Online course design
A series of strategies and tools to facilitate the development of an online course.
Note
Most of this content was developed during the COVID-19 crisis in late 2020 and early 2021. Some details may not relate to the current teaching context, but the principles and content remain valid if you plan to design an online course.
About online course design
The transition from a traditionally classroom-based course to a distance/online format relies on a combination of instructional and technology-based actions. To help you make this transition, the following section provides a series of strategies and tools to facilitate the development of an online course. Depending on your level of expertise and your needs, you can follow our step-by-step model or go directly to sections that meet your particular needs.
Step 1 – Mapping
In this first step, we consider the transition between an in-class course and a distance/online format using the typical steps in the course design process. The strategies and tools below provide ways to plan and organize your content using this course design process (for example, identifying the essential elements of the learning context, writing objectives and themes, planning feedback and evaluations, and developing learning activities).
We offer the following tools to guide you through this first step:
You can also view the webinar recording on the components of this first step.
Step 2 – Communicating
In this second step, we consider communication strategies in all their forms. An essential element of the course design process, we review different communication practices for remote and online courses. In particular, we discuss the importance of preparing resources (instructions, texts, multimedia, activities, and evaluations) to ensure the optimal flow of students' online learning experience.
We offer the following tools to guide you through this second step:
- Checklist – Teacher and Social Presence (PDF)
- Design for Learning – Optimize Content (PDF)
- Checklist – Design for Learning (PDF)
- Virtual Campus – Content Types and their Details (PDF)
You can also view the webinar recording on the components of this second step.
Step 3 – Developing
In this third step, we propose a series of themes that will allow you to implement various learning activities and leverage technologies to meet your learning goals.
A - Building content in Virtual Campus (Brightspace)
Are you building online teaching content using the Virtual Campus for the first time? Basics you need to know: creating your course space, creating a menu, writing instructions in appropriate spaces, using the HTML editor, adding documents (PDF, Word, Powerpoint and Excel), videos, web links and checklists. A quick overview to introduce key functionalities and important principles of the learning experience.
We offer the following tools to guide you:
You can also view the recording of a webinar on the components of this section A of the third step.
B – Promoting communication in Virtual Campus (Brightspace)
Are you looking for tools to foster communication (spaces for discussion or collaboration)? Virtual Campus offers tools for creating discussion spaces, configuring groups and using email and announcements to allow you to interact more effectively with your students.
We offer the following tools to guide you:
- Guide to Create Groups – Virtual Campus (PDF)
- Online Collaborative Learning – Fostering Effective Discussions (PDF)
You can also view the recording of a webinar on the components of this section B of the third step.
D – Adding multimedia to your course
Would you like to add multimedia features to your course such as short videos or audio clips to support your students' learning? We propose various ways to add multimedia to your courses (from simple to more complex), all while respecting important pedagogical and technical principles.
Some resources to guide you:
- Planning, Implementation and Dissemination of Educational Videos (PDF)
- Web link: 10 Tips for Creating Effective Instructional Videos
You can also view the recording of a webinar on the components of this section D of the third step.
F – MS Teams video conferencing through Virtual Campus (Brightspace)
Do you want to interact with your students in a synchronous session or offer virtual office hours? The Virtual Campus-integrated MS Teams tool is one option. You have access to synchronous participation tools and recording features.
We offer the following tools to guide you:
- MS Teams through Virtual Campus (pdf)
- Microsoft Teams Help & Learning
- Request a course space in MS Teams through Maestro
You can also view the recording of a webinar on the components of this section F of the third step.
G – Teaching at distance with Zoom
Will you be teaching for the first time at a distance? The Zoom Platform gives you the tools to interact with your students in real-time. Zoom offers different features to make your teaching experience a rich and stimulating learning moment for your students.
We offer the following tools to guide you:
You can also view the recording of a webinar on the components of this section G of the third step.
Library resources for online learning
Explore Library resources to help you to prepare your online courses: electronic course reserve service, digital collections (including books and films), open educational resources, copyright best practices in Virtual Campus, and support available from the research librarians.
Learn more:
You can also view the recording of a webinar on the Library's services and resources for online teaching.