Preparing a Course Map with learning objectives, topics, assessments, potential resources and resource needs, and other identified information is useful in the early stages of course planning. It allows the design team and the academic department to have a clear idea of what components the final course will be include. Later, it can also serve as the basis for the syllabus for the course.
There are a number of working parts involved in planning an online course, so organizing your thoughts in one central place can be a very valuable activity. It may also help you to brainstorm ideas and ensure that you don't forget about anything important once you begin creating your content.
We recommend organizing your course into 12 lessons or modules, even during the 15-week fall and spring semesters. Though you should still include content for 15 weeks of work, the 12-lesson structure allows for extra flexibility in case you have exams, travel, etc. The 12-lesson structure also allows courses to be taught in the summer without the need for redesigning and reworking content.
Each lesson (main topic) is then broken into relevant sections or sub-topics to cover necessary material. Major assessments, such as mid-terms, finals, and milestones in a semester-long project, can be scheduled within or between lessons. After completing the Course Map, you should have all of the information that you need to create your course syllabus.
A Course Map typically includes the following elements for each lesson:
- Lesson number and title
- Lesson-specific learning objectives (i.e., what should students know or be able to do by the end of the lesson?)
- Method by which each objective will be assessed (i.e., how will you and/or the student be able to tell if the objective has been reached?)
- Indication of how each assessment/activity will, or will not, be factored into the student's grade
- Lesson topics to be addressed
- Content development resources(s) (e.g., Powerpoint presentation, recorded lecture, external website, textbook, article)
- Multimedia and/or programming needs (e.g., graphics, video, simulation)
- Reading/viewing/listening assignments
There are numerous tools that can be used to create Course Maps, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, and Canva. Your learning designer will work with you to determine which tool works best for your project. Here are some examples and resources:
- GEOG 581 Course Blueprint (map) created in Microsoft Excel (there is also a Microsoft Excel template available)
- Course Map template for Canva (does not include learning objectives, as those are captured in a separate document)
- EME 504 Board created in Microsoft Visio (does not include learning objectives, as those are captured in a separate document)