Creating and Implementing Online Courses

Syllabus
COURSE OVERVIEW
Description
This course will give participants powerful tools to create and implement online courses for students. Using the ADDIE model for
instructional design, you will first analyze (A) students, stakeholders, and objectives by writing a learner story. You will then design
(D) a course outline and hybrid module framework. You will also develop (D) different learning assets, including formative
assessments and a video script. Finally, you will create an action plan to demonstrate how you intend to implement (I) and evaluate
(E) the online English language course you develop.

Learning Objectives and Learner Outcomes

The main outcome of the course is to have participants apply tools and strategies for creating and delivering online courses in their
contexts.
Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
● identify best practices of online course design;
● create course objectives and a learner story based on a needs analysis of the teaching context;
● design a course outline and hybrid module framework based on a learner story and course objectives;
● develop appropriate formative assessments for an online course;
● use multimedia principles for online course design to develop learnings assets;
● explain the process and tools used for course evaluation;
● cascade new knowledge with peers in teaching context.

Expectations and Grading

The course runs for 8 weeks. Modules open on Tuesdays at 12:01am and assignments are due on the following Monday at 11:59 PM
EST (Eastern Standard Time) each week (please convert these times to your time zone). You can expect to spend approximately 8 to
10 hours each week preparing for and actively participating in this course. Course materials are also available as a downloadable PDF
packet each week for participants who want to work offline part of the time.

Grades are available at all times in Canvas, and for each activity or assignment, you will be able to read about how you will be
graded. A score of 70% or higher is required to pass the course. Participants who satisfactorily complete at least 70% of coursework
within the time frame of the course will receive a certificate of achievement.

Your final grade is based on the following weighted activities and assignments:
1. Input (15%). The input for this course includes videos and readings. Each week, you should watch the assigned videos and
read the assigned readings. You will then check your understanding of key ideas and concepts from the videos and
readings through Check for Understanding quizzes.
2. Discussion posts (20%). You will answer questions on discussion boards that will help you to begin to think about the
topics. Other discussion board posts will help you to reflect on and share what you have learned. You will also be replying
to your peers’ posts to increase interaction and build community.
3. End-of-module assignments (35%). At the end of each module, you will show your understanding of the module’s content
by developing a key part of the online course you are creating.

© 2021 by Arizona State University. Creating and Implementing Online Courses Syllabus for the Online
Professional English Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided
by the U.S. government and administered by FHI 360. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 1
Attribution 4.0 License, except where noted. To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 4. Final Action Plan (30%). As a final assignment for this course, you will create and submit a Final Action Plan that includes
the next steps you will take for a successful implementation of your online course.
Late or Missed Assignments
Notify the instructor before an assignment is due if you have an emergency and will not be able to submit the assignment on time.
Please note that 1 point will be deducted for each day an end-of-module assignment is late up to a maximum of 5 points (this policy
is for the end-of-module assignments only, that is, the tasks asking you to complete the templates).

Saving and Submitting Assignments

Save all of your work in each module because you might need it for the next module or for the Final Action Plan. All assignments
must be submitted in Canvas. Do not submit an assignment via email.

Student Conduct
Appropriate online behavior (also known as netiquette) is defined by the instructor and includes keeping course discussion posts
focused on the assigned topics. Students must maintain a professional atmosphere and be polite in expressing differences of
opinion. Inappropriate discussion board posts may be deleted by the instructor.

Student Success
This is an online course. To be successful:
● check the course often;
● read announcements;
● complete assignments by the due dates;
● communicate regularly with your instructor and peers;
● create an assignment schedule to stay on track.

Course Policies
Communicating with the Program
It is your responsibility to communicate with your instructor and the OPEN Program about questions or issues that
prevent you from participating in the course.
● If you have questions about completing assignments, you must contact your instructor through Canvas.
● If you have technical issues with the course, submit your question using the form on the course Home
page.
● If you cannot participate in the course due to extenuating circumstances such as a health problem, heavy
workload, or any other reason you must contact [email protected], AND your instructor, AND your
U.S. Embassy nominating point-of-contact as soon as the situation occurs. Do not wait until after the
situation is over.

Inactive Participants Forced Audit Policy

Participants who have been inactive as of the end of the fourth week of the course and who have not communicated
with the program will be placed in “Audit” status. In “Audit” status, you can still interact with the course, but you will
not receive instructor support or feedback, and you will not be eligible for a certificate.

Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete a course for any reason, at any time, you must notify FHI 360 and the U.S. Embassy
as soon as possible, explaining why you cannot complete the course. Withdrawal requests will be considered on a
case-by-case basis, and participants may still be eligible for participation in future courses if extenuating circumstances
exist.

Participants whose withdrawal requests do not meet the criteria of extenuating circumstances may not be eligible to
participate in the program in the future. Future eligibility is determined by the nominating U.S. Embassy.

2
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using someone else’s words instead of your own. In this course, you are expected to use your own words
and ideas, and to acknowledge any sources you use to gather ideas. Plagiarism is not allowed in OPEN courses.

OPEN instructors are required to report incidents of plagiarism to FHI 360. FHI 360 will notify U.S. Embassy nominators
when reports are received.

First Report: FHI 360 will contact the participant with resources about plagiarism and how to avoid it.
Second Report: FHI 360 will notify the nominating U.S. Embassy and will warn the participant that they will
automatically be withdrawn from the course if a third report is received.
Third Report: The participant will be removed from the course. The participant may not be eligible to
participate in the program in the future.

Technical Support
For technical support related to the course, please submit a request using the form on the course homepage. If you
cannot access the form on the course homepage, please submit a request to opensupport@fhi360.

3
COURSE SCHEDULE

Module Topic Learning Objectives Resources Activities and Assignments Time Required

1 Analyze: ● Describe the process ● Module 1 Downloadable Packet ● 1.1 Building Community Discussion (25-30 8-10 hours
Introduction to and tools used for doing ● Overview of Instructional Design Video (with minutes)
Instructional a needs analysis transcript) ● 1.2 Course Pre-Test and Course Needs Survey (40-
Design, Needs ● Needs Analysis and Tools Reading 60 minutes)
Analysis and ● Needs Analysis Survey Example PDF ● 1.3b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
Course Design minutes)
● 1.4c Analyze Your Students (30-60 minutes)

● Create a learner story ● Analyze Data to Create a Learner Story Video ● 1.5c Create Your Learner Story (1 hour-1.5 hours)
based on a needs (with transcript)
analysis ● Learner Story Examples Reading
● Write 2-4 course ● Course Objectives Reading ● 1.6d Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
objectives following minutes
SMART criteria ● 1.7 Learner Story and Course Objectives
Assignment (1 hour-1.5 hours)

2 Design: Course ● Cascade new ● Module 2 Downloadable Packet ● 2.1b Cascading New Knowledge Discussion (25-30 8-10 hours
Outline knowledge by sharing ● Cascading New Knowledge Reading minutes)
with a peer
● Describe the parts of a ● Designing a Course Outline Video (with ● 2.2b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
course outline transcript) minutes)
● Course Outline Reading ● 2.3b Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
minutes)
● 2.4 Course Outline Discussion (30-45 minutes)
● Design a course outline ● Designing Your Own Course Outline Video ● 2.6 Analyze and Reflect on Course Outline (30-45
(with transcript) minutes)
● Course Outline Example PDF ● 2.7 Course Outline Assignment (50 minutes to 2
hours)

3 Design: Module ● Describe the parts of a ● Module 3 Downloadable Packet ● 3.1 Common Classroom Activities Discussion (30- 8-10 hours
Framework module framework 45 minutes

4
 ● Designing a Module Framework Video (with ● 3.2b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
transcript) minutes)
● Module Framework Reading ● 3.3b Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
minutes)
● Cascade new ● 3.4 Module Framework Discussion (30-45
knowledge by sharing minutes)
with a peer
● Design a module ● Designing Your Own Module Framework ● 3.6 Analyze and Reflect on Module Framework
framework Video (with transcript) (30-45 minutes)
● Module Framework Example PDF ● 3.7 Module Framework Assignment (50 minutes
to 2 hours)

4 Design: Hybrid ● Define hybrid design, ● Module 4 Downloadable Packet ● 4.1 Learning and Teaching Online Discussion (30- 8-10 hours
Module and asynchronous and ● Introduction to Hybrid Design Video (with 45 minutes)
Framework synchronous learning transcript) ● 4.2b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
minutes)
● Describe the basic parts ● Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning ● 4.3b Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
of a hybrid design Assets Reading minutes)
model
● Cascade new ● 4.4 Hybrid Module Framework Discussion (30-45
knowledge with a peer minutes)
● Design a hybrid module ● Designing Your Own Hybrid Module ● 4.6 Analyze and Reflect on Hybrid Module
framework Framework Video (with transcript) Framework (30-45 minutes)
● Hybrid Module Framework Example PDF ● 4.7 Hybrid Module Framework Assignment (50
minutes to 2 hours)

5 Develop: Course ● Define formative and ● Module 5 Downloadable Packet ● 5.1 Common Assessments Discussion (30-45 8-10 hours
Assessments summative assessment ● Types of Assessment Video (with transcript) minutes)
● 5.2b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
minutes)
● Identify major ● Summative and Formative Assessment ● 5.3d Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
differences between Reading minutes)
formative and
summative assessment

5
 ● Cascade new ● 5.4 Module Framework Discussion (30-45
knowledge by sharing minutes)
with a peer
● Develop formative ● Developing Your Own Formative Assessments ● 5.6 Analyze and Reflect on Formative
assessments for the Video (with transcript) Assessments (30-45 minutes)
online environment ● Formative Assessment Examples PDF ● 5.7 Formative Assessments Assignment (50
minutes to 2 hours)

6 Develop: ● Identify multimedia ● Module 6 Downloadable Packet ● 6.1 Videos for Teaching and Learning Discussion 8-10 hours
Learning Asset principles in online ● Multimedia Principles for Online Course (30-45 minutes)
course design Design Video (with transcript) ● 6.2d Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
● 10 Multimedia Principles for Developing minutes)
Online Learning Assets Infographic PDF
● Cascade new ● 6.3 Learning Asset Discussion (30-45 minutes)
knowledge by sharing
with a peer
● Recognize how ● Developing Learning Assets Reading ● 6.4c Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
multimedia principles minutes)
work in developing
videos, readings, and
other learning assets
● Develop a learning asset ● Developing Your Own Video Script Video (with ● 6.6 Analyze and Reflect on Video Script (30-45
(video script) using transcript) minutes)
multimedia principles ● Learning Asset Example PDF ● 6.7 Learning Asset - Video Script Assignment (50
minutes to 2 hours)

7 Implement: ● Identify useful ways to ● Module 7 Downloadable Packet ● 7.1 Traditional and Online Tools Discussion (30-45 8-10 hours
Online Tools introduce and engage ● Online Course Implementation Video (with minutes)
students in transcript) ● 7.2b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
implementing your minutes)
online course
● Define the ● Characteristics of Online Tools for ● 7.3c Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
characteristics of an Implementation Reading minutes)
effective online tool for
asynchronous and
synchronous learning

6
 ● Cascade new ● 7.4 Online Tools Discussion (30-45 minutes)
knowledge by sharing
with a peer
● Submit a review of an ● Reviewing Online Tools for Implementation ● 7.6 Analyze and Reflect on Online Tools (30-45
online tool to be used in Video (with transcript) minutes)
your hybrid module ● Online Tool Review Example PDF ● 7.7 Online Tool Review Assignment (50 minutes to
framework 2 hours)

8 Evaluate: Online ● Recognize the reasons ● Module 8 Downloadable Packet ● 8.1 Course Evaluation Discussion (30-45 minutes) 8-10 hours
Course for course evaluation ● Introduction to Online Course Evaluation ● 8.2b Check for Understanding of Video (15-25
Evaluation and Video (with transcript) minutes)
Final Action Plan ● Describe the process ● Online Course Evaluation Tools Reading ● 8.3c Check for Understanding of Reading (15-25
and tools for online minutes)
course evaluation
● Cascade new ● 8.4 Create an Online Course Evaluation Plan (30-
knowledge by sharing 45 minutes)
with a peer
● Submit a final action ● Creating a Final Action Plan Reading ● 8.6 Final Action Plan Assignment (50 minutes-2
plan for creating and ● Final Action Plan Example PDF hours)
implementing your ● 8.8 Course Post-Test
online course