommend that you bookmark this link. It takes you to the top level of the TemplateBox, where you will see folders for: Templates (UNMLA_Template_Files)Checklists (UNMLA_Checklist_Files)Example files (UNMLA_Example_Files)Instructions (UNMLA_Template_Instructions)Filenames in these folders should be (we hope) self-explanatory. A link to the TemplateBox is also provided in the instructor section of the template’s course menu.The names of supporting or linked files are provided in the tables within the steps that follow. In the Supporting or Linked files column, file names begin with a designator that shows their type.T- and TI- mean that the file is a template. Some can be used as-is and some require minor editing. There is a template file “Communications in this course”, for example. These are in the UNMLA_Template_Files folder.C- means that the file contains a checklist for what the instructor should include in a file or information that the instructor prepares. An example is a welcome letter checklist. These are in the UNMLA_Checklist_Files folder.E- means that the file contains examples from other online courses. They are not part of the template, but they are provided for your convenience. These are in the UNMLA_Example_Files folder.Throughout the template itself, you will see direct web-links to files that are in the TemplateBox. Most of these files are either .pdf format or .docx format. Those that are in .pdf format are links for students, and you may be able to use them as is. However, if you want to modify them, most of them have a corresponding link in the TemplateBox to a .docx formatted file which you can download, modify, save as pdf, and upload into your course, into the Content Collection. If you do that, you will need to relink your modified file into the proper course location. (See Section 3 of this guide for instructions.)Note: You can only view and download files from the TemplateBox to your computer. You cannot upload a file into this TemplateBox. If you modify a file that is stored in this TemplateBox to make it available in your course, your edited file must be saved on your computer and uploaded into your course, and then linked into the place in your course where you want it to appear. Detailed instructions for how to do this are provided in Section 3 of this User Guide. If you have a file that you would like to contribute to the TemplateBox, contact Carol Furchner.Step 2.3: Decide on course organization and folders vs learning modulesAs mentioned in Step 2.1 above, we are assuming that you will organize your course into “course units” that you will present either in folders or in learning modules. It’s possible to use both methods of presenting material, but it’s a good idea to decide up front which you want to use, since this will impact the instructions you provide to students for how to access course materials.Learning modules are easier for students to navigate, because they come with a built-in table of contents (but they lose this advantage if the table of contents is longer than about 10-15 items). You can easily control the order in which students view materials in learning modules. Folders are somewhat easier for instructors to build and manage, and learning modules are built on top of a folder-type organization. But we’re not aware of hard-and-fast rules that say one is better than the other. What’s most important is that you provide a clear, consistent structure whose organization is apparent to students and that is easy to navigate. Organizing your materials by week, unit, or chapter, in sequence, provides such a structure.Step 2.4: Decide on course activities and toolsDecide which course activities and tools you plan to use, including both those that are built into Learn and other activities that you create or obtain from an external site such as a publisher’s site. Plan to provide links to these inside each Course Unit, for the activity for which they will be used. This link contains some helpful suggestions. 2.5: Add your syllabus, schedule, and welcome letter to your courseYou will add your syllabus and schedule items to your course in two places, first in the Course Orientation folder and second in the Course Menu. You will also add your welcome letter to the Course Orientation folder. You can find supporting template, checklist, and example files in the TemplateBox. Note that you may combine the syllabus and schedule into one file, but you need to provide both.2.5.1: Syllabus – how to add itDownload the online course syllabus template from the UNM-LA website. You will find the most recent version of the online course syllabus template on this page, under Syllabus Templates: Edit the syllabus template with information for your course as instructed in the syllabus template file. Instructions are in red text. Delete the instructions after you’ve added your course information.Save your edited syllabus on your computer.Convert your syllabus to a .pdf file. You may do this by saving it in Word as a .pdf file (Save As…), or you may use another .pdf converter such as Adobe Acrobat (Print…). Use a filename that you will remember and can reuse if you ever edit or replace the syllabus in your course, a name such as Syllabus.pdf or Syllabus-ENG101.pdf. We will use Syllabus.pdf in the example below.Open your course in Learn.Click on Course Orientation in the Course Menu to open this folder.Scroll down and find the “Syllabus” item in the Course Orientation folder. Click on the action menu for this item, and select Edit. Under “CONTENT INFORMATION”, change the color of the Name to black, and then click on the “Apply” button.Edit the text description of the item to add any text that you want, and delete the yellow highlighted instructions.Under “ATTACHMENTS”, you will upload and attach your syllabus file to the item. Click on “Browse My Computer” to find your syllabus file on your computer, select the file (e.g., select Syllabus.pdf), and then proceed with the upload. This will upload the file into the course’s Content Collection (file cabinet) in your course, and it will also attach the syllabus to this item. In the box under Link Title, give the attachment a name that the students will see, e.g., Syllabus.Under “STANDARD OPTIONS”, check “Yes” next to “Permit Users to View this Content.”Click on the red “Submit” button on the bottom right of the window. Back in the “Course Orientation” folder, below the “Video: Getting Started with UNM Learn” item, you should see the Syllabus item, with the Syllabus shown as an attached file.If you use the template “Syllabus” item as described above, it will automatically link to the course menu. Clicking on the link in the course menu will open the Course Orientation folder with the Syllabus item at the top of the window. Students can view the syllabus by clicking on the “Attached File.”2.5.2 Schedule and Welcome Letter The steps for adding a schedule and a welcome letter to the Course Orientation folder are similar to the syllabus, as described above.You need to include a copy of the welcome letter that you will send to students before the beginning of the semester. This is because not all students read their UNM LoboMail regularly and because you will have students who register late who may immediately login to the class before seeing a welcome letter from you.If you incorporate a detailed schedule in your syllabus, you do not need to include it separately here.Prepare your schedule (welcome letter). A checklist is available for each of these in the TemplateBox UNMLA_Checklist_Files folder.Save your schedule (welcome letter) on your computer.Save or print your schedule (welcome letter) as a .pdf file with a file name that’s easy to remember and reuse (e.g., Schedule.pdf, WelcomeLetter.pdf).As described above for the syllabus in steps 5-13, above, open your course in Learn, open the Course Orientation folder, find the Schedule (Welcome Letter) item, and add the schedule (welcome letter) as an attachment to the corresponding item. When you are done, these items should follow the Syllabus item.Step 2.6: Course Orientation and Course Resources setupThe contents of two items in the course menu, Course Orientation and Course Resources, are generally considered to be important to any online course of acceptable quality. They introduce the student to the online environment, to how you intend to run your course, and to information that students need in order to accomplish their tasks. Without this information gathered in a central location, students may have difficulty figuring out how to proceed on different tasks in the course. (An entry point to Course Orientation also appears on the Home Page. Students can access it from both places.) You will want to organize and edit these materials to suit your course emphasis and tone and to delete or hide items that are not relevant to your course. You may also need to add items that are not supplied in this template.The first item, Course Orientation, consists of materials designed to help your students get started in your course, to become familiar with the tools, and to learn about how you will run the class. The second item, Course Resources, contains more detailed information about the course and your expectations. These items were put in separate content areas, which look like folders, so that they can be added to a course or exported separately.Some of these materials have been created for you, and you will be able to use them "as is," so these are NOT hidden. However, you will need to supply and upload some files or modify others. These items have?RED?titles in the template, and they are set up as "not available to students" in this template. Instructions for you are highlighted in yellow in the template.Some items are shown as “Optional” in the title, because they are likely to be useful only for some types of courses (in our judgment). Use them if they apply to your course; delete or hide them otherwise.The Course Orientation and Course Resources links should appear near the top of the course menu, in the Course Information section of the menu. The second item on the Home Page opens on the Course Orientation, so that students can find it easily and begin working on it.Setting up the Course Orientation and Course Resources folders is a complex part of setting up a course; their contents will vary considerably depending on how you run the course and what materials you use. As a result, there are several files that need to be included, but you may need to edit these to customize them for the course. Links to any files included in the template that refer to tools or activities that you do not use in your course must be deleted or hidden from students. And you will need to create items/files for tools and activities that you use in the course that are not included in this template.The items included in the Course Orientation and Course Resources folders are listed in Table 2.6. The items that you will need to create or modify are marked with a * in the first column of the table. You may find that you need to modify other items as well, depending on how your run your course.You may need to hide or delete some of the items in the template, and in a few cases you will need to edit the highlighted brief instructions out of items that will be shown to students. Table 2.6 below lists the contents of the Course Orientation and Course Resources folders in the template, with information and instructions for each item. An “item” is one entry in each folder; each folder contains several “items.”Definitions – things that appear in the tables below, and the columns that contain them:* Row # Column: An asterisk (*) in the first column means that it is likely that you will need to modify the item. See the instructions below and in the template. Row numbers are mentioned in the template, to help you find the appropriate line in the table for instructions. These codes refer to the sections of the tables below:CO – Course OrientationCR – Course ResourcesCM – Course MenuCC – Course ContentSR – Support and ResourcesTS – Technical Support and ResourcesAS – Academic Support and Campus ResourcesCU – Course Unit Folder TemplateCourse Orientation and Resources Item Column: The name of the item in the folder.Code Column:CodeDefinitionM Mandatory to include this item in this folderMS Mandatory to include this item in this folder OR in the syllabusMO Mandatory to include this item if the tool or activity is used in the courseH Hidden from studentsO OptionalPH Place-holder, for items you may or may not include. These items are initially hidden.Supporting or Linked Files Column – lists files that are linked in the template or provided as templates or checklists for the instructor’s use in the TemplateBox. “Item” means that the item contains information for student use in the template rather than, or in addition to, a linked file. “Tool Link,” “Web Link,” “Course Link,” and “File” refer to other types of Learn content items.Instructions and Information Column – provides instructions and information about the use of each table item in the template.“My Learn” is the portal page that you see after you login to the course; it has the list of your/the student’s courses in the center column. TABLE 2.6: Course Orientation and Course Resources*Row #Course Orientation and Course Resources itemCodeSupporting or Linked FilesInstructions and Information2.6. Course Orientation and Course Resources TableCO-0Course Orientation Folder (CO)The Course Orientation folder supplies the information that students need to start working in your course in the Learn environment. These materials should provide the basic ground rules and instructions on how students will participate in the course, where materials are located and how to find them, and how to use the tools that you employ. Students can access Course Orientation via a link in the course menu and from the Home Page.The objectives of a course orientation are to acquaint students with:online courses (if they have not taken an online course)Learn and the tools you use, including hands-on experience with the toolsexternal tools, or publisher-supplied tools, that you use in your coursehow your course will be structured, set up, and runyour expectations of students in the course, and what they can expect from youWhat they can expect to learn from the course – their learning outcomes*CO-1Introduction to [Your Course]MItemT-OverviewOfThisCourse.docxProvide a brief introduction to your course. There are four general areas that need to be covered, and these are represented in the template file, T-OverviewOfThisCourse.docx. As noted in the above template file, in the introduction, you should cover the following topics:1. What’s due this week, due dates2. Content overview – the main topic and themes of your course.3. Learning objectives – what students will be able to do as a result of completing the course (you can reiterate those that are contained in the syllabus).4. Brief Navigation and Tools – how the student navigates in the course. You’ll cover more about navigation in this orientation.5. The activities that the student will do in the course, and their pattern, if there is one (e.g., weekly quiz, biweekly discussion, etc.). This helps students recognize repeated patterns of activities. *CO-2Work through the Course OrientationMItemT-WorkThroughCourseOrientation.docxGives students instructions for working through the course orientation, including work items (which are marked DO:).*CO-3Video: Getting Started with UNM LearnMOWeb Link This links to a video produced by UNM that gives a high-level tour of the Learn environment. Use this if you do not produce your own introductory screencast or use it in addition to your screencast. If you use a publisher site, you should also provide, if possible, a link to an introductory tour of the publisher site/materials. (You can add a web link for the publisher information.)*CO-4SyllabusMTemplate for syllabus can be found on this page: under Syllabus Templates.Using the UNM-LA Online Course Syllabus Template, create a syllabus for your course, save it or print it as a .pdf file, and attach it to the Syllabus item in the Course Orientation folder. See Step 2.5 in Section 2 for detailed instructions on handling the syllabus and schedule. *CO-5ScheduleMC-SemesterSchedule Checklist.docxUsing the checklist for creating a detailed semester schedule, create a semester schedule, save it or print it as a .pdf file, and attach it to the Schedule item in the Course Orientation. (Skip this step if you combined the schedule with the syllabus. See Step 2.5 in Section 2 for more detailed instructions on handling the syllabus and schedule. *CO-6Welcome LetterMC-WelcomeLetterChecklist.docxAttach a copy of the welcome letter that you will email to your students after they registered and, if possible, before classes begin. Several students will not have seen your welcome letter because they don’t read their UNM LoboMail, or because they registered late for the course. A checklist of welcome letter content is supplied.CO-7Is This Your First Online Course?MItemT-FirstOnlineCourse.docxT-ComputerSkillsForTakingOnlineCourses.pdfA docx version of this file is available, in case you need to modify the skills listPrimarily for students who have not taken an online course in the past. These links are already in the template:How to Take an Online Course Workshop – information for students. [ ]Online Learning at UNM-Los Alamos: Student Guide) Are you Ready for an Online Course (Appendix A p. 13 of above Student Guide) Computer Skills needed for an Online Course) Link to unm. for computer skills training videos *CO-8Set up your computer to work with LearnMT-SettingUpComputerForLearnInThisCourse.pdfA docx version is available, in case you need to modify some of thisProvides links to tools and software needed to set up computer, find out which browsers are supported, special tools needed for this class (a basic list for Learn is furnished; instructor should modify if needed for class). This file is duplicated in the Technical Support folder. If you use a publisher site in addition to or instead of Learn, add or substitute instructions or a link to instructions for setting up the computer to work with that site.*CO-9Video: Tour of YOUR course [PLACEHOLDER OPTIONAL]OC-Course_Orientation_Video_Checklist.docxE-CourseOverviewVideos.docxMany instructors make introductory course-tour videos. The UNMLA_Example_Files folder in the TemplateBox contains examples of video course tours. Ask DeBray Bailey or Carol Furchner for help if you want to make a screencast tour of your own course.CO-10How to Use Tools in Learn – Quick Step-by-step InstructionsMWeb link Mostly pictorial quick getting-started instructions that were created by main campus for the major tools in Learn.*CO-11Placeholder: Textbook, Publisher Site, and/or Other External Site MOC-UsingExternalWebsites.docxC-ChecklistForPublisherMaterials.docxProvide information about your textbook and where to obtain it, and other publisher site information here. Be sure to include web links and access code information if appropriate. If you’re using external tools or sites, you should provide information about how to access and use them and how they will be used by students in this course. You should include how to register, obtain and use an access code, etc. E.g., registering for and using a museum site, using publisher supplements, etc. The first checklist is designed for this “light use” of a publisher or other external site.If you are using a publisher site as the primary teaching site, you should provide considerably more information. The second checklist for publisher materials contains detailed information about what you should provide and how to provide it. It will be replaced “soon” when a template for faculty using publisher materials is available, but use it for now. *CO-12My Grades: Where to see your grades and get feedback from your instructorMT-MyGrades+GettingFeedbackLearnSP13.pdfDescribe how to use My Grades and how students will obtain feedback from you. The supplied template file is general; you may wish to supplement it with your own information. If you don’t use the Learn Grade Center and My Grades, replace this information with a description of how students can view their grades and get feedback on their work.*CO-13Communications in This CourseMItemT-Communications-In-This-Course.docxDescribe how students should expect to communicate with you. You may put your information in the syllabus instead of here; see syllabus template. This item is written for using Course Messages. You may need to modify this to be consistent with your use of course messages or if you use email instead of Course Messages.CO-14NetiquetteMOT-Netiquette.pdfProvide this information if students will be communicating with each other via discussions, course messages, wikis, etc. Describes expectations online and course communication etiquette.CO-15Course Orientation ActivitiesOptional Orientation activities: It is a good idea to set up "low cost" assignments that require students to use the tools, such as discussions, quizzes, assignments, etc. that you use in the course, and to visit and use tools on the external publisher's site if you use one of these. This brings students to the same level at the beginning of the course, and it will cut down on the number of "How do I" questions later in the semester. It is also a good practice to give the students a quiz on key points in the syllabus and other orientation materials to ensure that they read them. You may make these materials as part of the course orientation or include them as tasks in the first week of your class.Two orientation activities are included in the template, sending a Course Message and participating in an introductory discussion. You may create orientation activities for other tools that you use in your class, e.g., submitting an assignment with an attachment, taking a quiz, making a blog post. If you use a publisher’s site, include typical activities there in your orientation.*CO-15aDO: Send a Message to the InstructorMOItemInstructs student to send a message to the instructor to make sure student knows how to communicate with you. Written for Course Messages; revise if you use Learn Email or another email system, such as one provided by a publisher.*CO-16DO: Discussion 1: Introduce YourselfMOTool linkT-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docxIf your students will be interacting with each other at all during your course, you should have an introductory discussion; it helps break the ice and makes them more comfortable with each other and with you. T-DiscussionsInLearn.docx contains an overview of discussions, a diagram of a model for setting up discussions, instructions for how to create and link discussions, templates for discussion instructions, and a checklist for creating a “Discussions” information file for Course Information. This file is referenced in other Discussion-related entries in this and the following tables.It’s also helpful to the students if, before the course opens, you create an initial thread post in this discussion in which YOU introduce yourself, saying a little about your background and interests. This “humanizes” you and provides the students with an example of what an introductory post can look like.CR-0Course Resources Folder(CR)The Course Resources folder contains more detailed instructions and information for students about how your course will be run. Some of these materials are required, and others are optional. Many of these can be used as supplied, while you will need to create or modify others. Those that require instructor work are marked with a * in the first column of this table. Source files are located in the UNMLA TemplateBox. When you create and upload or modify any items, make the items available to the students.*CR-1About Course ResourcesMBrief description of course resources for students*CR-2 Rubrics Used for Grading Student Work (folder)MSIt’s necessary to tell students how their work will be graded, for each work item or type of item. If you use your own rubrics or descriptions of how work will be graded, especially if you use the same rubric across assignments, you can store them in this folder. If you provide rubrics with each assignment, you don’t need to duplicate them here, especially if they vary from assignment to assignment. The syllabus should contain the overall grading scheme, such as how points will be calculated and how points translate to letter grades. Information about grading can be put in the Course Orientation and/or Course Resources folder or elsewhere, but it should be provided. If you don’t collect rubrics in one place, delete this item.* CR-3Writing in this Course (Folder)MOT-AvoidingPlagiarismResources.pdfIf students will be doing any writing in the course, you should provide them with information regarding what you expect and how to avoid plagiarism. Provide information related to student writing or other work as appropriate, about your expectations, resources they can use, rubrics if not in Rubrics folder, avoiding plagiarism, research tools, search tools, special library info, etc. Provide information about the file formats that you will accept (e.g., doc, docx, pdf, rtf). The Avoiding Plagiarism file contains links to resources to teach students what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. If you expect papers to be written in a particular style, such as APA or MLA, you should provide information or links to style tutorials or manuals. Examples of APA and MLA style information are included in the Examples folder in TemplateBox and in the CourseSites example course. If no writing or other opportunity for plagiarism is included in your courses, you may delete the appropriate items in this folder.*CR-4Information – [Activity](one example is in template)For each type of activity in your course (discussions, assignments, exams, blogs, etc.) you should provide instructions and mention your expectations, examples, hints, etc., for how students should most effectively participate in the course item or use the course tool. Add publisher site or external site information if needed for your course. You can insert a separate item for each tool. An example/template is provided in the Information-Discussions folder.*CR-5Information – Discussions (folder)MOHow discussions are used: T-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docxHow to Participate:T-HowToMakeOnlineCourseDiscussionsASuccess-General.pdfYou should have information on participation in discussions if you use discussions: mechanics, how to participate, frequency of participation, how students will be graded (rubric or description). A checklist is provided in section 4 of T-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docx A file with general information on making discussions successful is included in the folder. A docx version of this file is provided in the template files in case you want to edit this file.If you don’t use discussions, delete or hide this folder and its contents.CR-6Studying and Learning: Strategies for Success (folder)OHow to Study – video linkStudying Tips for Students – blog post web linkT-Learning_robert_leamnson.pdf (In TemplateBox but must be used as is, per the author)Web links are provided to an external blog post and external video, and a course link is provided to a file. Editable versions are not provided; use “as is.” Add more of your own information to help students succeed, as appropriate for your course. Notes about the Course Orientation and Course Resources folders and their contents:The following items are required to be in the syllabus, and we recommend that they also be placed in the Course Orientation folder (and optionally linked in the Course Resources folder). Both can be placed in the Introduction to [Your Course] item. Course description Course learning objectivesThe reasons they should appear in both the syllabus and the online course are as follows: Online classroom: It may be easier for students to find this information if it’s in the course introduction in the online classroom.Syllabus: Students who are transferring credits to another college are often required to provide a syllabus, and the course description and learning objectives can help the target institution decide whether to accept the credit. Syllabus: Accrediting bodies will look in the syllabus for the above information, so it must be in the syllabus even if you repeat it in the Learn classroom.Step 2.7: Set up Home Page and other Course Menu linksHome PageA template for the home page is set up as the first item in the content area of the course, and it is delivered with the template. You need to edit this item for your course. The link to the Home Page is the second item in the course menu. You will need to edit the home page contents to be accurate for your course.The Home Page should contain, at a minimum, the following items:Name of courseInstructor name and contact informationCourse Orientation (link is also in Course Menu)For the first 3 weeks of class, Course Orientation should remain visible to students on the home page (because students can add classes as late as the second Friday of the semester). If you wish to hide it after that, you may; students will still be able to access it from the Course Menu.IMPORTANT: DO NOT DELETE COURSE ORIENTATION FROM THE COURSE MENU – If you do, you will not be able to recover any contents that you have added. Indicator or link to what student should be working on NOW, e.g., mention name of or link to the current course unit’s learning module or folder, or mention/link the current module in the publisher’s site. An easy way to do this is with an item that states: “This week we will be covering … “ Edit this item on the day that you begin covering new content. Such an item is included in the Template, just below Course Orientation. Course Unit Folders or Learning Modules (links to these should appear in the course menu)Course MenuThe items in Table 2.7 have been identified as items that should be standard or optional in the course menu, depending on the course. You may add items that are not included in the template as appropriate.Review the item is Table 2.7 and determine which ones work "as is" for your course and which ones you need to delete, add, or change.The order and organization of the Course Menu is shown below; a diagram of how it is organized is in Appendix C, and more detailed overview can be found in the SiteMap.xlsx in the anization of the Course Menu:The course menu is organized into six functional sections of links to course content items. The [Your Course] Home Page appears first, above the first divider line. The next four sections are labeled with bold headers and separated with horizontal lines. The last section, hidden resources for the instructor, is not labeled because a label can’t be hidden from students.[Your Course] Home PageCourse Information Communications and Tools (that are used in the course)Course ContentSupport and Resources Instructor Private Area - Hidden links, for instructor use only, section not labeledTABLE 2.7: Home Page and Course Menu ContentsCourse Menu Item CodeSupporting or linked FilesInstructions and Information2.7. Course Menu Table*CM-1[Your Course] Home PageMTI-HomePage_Note-To-Instructors-about-this-Template.docxThe template is set up to place the course Home Page link directly under the course title in the course menu, to make it easy to find. In the template it links to the Home Page content area, which appears on the right. (A content area appears like and is similar to a folder.)The Home Page contains four template items (along with some instructions for the instructor who is building the course):Welcome to [Course Name+Number]Course Orientation – Start HereThis week …[Course Unit – Folder Template] Welcome to [Your Course Name] - contains a suggested format containing the course name, number, your name, and contact information. You should edit this and replace [items in brackets] with information for your course. Course Orientation – Start Here. This item is a link to the Course Orientation content area, which looks like a folder. (The main link to the Course Orientation is found in the course menu.) See Home Page description at the beginning of Step 2.7. This item should appear for the first three weeks of the course, after which it may be hidden from the Home Page. This week … This item tells students what they should be doing “now”, normally each week. Edit this at the beginning of each week or other period, e.g., “This week you should work through the contents of Folder 2: Brain and Behavior.” See Home Page description at the beginning of Step 2.7.[Course Unit – Folder Template] – You should create a folder for each content unit in your course. See Section 2.8 and Table 2.8 – #CU-1 for complete instructions on using this template. We recommend that you do NOT use the Course Dashboard as the home page, but leave it accessible in the Course Menu.Course InformationSection headingLabel – does not link to anything. Items in this section contain information about the course.CM-2Course Orientation MContent area (acts like a folder)See Section 2 - Step 2.6 and Table 2.6 above for information on setting up the contents of the Course Orientation folder (items marked CO- in the Course Orientation section of Table 2.6).CM-3Course ResourcesMContent area (acts like a folder)See Section 2 - Step 2.6 and Table 2.6 above for information on setting up the contents of the Course Resources folder (items marked CR- in the Course Resources section of Table 2.6).*CM-4Syllabus and ScheduleMCourse link into Course Orientation folderSee Section 2 - Step 2.5 above for instructions for setting up a link to the Syllabus and Schedule in the Course Menu. CM-5CalendarOTool LinkThe Calendar is a tool in Learn. It is automatically populated when you set a due date on a course tool (e.g., assignment, discussion, test). You can also edit the calendar and create dates for additional “events” In your course. Click on Calendar in the course menu, and then click on a date or on the “+” in the upper right; the “create event” box will appear. I don’t know if it interfaces with publisher-provided calendars; this may vary. If you use a publisher-provided calendar instead of Learn’s calendar, delete this item and provide a web link here to the publisher’s calendar (if possible).*CM-6AnnouncementsMTool LinkT-FirstAnnouncementTemplate.docxOne sample announcement is supplied with the template. Click on Announcements to open the Announcements window, and then on “Create Announcement” to create an announcement of your own. Announcements that are available will also appear as links on the My Learn portal page, which students can see when they log in, and on the Course Dashboard page. In your first Announcement, be sure to instruct students to click on the Home Page in the course menu.In the first few announcements, students should be instructed to go to the [Your Course] Home Page link in the first few announcements, so that they become accustomed to this.When your announcement is ready to go, check the box “Email Announcement - Send a copy of this Announcement”. This will send a copy of the announcement to each student’s UNM email. Not all students read their UNM email, but duplicating the announcement there and in the course increases the chances that they will see it. We recommend that you check this box, even if your normal communications with students is via Course Messages.Usage Note: In online courses, students often report feeling disconnected from the instructor. To help them feel more connected and involved, we recommend that each week you post at least one announcement, which you can use to remind students about due dates, extra helps/tips, reminders to get started on large projects, reminders of upcoming exams, notification that an assignment set has been graded, general comments on student work or on themes that emerged in their assignments, a summary of the previous week and a bridge to the next, etc. This is especially important in classes where students leave the Learn environment and work on a Publisher site.*CM-7Course DashboardOTool LinkThe Course Dashboard as supplied with the template comes with modules for Announcements, Alerts, What’s New, and Needs Attention. We recommend that you add two additional modules, Messages and UNM Learn Support, and that you remove the “Needs Attention” module, because it is updated only for instructors.To add these modules:Click on Course Dashboard in the Course Menu. This will open the Dashboard.Click on Add Course Module, just under the Course Dashboard title. This brings up a list of modules that are, or can be added, to the Dashboard.Locate Messages and UNM Learn Support, and click the “Add” button below each of these.Locate Needs Attention, and click the “Remove”button.Click on “OK” in the lower right corner when you are munications and ToolsSection headingLabel – does not link to anything. Contains links to course communications and tools*CM-8Course Messages(or Email, or External email)M(Tool Link if Course Messages or Email, otherwise web link to external site)Course Messages: These are like email, but the messages are sent and received entirely within your online classroom. You and your students (participants in your class) cannot send messages to an external email address, and participants cannot send messages into the classroom from an external email address. Participants must be logged in to send and receive course messages. You, the instructor, can set up notifications and be notified via your UNM email when you have received a course message. See Email: This sends email to your or students’ (participants’) UNM email address. Replies to these messages are also sent to participants’ UNM email address. Replies cannot be sent back into the Learn classroom. External email: an external email package, such as offered by some publishers for communications in their courses. A tool link to Course Messages is supplied with the template. No prepared course messages are included with the template. To ensure that your students know how to use the tool you select, you may want to create a course message (email, external email), send it to all of your class members, and ask them to reply.NOTE: if you are not using Course Messages, you should replace this link with the Tool Link to Email, which will send to the students’ UNM Email addresses, or with an external email link, and make corresponding changes in the Course Orientation “Communications” item.Recommendation – don’t use Learn’s email as your primary one-on-one communication method. It’s potentially confusing, and all of the email that you or students send from inside the Learn classroom ends up in UNM mailboxes; the email is not retained inside the course, and people cannot direct replies to email sent from Learn back into the course. Use Course Messages instead; it will keep both your and the students’ communications regarding the course all in one place.CM-9*My Grades(or alternative location)MOTool Link to student view of gradesStudents should be able to get feedback on their work in a timely fashion and find out their course grades. Learn delivers all feedback via a tool called My Grades. If you teach primarily using the tools of Learn, you should use My Grades. You manage the gradebook using “Grade Center” in the Course Management section of the Learn menu. If you use publisher materials, the publisher may provide its own gradebook, and you may want to direct students to use that instead. If you use a publisher gradebook, provide a direct link to it, if possible. NOTE: There are ways to download the gradebooks from Learn and from the publisher into a spreadsheet, combine them, and then upload the result into Learn so that students can see their overall grades in a secure environment. If you would like to try this, see Carol Furchner for information on how to set this up.*CM-10Discussion BoardMOTool LinkT-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docxSee T-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docx for information about how discussions appear in two places: a “parent” discussion forum that controls the discussion in the Discussion Board, and a “child” that is linked from a folder elsewhere in Learn. The “parent” controls the parameters of how the discussion is run. *CM-11Other Tool Links (not shown in template) – may use forBlogsJournalsAssignmentsTests (Quiz, Exam)WikisEtc.OTool Links - if you use any of these, you may add them as a “Tool Link” using the “+” at the top of the course menu, or just provide access to them via links in each Course Unit Folder.This is a placeholder for other tool links that you may want to place in the course menu, both tools in Learn and tools from external sites. You can place the links directly in the course menu as Tool Links if they are in Learn, or as Web Links, if they are external to the course.If you wish to use a tool that is not linked in this area of the course menu, simply add a link here. You should always provide the individual links to individual discussions, blogs, assignments, tests, etc. in the course unit folders or learning modules so that they will be available when the students need to use them. Other examples of tool links are shown below – these are NOT shown in the course menu in the template, but you can add them to the course menu if you use them.*CM-12Groups (Not shown)MO(Tool Link) – if you use Groups, add this as a “Tool Link” using the “+” at the top of the course menu.Include link for student to access groups, if you use them. There are several Learn facilities that support groups, but be aware that some group features are buggy. We’ve put this at a low priority for now with the current recommendation that if an instructor wants to use groups, see the Learn documentation for instructors and work with Learn Support on main campus.*CM-13[Synchronous Communications Tool] (not shown)O(Tool link if you use Collaborate; or Web link to URL of external tool tool)Blackboard Collaborate is a web conferencing tool that is available through Learn. Instructions for its use can be found here and on subsequent links in the Faculty menu: .If you use this or another tool such as AnyMeeting or Skype or Google+ Groups or ZOOM for synchronous communications with students, put a link to access it here and put instructions for its use in Course Orientation or Course Resources (separate table, see above). You can also place the link on the home page. See DeBray Bailey for help in setting up ZOOM.*CM-14[Smart Board](not shown)O(Web link to URL of tool)If you want to capture classroom activity on a Smart Board and post it for later use, contact DeBray Bailey for help. Provide a link to Smart Board here and instructions for accessing/using it in Course Orientation and Resources. *CM-15[Media Site](not shown)O(Web link to URL of tool)Post the link for your course’s Media Site captured lectures here. Or place a link to each lecture in the appropriate course unit folder and instructions for accessing it in Course Orientation and Resources. See DeBray Bailey for help in setting this -0Course Content MSection headingPut at least one link to course materials in this section. You may opt to: Create one folder on the home page to hold all of the course unit folders, place individual course unit folders inside the container folder, and create a link to each of the individual course unit folders (or learning modules) to the course menu. Create a folder for each individual course unit (or create a learning module for each course unit) on the home page, and create a link to each of these in the course menu. This is the scheme used in this template.On the Home Page, a template is supplied for an individual course unit folder that is linked to an entry on the course menu. See Section 2 Step 2.8 and Table 2.8 for information on using this template to set up your course units.*CC-1[First Course Unit folder](hidden)TemplateLinks to the course unit folder template; you may make as many copies of the course unit folder template as needed for your course, modify the content of each, and link each to the course menu in the Course Content section.*CC-2External or Publisher site – not shown in template or course menuMOItem with URL to publisher site.If you have one or more links to the publisher site or other site where students do most of their work, it should go in Course Content. (If it’s an optional, supplementary site, you may choose to put it under Support and Resources, below.)SR-0Support and ResourcesMSection Heading.The Support and Resources section of the course menu contains mostly links to files and locations that you will not need to modify. Look through this section, and if you decide that you do need to modify any items, you can find .docx versions of .pdf files in the UNMLA TemplateBox, UNMLA_Template_Files folder.SR-1How to Use LearnMWeb link Web link to a UNM page with brief instructions for using the most commonly used tools in LearnSR-2Learn – video tutorialsMWeb link Web link to a Blackboard channel on YouTube with short videos on how to use various tools in LearnSR-3LibrariesMContent area containing web links Link to Content Area that contains web links to UNM-LA Library and UNM Libraries; you may add web links to additional libraries if appropriate*SR-4TS-0Tech Support and Resources (content area folder)MCourse link to Content Area containing links to the following documents in the TemplateBoxThis folder contains links to basic and informational technical resources. All materials are supplied, but you can edit their source files to meet the needs of your course. Source files are in the Templates section of the TemplateBox. You can also add information, such as web links to technical support on a publisher site that you use. TS-1About Technical Support and ResourcesMBrief description of Tech Support and Resources folder content.TS-2--Where to get Help and Technical SupportMDescribes several ways of getting help and technical support*TS-3[Where to get Technical Support from the publisher (not included in template)]MOIf you use a publisher site or other external supported site, provide information here about where to get help and technical support for that site. Create a web link for that information and place it here, in the Technical Support and Resources folder.TS-4--How to Create a Support TicketMTwo ways to create a support ticket*TS-5--Set up your computer to work with LearnMProvides links to tools and software needed to set up computer, find out which browsers are supported, special tools needed for this class (a basic list for Learn is furnished, you should modify if needed for class, e.g., if you require hardware or software that is not on the list). TS-6-Check your browser’s compatibility with LearnMWeb link Checks browser type and version and flags possible problem areas. Students should disable popup blockers for . Need for other suggested changes depend on types of materials used in the course.*TS-7--Computer Skills Needed in Online CoursesMList of computer skills needed for a basic online course (basic list is furnished). You may add your own for special course needs, e.g., knowledge of Excel or JavaScript.TS-8--lynda – free online computer skills trainingMWeb link Link to free training videos available through UNM. Logging in with UNM NetID and password is required.TS-9--Create a Back-up Plan and Back Up Your FilesMBack-up/disaster recovery plan for what students should do to prepare for a computer crash or loss of access to internet, and how to back up files on your computer to an external location.TS-10--How to Keep Your PC Free from Viruses and MalwareMSteps to help keep your files safe from malware and viruses.TS-11--Printing Course Content from LearnMInstructions for how to print from the content area in four different browsers; the method is different for each one.*TS-12[--Web Conferencing instructions] (not in template]OBlackboard Collaborate is the web conferencing tool that is included in Learn. If you use it or another tool for synchronous communications or web conferences (such as AnyMeeting, Skype, or Google+ Hangouts), provide instructions here about how students should access and use it. See DeBray Bailey for help. SR-5Create a Support Ticket (menu item)MTool LinkStudents may use this to request technical support from main campus Learn support. (Note that you moved this menu item, whose link is specific to your course, to this location in Section 1, Step 5.3.) AR-0Academic Support and Campus Resources (folder)Course Link to Content area containing external web links“Academic Support and and Campus Resources” links to a folder containing links to the following items.AR-1 -- UNM-LA Academic Support CenterMWeb link to -- UNM-LA Student ServicesMWeb link to AR-3 -- UNM Accessibility Resource CenterMWeb link AR-4 -- The Pathfinder - UNM student handbookMWeb link AR-5 -- UNM-LA Campus SafetyMWeb link AR-6 -- UNM LoboAlertsOWeb link AR-7[Your Subject] Resource (folder) – not in templateO Not in template. Create a content area folder to contain web links to subject matter resources. Suggested types of information that you might place in this folder are listed belowAR-7a[ -- Publisher Textbook Resources] (Not in Template)OPut this here if access to publisher site is optional (If it’s mandatory, put it with Course Materials). Also provide links to the publisher site in course units if regular access to this site is required.AR-7b [-- Professional or Student Society ] (Not in Template)OSome disciplines have professional or student societies that contain information that may be helpful, especially to majors.AR-7c[ -- Other resources](Not in Template)OFor other external resources, depending on course needs. E.g., put link to Wolfram Alpha, museum sites, PubMed, Congressional Record, etc. (Can also place this on the top level of the course menu rather than in the Support and Resources folder). You could also place a link here to a UNM program that includes your course, such as EMT training.IR-0Instructor Resources This section contains only hidden links. If you don’t want to see them, delete them. As delivered in the template, they are hidden from students, as indicated by this icon: . This section does not have a title. It sits below student links and above Course Management in the course menu.Instructor TipsH Tips for building courses and teaching with Learn, from main campusFaculty documentationH Faculty documentation for Learn that is developed by main campus.UNMLA TemplateBoxH Web link to UNMLA TemplateBox, which contains templates, checklists, examples, and instructions for instructor use.Example Course for InstructorsH See Appendix A for instructions on how to access this course and register with CourseSites. This course contains examples of many of the elements of the template, as used in real courses at UNM-LA. (This may be undergoing revision – check back later if a revision notice appears.)My Notes – Private JournalHTool LinkPrivate journal for keeping notes about the course, such as extensions given to students, decisions, what worked and didn’t, ideas for next semester, etc.Scratch folderHCourse LinkUse this for developing or testing out materials not yet ready for student view, and then move/copy the materials to their correct locations. Since this folder is hidden, students can’t see it or its contents while you are working on the materials.Step 2.8: Create course materials in Course UnitsA “course unit” is an organization you can use to break down and group materials into manageable chunks for the students, e.g., by week, by chapter, by topic. Course units in Learn may be organized as either folders or learning modules (containers). Each course unit container should serve as a single location where students can go to find links to all of the materials that they will need to complete the work for that unit (with the exception of materials that are not available online).A template showing the internal structure of a course unit folder can be found in the UNMLA Template Files folder in the TemplateBox. This is linked in the Online Course Template. T-template-contents-for-Course-Unit-Folders.docx Create course unit folders/modules.For simplicity, the rest of this discussion will assume that a “course unit” is a chapter in the textbook, and that each folder deals with one chapter and its associated materials and activities. You can change the labels and wording as needed if you organize by week, unit, or some other method. For each chapter, you will create a folder on the course home page, and then you will create or upload course content (overview, documents, instructions, tools, web links etc.) into the folder, and then link the folder into the course menu. A Word copy of the text is in the TemplateBox, in the templates section: T-template-contents-for-Course-Unit-Folder.docxTo create a link from the chapter folder into the course menu, click on “Course Link” from the button just above the course menu, and then find the folder that you wish to link in the list of linkable objects in the course in the window that pops up.Chapter folders should contain ALL of the instructions, materials, and links that students need to complete the work for that unit, gathered together in this single place.The first item in a chapter folder?should be an overview of activities for that chapter. The overview, together or separately in other items, should mention:Brief overview of unit, what students will learn/doList of activities, e.g., items to be read, watched, started, completed, turned inDue dates, either explicit dates or mention of something that contains them, such as the schedule, and where it can be found.Learning objectives/outcomes for the chapter (what do you want students to be able to do when they complete this unit?)The chapter folder may contain additional items, depending on what you assign. These may include items such as: Materials needed (readings, videos, media) - provide description or linksLinks to work items that students must complete for the unit, e.g., discussion, assignment, blog, quiz, journal, external work, etc. You will create separate items in the folder for each of these.Link to a publisher site or publisher site materials if applicable?Optional and extra credit materialsThe course template contains one skeletal folder that is linked into the course menu. Inside it contains an assortment of the types of content that might be used in a “typical” online course. It does not contain a link to a test or assignment, because only one instance of each test or assignment can appear in a single learn course. Instead, it has placeholders for these items, which you should replace as you are building your course.TABLE 2.8: Course Unit Folder ContentsCU-0Course UnitCodeSupporting or Linked FilesComment2.8. Course Unit TableCU-1Course Unit – FolderMC-CourseUnitFolderTemplateChecklist.docxFolder on the home page that contains one course unit. Create a course unit folder for each course unit in your course, to contain all work for that course unit (week, chapter, unit, or whatever you use to organize your course materials).Text on it should contain a brief identification of what it contains, and instructions how to open it (at least on the first 2 or 3), e.g.,During [Course Unit Name], we will cover the topic(s) of …Click on the name of this folder to open it and get started.Course Unit Contents:Listed belowCU-2[Course Unit Descriptor] - OverviewMT-template-contents-for-Course-Unit-Folders.docxOverview of the course unit (Template). Gives students an overview of the contents of this unit (see descriptive materials above).NOTE: Make sure that you include the learning objectives/outcomes for each course unit. This required element is a part of the annual classroom observations for online courses at UNM-LA.CU-3Materials/Activities for this [course unit]MCreate links to or items containing readings, videos, study guide, screencast, video of lecture, external web sites, and other things students need to read, do, or have on hand in order to complete the work in the unit. You may want to insert separate web links or items, or attach a list of several items or web links rather than making a single long list of materials within an item. You may also use “Attach File” to attach any files that you have stored within your course in the Content Collection. Obviously, hard-copy materials that can’t be linked or included must only be mentioned (e.g. a paper textbook chapter.)CU-4Discussion [n] – [Title]MOTool linkT-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docxT-Template-contents-for-Course-Unit-Folders.docxTemplate/Example. Create “parent” discussion forum on Discussion board, and link to it from within the Course Unit folder. See T-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview for instructions on how to do this.CU-5Assignment [Placeholder] MOPlaceholder for Assignment tool – see T-Template-contents-for-Course-Unit-Folders.docxA template is not provided for an assignment because you can’t copy an assignment (you can only move one). Instead, instructions and a checklist for the assignment are provided the T-Template-contents … file, mentioned at the left, in the TemplateBox.You should replace the “Item” that is the placeholder for the Assignment in the TemplateBox with an “Assignment” tool. Create an assignment using the “Assessment” button, next to “Build Content.” Provide instructions for completing the assignment including instructions for submitting it. CU-6Other Student Activities [PLACEHOLDER]MOCreate links to tools etc. for things that students need to do – e.g., discussion, assignment, blog, group work, journal, wiki, test – including links to a publisher site or an external site if used. Include instructions for completing and submitting the work.CU-7OPTIONAL: Supplementary MaterialsOProvide links or information about any optional, supplementary materials you want to provide for your students. These should be clearly labeled as OPTIONAL.Course Unit: ExampleHere is an annotated example of the contents of a “typical’ chapter folder; its content follow the structure of the folder in the template. The “course unit” used in this case is a chapter in the textbook, Chapter 2.Table 2.8a: Example of a Course Unit, as a Chapter Folder.Course Unit Content – Example of a Chapter FolderNotesChapter 2: Brain and BehaviorThis folder contains the materials that you will need as we work on Chapter 2 in the textbook. Click on the title of this folder to get started.This is the title of a chapter folder that is located on the home page. Home Page menu: Build Content Content Folder Inside the folder, place the items shown belowOverview of Chapter 2: Brain and behaviorDuring the next two weeks, we will be considering how the brain is involved in the production of behaviors and mental processes … [more explanatory text]The work for this chapter will include:Reading and videoscomplete by September 8Check your progresscomplete by September 8Discussion 2Initial post: due September 8Comments on other student posts: due September 11Assignment 2 due September 11Quiz 2due September 11On completion of this unit, you will be able to meet the learning objectives for Chapter 2, which are in the attached link, above. To help you meet these learning objectives, complete the assigned materials and work in this folder in the order in which they are listed.Folder menu: Build Content ItemFor Overview, make sure you include:General description, what students should expect to learn and doList of activities Due dates, either explicit or mention where they can be foundLearning objectives/outcomes for course unit(The attached link for chapter learning objectives that is mentioned is not included here)Read: Textbook, Chapter 2: Brain and Behavior. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the structures and functions of the human nervous system, including peripheral nerves and spinal cord, with most emphasis on the structures and functions of the brain. It relates brain areas and structures to some of the behaviors, emotions, and mental processes with which they are associated. Expect to read this chapter several times if this is your first introduction to the human nervous system, because the vocabulary used to describe it is difficult.Item in folderGive a brief description and/or rationale for readings and other sources of informationRead and explore: 3D Brain – This web site provides a 3D view of brain structures and where they are located, as well as descriptions of their functions. (Note that you must use this on a device or browser that supports Adobe Flash, such as Firefox.) Read and understand the information about the following structures: …(list). This assignment should help you to visualize the locations of these structures in the brain.Build Content Web link links to 3D-Brain web siteView: David Eagleman: What is Reality? (~55 min) In this video, neuroscientist David Eagleman discusses the relationship between what we experience as “mind” and the brain. The video is from his BBC series, The Brain with David Eagleman. As you watch this video, keep the following questions in mind…Web link in folder – links to Eagleman video on YouTube (can also embed the video in the item)Check your progress: Self-Test on Chapter 2 (publisher site): Although you will not receive a grade for completing this self-test, use the questions on it to help you determine what concepts are clear to you and which ones are giving you difficulty.For information about how to use self-testing on the publisher site, see “xxxx” in the Course Orientation.Web link in folder – if you assign publisher materials, provide a link to the materials on the site if possible, otherwise to the link on the site. Give brief description and instructions for use.“xxxx” would be instructions for using self-testingDiscussion 2 – Brain and Behavior: For your initial post in Discussion 2, create a thread with your answer to one of the following two questions. The due date for your initial post is given in the Overview. Remember to return to this discussion and respond to at least two other student posts by the comments due date. Remember: support your answers with evidence obtained from the textbook or other sources, and mention these sources. Don’t just give your opinions. The questions are listed in the Attached File, Discussion 2 Instructions and Questions.pdfYour participation in this discussion will support learning objectives 1 and 2, which deal with relationships between brain and behavior and some of the behavioral consequences of damage to specific parts of the brain.This discussion is worth 20 points.Your discussion contributions will be graded based on… [describe criteria, or provide name or link to discussion grading rubric].For information about participating in discussions and how discussions will be used in this course, see Course Information Information – Discussions.To enter the discussion, click on "Discussion 2 – Brain and Behavior" above, and make your post.Tools Discussion boardCreate Discussion 2 forum on Discussion Board. Place link to Discussion 2 forum in course unit folder.A checklist/template for the contents of instructions for a discussion is provided in the file T-DiscussionsInLearn-Overview.docx, in the TemplateBox.Assignment 2 – Your Brain while Driving.In this assignment you will consider the functions of several different parts of the nervous system and how and when they will be active when you are driving a car. The purpose of the assignment is to help you develop an understanding of how various parts of the brain function and cooperate in order to allow you to complete a “simple” task such as driving a car.Specific instructions and questions are in the attached file, above. Click on “Assignment 2 Instructions” to open the file. If your computer can’t read a Microsoft Word (docx) file, contact the instructor.Answer the questions in the assignment instructions, and save your answers in a file (doc, docx, pdf, or rtf). Be sure to number your answers. Attach the file to this assignment submission (scroll down in this window), and submit your assignment. For instructions about how to submit an assignment, see “Assignments” here: DO NOT COPY AND PASTE YOUR ANSWERS IN THE “COMMENTS” BOX of the Assignment Submission form. Submit them in an attached file.Grading: worth 20 points. Specific grading criteria are provided in the Assignment 2 instructions. Check the Overview, above, for the due date.Assessments AssignmentProvide instructions about how to complete the assignment, or attach them in a file (instructions are not shown in this example)Mention the purpose of this assignment, either here or in the assignment instructionsProvide instructions about how to submit the assignment and what file types you will acceptDescribe how the assignment will be gradedFill out the remainder of the options on the assignment creation sheet (what you see when you open Assessments Assignment).Quiz 2 – Brain and BehaviorThis quiz is over Chapter 2 and other assigned materials. It consists of multiple choice and T/F questions. Worth 25 points. See the Overview for its due date.For information on how to take a quiz in Learn, see “Overview: Quizzes and Tests” in the Course Orientation in Week 1.This quiz is open-book and open-note. You will have one hour to complete it after you begin. You may retake it as many times as you like, until its due date; note that you will see (mostly) different questions each time you take it. Your highest grade will be used in computing your course grade.Self-quizzing is one of the recommended strategies for helping you to learn and remember new information; this is described in Course Resources Studying Tips for Students. I encourage you to take each quiz as many times as you like, look at the answers, and take it again. Your official quiz grade will be your highest grade on the quiz.One way to create a quiz is to use Learn’s Test tool, viaAssessments Tests. If instead of using Learn’s Test tool you want to have students submit scanned answer sheets or .doc or docx files containing their answers, use the Assignment tool in order to create the quiz and have the students attach their answers to the assignment. For quizzes and tests, describe:Question types, number of questions, due date, and how long they will have to complete it.Where to find information about how to take a quiz or test.If retakes are allowed, how will they be graded?OPTIONAL Readings and VideosOptional readings and videos related to brain and behavior are listed below. You are not required to read or view them. They are presented for students who may wish to explore some aspects of this topic that we don’t cover in this class.[List of optional readings and videos…]Item type depends on what you are linkingNOTE: If assignments or other work requires files that need to be accessed or downloaded, such as files containing data, either put these in Course Orientation (see Step 6) with instructions on how to unpack/unzip/store them for future use, or put links to individual files that are needed for specific assignments in the course unit folder where they are used (Step 2.8).Section 3. Modifying template files for your courseSeveral informational files are linked to various items in the Online Course Template, especially in Course Orientation, Course Resources, and Tech Support and Academic Support. (Netiquette.pdf is an example). We attempted to make the information in these files as general as possible, but we recognize that you may still want to modify them for your own courses. For other files, such as the Welcome Letter or Announcements , we only provide template files or checklist files for files that you will need to create for your course. This section describes how to find a template file in the TemplateBox, download it, modify it, and upload the modified file into your course. Links to files that you are likely to want to modify can be found in the TemplateBox, UNMLA_Template_Files, here: Links to checklist files are found in the TemplateBox folder, here: Figure 3.1 contains a pictorial model of what you are doing. (The instructions make this look more complicated than it is.)Figure 3.1: Locations of and relationships among files in the TemplateBox, your computer, and your course in Learn.(see next page) The steps for replacing a file from the online course template with one that you have modified are listed below. Because it has a short name, I will use Netiquette.pdf as an example.Identify the file in the online course template that you wish to modify, and note its present location in your online classroom. Example: Netiquette.pdf, located in Course Orientation and Resources folder.Open the link to the UNMLA TemplateBox in the instructor section of the course menu (panel A in Figure 3.1).Click on the folder called UNMLA_Template_Files (Panel A).Locate the template file that you would like to replace, and specifically, the .docx version of it (T-Filename.docx) (Panel A).Locate the template file for Netiquette, called T-Netiquette.docx.Click on T-Filename.docx – it’s a link (Panel A).Click on T-Netiquette.docx. The file will download to your computer (Panel A to Panel B). The behavior for downloading will depend on your browser and how you have it optioned. It may ask for a location to download to (Firefox), or it may download the file and open a restricted version (Chrome). Do whatever you need to do in order to download the file, save it in a location on your computer that you can find, and then open it in Word or a word processor that can handle a docx file. (Panel B). (If you need a different version of the file, contact a member of the eLearning committee.)Now T-Filename.docx is on your computer. (Panel B)Now T-Netiquette.docx is on your computer.Open the file in your word processing app, make sure that it’s editable, and then save it as MyFilename.docx on your computer. (Panel B). Make the changes in the MyFilename.docx, and save the file. Note that it is a good idea to include a notation, possibly at the end of the text, that indicates to you that you have modified a template file for your course.Save T-Netiquette.docx as MyNetiquette.docx. Make your changes in MyNetiquette.docx and save it as MyNetiquette.docx on your computer in a location that you will remember.Convert MyFilename.docx to a .pdf file. You can do this either by using “Save as” .pdf in Word or by printing it with a .pdf converter program, and naming it MyFilename.pdf. If the file contains links to other files, save it as a .pdf in Word to ensure that the links will open in Chrome.Convert and save MyNetiquette.docx to MyNetiquette.pdf. MyFilename.pdf is still on your computer, and you need to put it in your Learn classroom. Go back into your classroom in Learn, and upload MyFilename.pdf into the Content Collection in Learn. See step 11, below. (Panel B to Panel C; from here on, you’re working in Panel C)MyNetiquette.pdf is still on your computer. Go back into Learn, and upload MyNetiquette.pdf into the Content Collection in Learn. Content Collection is the first tool listed under COURSE MANAGEMENT, at the bottom of your course menu. Click on Content Collection (1), and then click on the number (which identifies your course) just underneath it (2). Numbers here refer to Figure 3.2. Figure 3.2: Opening the Content Collection for your course in Learn.That will open the Content Collection for your course – it’s YOUR course’s file cabinet, where materials that YOU create are stored when you upload them. Note that it is NOT the same as TemplateBox.Upload MyFilename.pdf from your computer into the Content Collection, by clicking on the Upload button (1) and following instructions on the screen. Following upload, your file will be listed in the content collection (2). Numbers here refer to Figure 3.3.Figure 3.3. Uploading a file in Content Collection.Click on Upload, then find and select Netiquette.pdf on your computer, and follow the instructions on the screen. Netiquette.pdf will appear in the Content Collection after upload is complete.Next, return to the Folder in the course where you want MyFilename.pdf to appear to the students.Using the course menu, open the Course Orientation folder and scroll down to the item where Netiquette is linked.Create a NEW Item: click on “Build Content”, and then select “Item.” Give the item a Name in the Name box, then type the instructions you want to give to students. To attach YOUR file to the item, scroll down to ATTACHMENTS and click on “Browse Content Collection. Following the instructions on the “Browse Content Collection” screen that appears, click on the little gray spot at the left of MyFilename.pdf, and then click on the Submit your selection.Click on Build Content, and then select Item. Name this item Netiquette, just like the original web link. Follow the instructions on the screen that appears, and browse Content Collection to select your file, MyNetiquette.pdf. Click on the little gray spot at the left of MyNetiquette.pdf, and Submit your selection. This will return you to the screen where you are creating an item for MyNetiquette.pdf.In the “ATTACHMENTS section, you’ll see a box under “Link Title”. Give the title a meaningful name, such as “Instructions,” to replace the entire name of the file in that box.Type “Netiquette – pdf” in the box under Link Title.Select other options on the Item screen, and then click on “Submit.” Your new Item will appear at the BOTTOM of the list of items in the folder.Select other options on the Item screen, and click on Submit. Your new item containing a link to MyNetiquette.pdf will appear at the bottom of the list of items in the folder.Web link: Item link : In the folder containing the item that you have just created, drag your new file link to a position next to the old web link for the file you are replacing. Delete (or hide) the OLD web link and leave the new Item link in place. Move your newitem link (Netiquette) to a position next to the old web link for Netiquette. Delete the old web link and leave your new Item, “Netiquette”, which contains the MyNetiquette.pdf file link, in place.Now, when students click on MyFilename in the folder, they will be able to open your modified file rather than the old template file, T-Filename.pdf.Now, when students click on Netiquette in the Course Orientation folder, they will be able to open your modified Netiquette.pdf rather than the old template file.Section 4. Other things to consider adding to your courseAlthough these are not in the template, you may want to consider adding them to your course to make it friendlier for your students.TABLE 4.1: Other Optional ItemsItemCodeSupporting or Linked FilesComment4. 1 Other Items TableInstructor InformationC-InstructorInformationChecklist.docxThe syllabus template requires that you provide information about yourself, including when and how to reach you and office hours (onground and online); this must contain at least one way to contact you outside of the online classroom (e.g., your UNM email address). To make this more informative for the class, you may also include an item in the course menu or Course Orientation section that includes what students can expect from you and a little personal background information, such as your degrees, teaching experience, work experience outside of academia, hobbies, a photo. A checklist is provided. You may provide this in Course Orientation, link it from the home page, or link it on the course menu, in the Course Information section.In each [course unit] you will…Currently this is combined with Introduction to [Your Course] in Orientation or provided within your course schedule. You may want to pull this information out and provide it as a separate item in Course Orientation.Using SafeAssignSafeAssign is a tool that you and your students can use to check for plagiarism. It is currently not in the template; if you use it, you should supply instructions in Course Orientation and Resources for how you will use it in the course and how students should submit their assignments. Each department may have its own requirements. You can find information about how to use SafeAssign here: Section 5. Final Checklist: Am I done?I have edited the Homepage item to include:Name of my courseInstructor name and contact informationA "start here" item or link that directs students to course orientation activities/materialsI have organized the Course Menu:Deleted links from UNM course shell, as specified in User GuideRearranged links within the sections of the menu as specified in User GuideNamed the homepage link Added suggested modules to the Course Dashboard areaAdded links to syllabus and schedule in Course Information area of menuAdded links to other tools if used (e.g., journal, blog), in Course Communications and Tools area of menuAdded links to course folders or learning modules in Course Content area of menuAdded link to a publisher's site if used, in Course Content area of menuAdded link to your subject resources folder and/or publisher resources site in Course Content area of menu, if usedAdded, changed, or deleted other links as appropriate for my courseI have created, uploaded, modified, or deleted these items in the Course Orientation folder, as appropriate for my class:Course IntroductionCourse Learning Objectives and Outcomes (can repeat from syllabus, can include these in Course Introduction)Syllabus and Schedule Welcome LetterVideo tour of your course [optional]Course and navigation tools [optional – describe here or in course introduction]Communications in This CourseTextbook Information, along with How to Use Publisher or Other External Site, if you use oneOther instructions for the course that are not included in the template (how to use other tools, do activities)Orientation activities (“DO”) for tools in your course (e.g., discussion, assignment, blog, course messages, test)I have created content, uploaded, modified, or deleted content for these items in the Course Resources folder, as appropriate for my class:Rubrics folder Writing in This Course folder Information – Discussions folderInformation – Folder X : Information about other tools or activities that are used in this courseStudying and Learning: Strategies for Success: added my own strategy information, if wantedI have created course unit folders or learning modules, each containing:Unit overviewUnit learning objectives/outcomes Summary of items/activities to be done or completedDue dates Materials needed to complete the unit: reading, video, lecture material, etc.Links to work items for the unit: assignment, discussion, quiz, etc.Discussions, if used. Check that discussions are set up properly in both the Discussion Board area and the discussion link within the course unit folder/moduleLink to publisher site or other site containing work, if applicableOptional materialsI have checked the contents of the Tech Support and Resources menu to see if anything needs to be added, modified, or deleted for my courseContact information for support for publisher site, if usedContact information for support for synchronous communications, if usedIs any other tech support information needed?I have checked the contents of the Academic and Student Resources menus to see if anything needs to be added, modified, or deleted for my course.Additions, changes, deletions completed?I have added any optional subject matter, etc. resources to the Support and Resources section.Optional subject matter addedI have cleaned up as follows:Deleted items with red titles and yellow highlighting that were purely instructional for building the courseDeleted the yellow highlighted instructions within items that I have modified and retained for use in my courseChanged the red color of modified item titles to black and changed link titles to the color scheme used in my course style (the default color)Deleted all "placeholder" (PH) items that I’m not usingMade all items that I am using "visible" to studentsVerified that Discussion Threads have the correct owner, especially Introduce Yourself discussion from the templateI have:Switched to Student View to check the final appearance of the course to the student, making sure that all items are hidden or visible as intendedFrom Student View, verified that all of the links in the course are working correctly and that all files and web links open in Student View. If your course contains items that link to the internet, it’s also a good idea to repeat this link check of web links a few days before students first need to access the item.)Checked all due dates and other dates to make sure that they are correct for this semester (The Date Management tool may be helpful – you can find it listed in Course Tools.)Checked the order of items in the Grade Center, to make sure that they will appear to the students in the correct order and that there are no duplicate entries for Total and Weighted TotalAppendix A: Access Course Examples in CourseSites [Being Revised][The CourseSites Example Course was still being revised at the time this User Guide was prepared. Check back later to attempt to access it.]A "course" in Learn was developed by the eLearning committee in CourseSites by Blackboard using the UNM-Los Alamos Online Course Template.? It provides an example of what the online course template looks like when it is populated with content. To view this example course, you must first enroll by following the instructions below.Launch a browser and enter the following URL to the course home page:[ – will be changed]Once at the course enrollment page, click the “Self-Enroll in this course” button.Enter the code UNMLA (in all capital letters) in the box that instructs you to enter the course access code.If you already have a CourseSites account, click the “I Have a CourseSites Account” to log in. Or, if you do not have an account, click “I Need a CourseSites Account” to create one.If you create an account, you will be asked to play a little video in order to see some text that you must type in, in order to verify that you are not a machine.Once logged in, you will be able to view the UNM-LA Template populated with example content.????When signing up, take note that you can register using existing account information from popular web services like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Gmail, Yahoo and Windows Live to make it easier to login.Appendix B: Some Useful (and mostly free) Software ToolsThis appendix contains a list of some of the software tools that members of the eLearning Committee have found very useful in building and teaching online courses. Most are free or available on some campus computers. We make no representations about their quality or availability, only that we have used them ourselves and found them helpful.PDF converterMS Word: Using “Save as…pdf” works well, but it creates very large files, with potentially long download times to student machines.CutePDF? Writer – free and basic, Windows only. Works well for files that do not contain links (see below). Note that you will also need to install Ghostscript; its link is on the CutePDF download page: . Mac users should find “Save as pdf” on the Print menu of Word. Adobe Acrobat – expensive and full-featured if you have access to it (but see below).Tradeoffs using different pdf converters: File size: MS Word PDF files are very large. Files created by other PDF writers are smaller.Accuracy of Links: Some versions of Adobe Acrobat do not render links accurately from Microsoft products, if the links contain special characters other than “_”. Other PDF writers, including MS Word, seem to render the links correctly. Verify that links containing special characters other than _ will open from a .pdf file created with Acrobat before investing a lot of effort.Links won’t open in Chrome via Learn: Links in files created in CutePDF may not open in Chrome, if accessed in Learn; this is made worse by some browser settings. Links created in other browsers will open in Chrome, but see Accuracy, above. To make sure that links are live and open in Chrome, use MS Word PDF. (Yes, it’s ugly.) Capture and label screenshotsJing – free and easy to use, was used to make the screenshots in this guide Make video screencastsJing (basic, limited to 5 min.) (basic version is free, Pro version subscription is around $15/year) Camtasia (expensive, full-featured, loaded on computers in the Amazing Box – See DeBray or Carol)Social bookmarkingDiigo – allows you to quickly capture and store bookmarks online, accessible from anywhere, so that you can share lists of bookmarks with your students. Here’s an example: Check for malwareMalwarebytes – free, scans and removes malware, for Windows: SUPERAntiSpyware – free, scans and removes malware, for Windows: Endpoint Protection (UNM – Free to faculty and students): -Appendix C: Organization of UNM-LA Online Course Template1 of 32 of 33 of 3 ................
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