Organize Materials in Your Course Site Using Modules

Organize Materials in Your Course Site Using Modules

Creating a pattern of weekly tasks allows students to plan ahead and stay organized in your course. As you plan discussions, quizzes, and assignments, make sure they follow a pattern. Indicate on your syllabus or course page any departure from the established patterns. Consistency in course design is a component of the universal instructional design to meet the needs of all learners (Palmer et al., 2003). In addition to the bCourses Pages layout, provide organization through a modular learning pathway. bCourses Modules enable you to group content (i.e., assignments, files, external links, external tools, pages, quizzes, written text headers) according to weekly or other units of study.

In the Core Template

There are already two modules populated in the template: Orientation and Week 1. The Orientation module includes information about how to use bCourses (Canvas), an academic premise and corresponding student pledge (quiz), instructor and GSI information page, and a discussion assignment for student introductions. Students must complete the Orientation module before moving on to Week 1 because it is a prerequisite established in the Modules settings. Modules allow you to ‘gate’ students’ entry into other modules through prerequisite tasks or date restrictions; select the vertical 3-dot icon for settings and then Edit from the drop-down menu.

How to Create Modules in bCourses

First, select the Modules tool from the navigation bar. Next, select the +Modules button.

Add a title, prerequisites, and date restrictions, as needed, to the pop-up window. Date-restricting modules provides students with the release date message when the module is selected, which is better than an access denied message they would receive if the instructor has yet to publish it.

Then, select the plus sign on the grey module header bar to add corresponding content/tasks or create new ones. Drag-and-drop content within and between modules if you change your mind as to where the content or task should go; you can even move modules around. Save before closing.

Resources

Canvas Guide

• What are Modules?
• How do I add a module?
• How do I add course content as module items?

Remote Instruction Guide

• Module 1: Use Modules to create consistent navigation throughout your bCourses site

Reference

Palmer, J., & Caputo, A. (2003). Universal instructional design: Implementation guide. University of Guelph.