Module Design

By Stephanie Rincon, Instructional Designer and Jessica Saenz, Instructional Designer

Where do you start when you need to build a module for your online course? Do you look to objectives? Review course content and other materials? Do you consider how you want your online students to learn? Designing a plan for your learning modules can be effective in how you create and present content to your online students.

This article will cover module design, writing module objectives, elements of learning methods to integrate into modules, using Blackboard tools, and the connections between module design and impacts on online students' experiences and overall successful learning.

Module Design
Taking the time to structure learning modules is important because it provides an opportunity to consider how learning objectives and course content work together to help you create an effective module design.

To help you develop a module structure, eLearning has developed a Module Design Plan. The plan provides you a space to write module overviews and to begin outlining in detail the specific module objectives. These objectives should be measurable and valuable so your online students can be successful in your online course. These measurable objectives also provide a way to include best practices for online learning, which will strengthen your online course overall.

The second part of the Module Design Plan includes four areas: Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction, assignment information and description, and linking those assignments to the module objectives. This part of the plan allows you to really develop and plan out your content and how you want your online students to learn. Each of these areas has you focus on a specific element that ultimately helps you put your plan into action.

Module Structure & Organization
Once you have completed your Module Design Plan, it is time to place this information into an online format. In your course menu (left-hand navigation area), you will notice a Course Content area where you will find a Learning Modules (or Units) link. Think of this Course Content area as a placeholder for faculty to drop in their course material and assignments that was developed with the Module Design Plan.

Also, please keep student navigation in mind. It is best to have one area for students to access course material. Otherwise, students will constantly roam from one folder or area of the course menu to access course material. This will make it less likely for students to be engaged or continue interacting with the course material throughout the semester.

So, as the Learning Modules link is being developed, let's focus on:

• Module organization and integration of course materials.
  • How should we organize course materials (lecture material, learning activities and assessments)?
  • Is it a simple or complex module? If it is a complex unit, should there be sub-units to help breakdown course materials?
• How should the module be designed in order to provide the best student navigation?

Module organization and integration of course materials will allow students to navigate the course with ease and be willing to engage in this structured learning environment throughout the semester. We also want to be consistent with design, so students know where to find course material, and what instructor expectations are throughout the course.

As noted in the image above, students are aware that Unit 1 contains three sub-units with short descriptive titles. When they enter the Unit 1 folder, they are then introduced to the course material for this section.

Listed in the image below are some of the recommended items from the Module Design Plan:

• Module title: Sometimes this can be a chapter or unit title.
• Module introduction: This can be written, or you may create a video.
• Module objectives: What will students achieve by the end of this module?
• Optional: List the learning activities and assessments, and your late policy.

This initial introduction will provide students a quick overview of the module and your expectations. Next, we can focus on the module organization.

Based on your Module Design Plan, you will now place your course material in an organized manner. If your module is complex and contains a large amount of information, consider creating smaller units to break down the information.

Why break down the course material into sub-units? This way there is not one general folder for lectures, reading material, learning activities and assessments. Instead, the sub-unit provides everyone better structure and organization. Students will know what lecture material, learning activities and assessments relate to each other.

As we take a closer look within a sub-unit, take note of the course material. The lecture video is followed by learning activities and assessments. Students will naturally follow the order of this sub-unit.

By organizing and integrating course materials for all module folders and sub-units, you begin to train your students on what to expect for each section. Most importantly, it helps to create a structured and consistent design throughout the course, and therefore, a stronger online learning environment.

How does your module structure and organization impact students?
Taking the time to structure and organize a module impacts online student success. There are three areas to keep in mind as you create your module navigation, engagement and audience.

• Student navigation: By being consistent with the design (structure and organization), you will be creating an effective learning environment! This will help students become more confident and willing to engage in the course on a regular basis and become familiar with faculty expectations.
• Student engagement: Presence and interaction can be seen in each of Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction represented in this module. Ask yourself, are Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction represented throughout the module? If so, then students will be able to interact with the content, each other, and the instructor regularly, and this is necessary for online instruction.
• Students are your audience: The reason for the structure and organization of the module is for your students!