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