Course Structure and Organization

Every online course is structured and organized differently, depending upon the program in which you teach. There are however, some commonalities across most courses, each with its own variation. Below are some standard protocols and organizational structures that you may find in your course.

Balance of Instruction and Activities

Most courses include a balance of individual, team, and whole group activities in each weekly cycle of instruction. Typically (not always) a week begins on a Tuesday and ends on a Monday. Some courses may include teaming, while others do not. 

The three types of activities that you will most likely encounter in your course each week are described below:

Individual Activities are assignments completed independently. Examples of individual activities include readings, private reflections about the coursework, and independent assignments such as an essay. Students have a designated place to submit completed assignments which is typically the Gradebook or an individual discussion forum.

Team Activities require students to work collaboratively in a small group to accomplish a goal. Teaming is a valued component of online courses because learning takes place when teams function with high levels of effectiveness and performance. Instructors are expected to check in on teams and provide feedback on team activities.

Whole Group Activities involve the entire class, typically in a discussion forum.  In many courses, each week students are asked to contribute to discussions with classmates on a particular topic. In order to promote an extended level of dialogue, students are also asked to revisit and contribute substantive comments throughout the week to the discussion forum.  Instructors are expected to participate in whole group activities.

Course Structure and Navigation

Typically, a course uses one of three types of structure/ navigation strategies:

• Top Navigation
   
• Left-side Navigation
   
• Combination of Top and Left Side Navigation- When a combination of top and left side navigation are used, information can be distinguished in the following way:

   

  • Top Navigation includes Community Tools such as Announcements, Discussion forums, Team Spaces, and the Gradebook.
  • Left-Side Navigation includes Course Content, typically organized by the Course Overview, Resource Library, and Weekly instructions.

Work with your instructional designer if you have a preference for one type of navigation over an another.