Online Courses: Tips and Resources for Instructors

Accessibility

Blended/Online Course Development Resources

  • NEW! Storyboard Learning Objective Outline: This template is a guide for developing an outline for a course or program based on learning objectives/outcomes. 
  • Course Development Checklist: This checklist is a great resource for individuals or teams to use when they are at the planning stages of developing an online or blended course.
  • Course Development Flowchart: This document gives an overview of a process for developing an online or blended course including the following five stages: 1) Define 2) Plan 3) Build 4) Test/Refine 5) Launch 6) Evaluate/Improve.
  • Sample Course Outline: This document shows a sample course outline. A useful exercise when developing an online course is to work through a course outline with various subject matter experts.
  • Storyboard Example #1: This is a storyboard which is useful when developing text based online courses with activities, assessments, and graphics.
  • Storyboard Example #2: This storyboard is useful when developing an interactive online course.
  • Review Process Template: This sample review process document can be used in the peer, beta and pilot testing phases of courses.

Building Your Own Online/Blended Course

Below is the process for getting started with an MSU Extension online or blended course. Developing a course may take many months for an individual or team based on resources, time, and the complexity of the course.

STEP #1: SUBMIT COURSE REQUEST FORM

1

Starting January 1, 2024, MSU Extension will have a new process when developing an online course.

  1. Contact the instructional designer below based on your Institute.
    1. AABI: Gwyn Shelle
    2. CYI: Alan Pilkenton
    3. CFEI: Megan Loughlin-Krusky
    4. HNI SNAP/EFNEP Programs: Amy Shovels
    5. HNI Non-SNAP/EFNEP Programs: Gwyn Shelle
  2. The instructional designer from your institute will complete the course request process for non-credit courses and will give instructors access to a D2L course site.
  3. The instructional designer will work with staff on developing content following pedagogical best practices and ensure content meets MSU accessibility guidelines. 

STEP #2: COMPLETE TRAINING

3

The following training should be completed by staff would will be working on the course.

STEP #3: COMPLETE COURSE DESIGN PLAN

3

During the design phase, the elements of the course are outlined, budgets are defined, and plans are made for content development.

  • Course Development Checklist: This checklist is a great resource for individuals or teams to use when they are at the planning stages of developing an online or blended course.
  • Course Development Flowchart: This document gives an overview of a process for developing an online or blended course including the following five stages: 1) Define 2) Plan 3) Build 4) Test/Refine 5) Launch 6) Evaluate/Improve.

STEP #4: BUILD COURSE

Untitled design(14)

Staff will receive guidance in developing a course based on learning outcomes and assessment requirements, and the course will reflect appropriate virtual teaching strategies.

Each course will go through a final checklist, including a check for meeting accessibility guidelines. It is also recommended that all courses are peer reviewed.

If you are ready to explore online/blended courses, please contact 

Creative Commons Licensing

  • Overview of Creative Commons Licensing: Learn about how creative commons licensing can help disseminate your work and serve as a tool for the re-use of external resources when building a curriculum.
  • Creative Commons License Chooser Tool: This tool can be used for identifying a creative commons license for your work. It will give you an image which can be embedded in a web page or within a content item.

Effective Teaching Techniques

Online Badging at Michigan State University

  • Michigan State University Badging System: Online badges signify accomplishments of something such as completing a course or achieving a skill. Michigan State University has created an online badging system for face-to-face attendance and for achievements in online courses. Badges are not academic records but can be utilized as an incentive for course completion.
  • 7 Things You Should Know About Badges: An overview of online badging and higher eduction (article by EDUCAUSE).

 

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