Creating an Online Course

Creating an Online Course

In Week four, you created a CourseSites account and began to explore this tool. This week you will begin to create a course. If you recall, last week you created a delivery plan for a blended course. This week, you will start to put that plan into action and create the online component of your blended course. Perform the following tasks:

Step 1: Create a Course.

Sign into your CourseSites account and create a new course. Give your course a name that reflects the course you began to outline in Week 4.

Step 2: Customize your Homepage.

Enter your course and after making sure the “Edit mode” is on, click the Customize Page link. Select a theme to apply to your course. You may also rearrange the elements on your home page to create a layout that you feel would be suitable for your course.

Step 3: Create a Welcome Announcement.

Next, create a welcome announcement. This will be the first thing that your students should see upon entering the course.  

Step 4: Create a Course Description.

While in edit mode and on the Homepage, add a “Content Area” and label it “Course Description.” To review how this is done, view the “Modifying the Course Menu” video within the “Getting Started with CourseSites” training under “Build.”

You will see a Course Description link appear in the main menu along the left. While on that page, click “Build Content” and Create “Item.” Label it Course Description and within the text box provide a full description of your course. Things you might include would be the main topics students will cover, learning objectives, and skills students will develop.

Finally move the Course Description page so that it is under the Home page along the left in the main menu.

Step 5: Add your Instructor to the Course and Submit your Assignment.

Before submitting this assignment, you will need to add your Instructor as a student to your course so that they are able to access the course. To add your Instructor (or any user) go into your course and under Control Panel click on “Users and Groups.” Then click on “Users.” Next, click on the “Invite” drop down and select “Users.” Finally enter you instructors email address and send them the invite. To review how this is done, view the “Create of Invite Students” area within the “Getting Started with CourseSites” training under “Facilitate.”

When submitting the assignment, create an appropriate title page that includes the link to your CourseSite course.