Getting Started with Blackboard Course Design

Developing your Blackboard course section could be an overwhelming experience. However, if you are intentional in your design, the development process will become more natural and your students will also benefit from the layout of a consistent and well thought out course. Below are some best practices to help you consider your course design and get you going in your course development.

• Be consistent with organizing content and course activities
  
  Review the content for the course and map the consistent styles of content that will be used each week. This will help form a template for each module that can remain consistent throughout the term. This will help with your organization of the course and assist in planning what needs to be developed each week. 

  This consistent layout also helps with reducing confusion experienced by students since they will become comfortable in the course environment after just the first week of the term. Consistent layouts also help in setting up a schedule and develop a routine for completing content and activities.

• Create session activity checklists
  
  Activity checklists act as the roadmap for each module and keep participants on task. It’s great to use a checklist type format since they can mark the completion of activities and see their progress as they go through the module. The checklist can also include due dates, the content to review and which activities need to be completed. Reminders of upcoming due dates can also be added to the end of the checklist.

  The checklists don’t have to be fancy. A simple Microsoft Word document will work just fine. Students are able to see or print out this document and track their progress through the week. It’s also helpful for instructors since they can use it to make sure everything is set up and covered for the week.

  
  
  
• Develop Engagement Guidelines
  
  Engagement guidelines can be included in the syllabus or be a separate document which list the expectations you have of the participants in the course. Engagement guidelines can include; due dates for discussion or reflection based activities, the schedule and types of interactions you hope to have in synchronous sessions, the tone of reflection/discussion posts (casual discussion vs. formal posts), the type of participation students can expect from the instructor throughout the course, and response times students can expect from the instructor when awaiting replies to questions.
  
  
• Record a course orientation
  

  The orientation can be a screen recorded video or written user guide that walks students through the consistent layout. Make it explicit that by going through the orientation, they now know where to find all of their material for the rest of the class.

  
  
  
• Send a welcome letter/video
  
  The start of the course is also a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to the class. Give more insight to your background, expertise, hopes for the course and other general information about yourself to ignite the development of the learning community. Are there specific activities or content you would like students to complete first? The welcome letter is a great place to add in these starting points for the class.
  
  
• Post an Ask the Class forum
  
  Create a forum where students can post their questions. This cuts back on the amount of emails, many of which might be the same question, and allows for students to also reply resolutions and work-around to answer questions.
  
  
• Start with an ice breaker activity
  
  Start with a low stakes assignment that gets student familiar with the discussion tool as well as their classmates. Make the icebreaker fun and be sure it’s more than “tell me more about yourself.” Give the icebreaker a purpose, such as tying the activity to the course, asking what they hope to get out of the class, and their main interests in the course topics.

Additional Resources

Customizing your Course Menu

Creating Course Content and Content Areas