Sample Plans for Remote Courses
Sometimes it’s helpful to see examples of what’s possible in a remote course. Here are some possible ways to structure a unit or module, following the suggested THINK ABOUT, READ/WATCH/LISTEN, DO structure that is outlined on our Learning Activities for Remote Courses page.
Please think of this list as descriptive or even speculative (describing some of the many forms a remote course might take), rather than prescriptive (indicating what you should do). They’re starting points, here to launch your own thinking.
Course #1
- modules released every two weeks
- sample module:
THINK ABOUT: a thought-provoking statement, one that is provocative (usually because it is only partially correct or limited in some way)
READ: two or three texts
WATCH: two or three recorded lectures, with embedded prompts for reflection or activity
DO: discussion board responses, in groups of no more than 30:
- one original response and one response to another student’s claims
- some questions relate to the initial thought-provoking statement, some to the recorded lecture material
- one student summarizes the discussion each week
Course #2
- modules released every week
- sample module:
THINK ABOUT: brief recorded video, introducing the module’s main questions and answering questions from previous week
READ AND WATCH: written lectures (with prompts for reflection)
DO: discussion board responses
Course #3
- modules change every two weeks
- sample modules:
Week 1 of Module:
THINK ABOUT: brief introductory video
READ: readings, with sets of key questions to answer
DO: Zoom meeting to discuss students’ responses to questions (1 hour); recorded
Week 2 of Module:
LISTEN: recorded podcast (with three or four students) on revisions to and reflections on the Zoom meeting
DO: written reflections submitted on discussion board by remaining students; students comment on each others’ writing
Course #4
- modules change every week
- sample module:
THINK ABOUT: reflective prompt to encourage thinking about current topic
READ: relevant articles
WATCH: Zoom session, recorded (and posted)
DO: breakout room discussions
DO: summary submitted of each discussion by the end of the week
Course #5
- modules change every two weeks
- sample module:
Week 1 of Module:
THINK ABOUT: reflective prompt to encourage thinking about issue covered in the module’s two-part case study
READ: a chapter or two
WATCH: brief instructional videos
DO: group response to Part 1 of a case study
Week 2 of Module:
THINK ABOUT: brief video responding to some of the salient issues in the case study and some features of a good response
READ: a chapter or article
WATCH: brief instructional videos
DO: group response to Part 2 of a case study
Course #6
- modules change every two weeks
- sample module:
THINK ABOUT: brief remarks introducing a hypothesis about the week’s topics
READ: relevant chapter
WATCH: a series of instructional videos
DO: low-stakes quizzes; students can take up to two times; no responses returned; highest grade accepted
WATCH: lab demonstration
DO: students problem-solve some of the lab demonstration challenges; give students results of lab to interpret
Course Title:
Learning Goals:
By participating in this course, students will
Module 1:
Learning goals:
By participating in this module, students will
Learning activities:
THINK ABOUT:
READ / WATCH / LISTEN:
DO:
Module 2:
Learning goals:
By participating in this module, students will
Learning activities:
THINK ABOUT:
READ / WATCH / LISTEN:
DO:
Written by: Joel Baetz
Last Updated: 19 August 2020