Summary

In this chapter, the solutions focused on developing a template you can use again, which is also your design document. As you start to build the structure of the course, you will focus on making your course easier to navigate. The goal of all these solutions is to reduce the time and effort your students spend figuring out what to do next, so that they can get on with learning. Topic 0 is useful for introductory information and for keeping students up-to-date with current announcements. Moving blocks to the main course area eliminates the sidebars and frees space for course content. An online syllabus with e-mail reminders helps keep your students on schedule. Incorporating activities that motivate students is important and they can range from awarding certificates and badges, to involving students in interactive web conferences and webinars.

Sometimes, reducing the effort the students need to make in order to navigate through your course requires a great deal of effort on your part...