Phase 2: Course Building

Content Start

During Phase 2, you'll focus on creating the web pages for your course and loading them into NAU's course management system. You'll also configure the course management system with your preferred settings for any tools—such as discussions, assignments, assessments, or the grade book—that you've decided to use. We offer several workshops to give you the technical skills necessary for this phase. Phase 2 will go more smoothly if you've finished all of the steps in Phase 1.

When you’ve finished developing your course, we recommend that you review it by using our Teaching Checklist. If you would like us to review the completed course for you or with you, contact your instructional technologist to request a review. Be sure to submit your request at least 1 month before the course begins.

Below is a suggested timetable and task list for Phase 2. You have some flexibility in the order in which you take the workshops.

Phase 2: Course Building

Month 4 Month 5 Month 6
  • Enroll in the following workshops:
    • Organizing Content in Bb Vista & Building Content Lab
    • Bb Vista Assignments & Bb Vista Assignments Lab
    • Bb Vista Assessments & Bb Vista Assessments Lab
    • Respondus (if you will be creating quizzes or exams)
  • Convert your course content to web pages.
  • Build your course framework in Bb Vista.
  • Write detailed instructions for all activities and assignments in your course.
  • Write your quizzes and exams, if you’re using them in your course.
  • Review proofs and prototypes of graphics and media.
  • Schedule a consultation with your library resource specialist to add your reserve readings and resources to your course.
  • Enroll in the following workshops:
    • Bb Vista Communication & Bb Vista Communication Lab
    • Bb Vista: Teaching in Bb Vista
  • Create your discussion topics in Bb Vista, if you’re using discussions in your course.
  • Create your course calendar in Bb Vista.
  • Set up your grade book in Bb Vista.
  • Proofread all of your course material in Bb Vista.
  • Schedule a consultation with your instructional technologist to add final graphics and media to your course.
  • Enroll in the following workshops:
    • Bb Vista: Managing Your Course
  • Configure course dates in Bb Vista if you want to make certain course materials available to students on certain dates.
  • If you would like the e-Learning Center to review your course using the Quality Checklist, submit your request to your instructional technologist at least one month before your course begins.
  • Revise your course according to results of the Quality Checklist review.

CD-ROM Distribution of Course Materials

If you decide to put any of your course materials onto a CD-ROM for distribution to your students, we will create a master CD for you. You are then responsible for getting the master duplicated and distributed to the NAU bookstore. We can point you to resources to assist you with this task. You'll need to have all the materials for the CD completed no later than the middle of Month 5 to allow enough time for the CD duplication and distribution to the NAU Bookstore.

If you want to include someone else's copyrighted materials on the CD, you must have written permission from the copyright holder.