This document is intended as a course module template. It was developed in spring 2024. Text in [red colour] should be replaced.
[Course CODE: Title] #
Introduction #
[Add context to introduce course overall as applicable/available]
Module Overview #
[Provide context to introduce the individual module or situate the learning within the course; just use “Overview” if no course introduction.]
Topics #
Module [#] will cover the following topics:
[Bulleted list of noun phrases re: content to be covered]
- Topic 1/1.1: Principles of…
- Topic 2/1.2: Alternative Concepts of…
- Topic 3/1.3: Policy and Qualitative Characteristics of…
Learning Objectives #
After you complete this module, you will be able to:
[Bulleted list of actions starting with simple verbs re: outcomes of learning. End each sentence with a period.]
- Describe/list/explain the…
- Calculate the…
Activity Checklist #
You will benefit from completing the following learning activities in this module:
[Bulleted list of learning activities found in the module]
- Activity 1: Reading
- Activity 2: Video
- Activity 3: Case Study
Assessments #
Option 1: There are no graded assessments for Module [#].
Option 2: Module [#] includes the following assessments:
[Bulleted list of assessments with Assessment [#]: Title or Topic (?%)]
Resources #
You will use the following resources in this module:
[Bulleted list of all resources found in this module. Provide full citation if possible.]
- Article: Hyperlinked Title (Name, Year)
- Webpage: Hyperlinked Title (Name, Year)
- Video: Hyperlinked Title (Name, Year)
- PowerPoint: Hyperlinked Title (Name, Year)
Topic 1/1.1: [Title] #
[Learning content]
Activity 1: [Title] #
Introduction #
[Background details, description, and/or purpose as applicable/available]
Instructions #
[Actions starting with simple verbs re: what to do as applicable/available]
Read/watch/complete the following…
Activity 2: [Title] #
[Repeat as necessary]
Topic 2/1.2: [Title] #
[Learning content]
Learning Activities #
Activity 3: [Title] #
Introduction #
[Background details, description, and/or purpose as applicable/available]
Instructions #
[Actions starting with simple verbs re: what to do as applicable/available]
Read/watch/complete the following…
Summary #
[Recap of module as applicable/available]
Assessment [#]: Title (?%) #
[Add mini description or link to full description.]
References/Works Cited #
[Provide full citations, if possible, for all items with in-text citations.]
Learning Activities: Sample Wording #
Readings #
Activity [#]: [Title or Purpose]
Introduction
[Provide context for the reading: What, how, why, and who?]
Instructions
Read the following:
- “[Title]” ([Author], [date])
[Provide reflective questions related to the reading: now that students have read it, what are they to do with it?]
Case Studies #
Case Study [#]: [Title]
Introduction
[Provide context for the case study: What, how, why, and who?]
This case study is about [add detail]. It has been provided to help you [add detail]. Read the case study and follow the instructions provided.
Case Study
[Try to include diverse names and avoid binary language.]
Instructions
Complete the following:
[Add topics to be considered, notetaking, and other actions to be completed by students, and questions they should answer]
Practice Exam (Ungraded) #
[Practice Exams should reflect as closely as possible the format, question types, and range of content students will encounter in the Final Exam.]
This Practice Exam is ungraded. It is provided to help you review the course materials and identify any areas you may need to study more in preparation for the graded Final Exam.
Complete the Practice Exam without help or use of your textbook and notes. You can complete the Practice Exam as many times as needed.
After you complete the Practice Exam, use the Answer Key provided to check your understanding. Remember to review the course content related to any questions you got wrong. Consult your Open Learning Faculty Member if you need help understanding a particular topic. You can also use the Student Café to communicate with other students who might be taking the course at the same time as you.
Self-Quiz (Ungraded) #
[Indicate how this quiz is intended to function, i.e., using the Moodle quiz tool, as an H5P activity, a list of questions followed by an answer key, etc.]
This Self-Quiz is ungraded. It is provided to help you review the course materials and prepare for the [graded assessments or Final Exam].
Complete the Self-Quiz without help or use of your textbook and notes. You can complete the Self-Quiz as many times as needed.
After you complete the Self-Quiz, use the Answer Key provided to check your understanding. Remember to review the course content related to any questions you got wrong. Consult your Open Learning Faculty Member if you need help understanding a particular topic. You can also use the Student Café to communicate with other students who might be taking the course at the same time as you.
Videos #
Activity [#]: [Title or Purpose]
Introduction
[Provide context for the video: What, how, why, and who?]
Instructions
Watch the following video:
[Video URL]
[Title] [00:00]
([Author], [Date])
[Provide reflective questions related to the video: now that students have watched it, what are they to do with it? Consider accessibility captions or transcripts if available. Provide full citation if possible.]
Key Terminology Lists #
The following terms are key to understanding this topic. Look up definitions for each term. [Add instructions such as referring to the textbook or searching online.] To help yourself remember the terms, you may want to write down the definitions in your Learning Journal:
- [List terms in bullet format]
[Include Answer Key, if appropriate]
Assessments: Checklist #
All course assessments must have:
- Full title that includes both assessment type and topic (e.g., Quiz 2: Verbs and Adverbs).
- Course weight expressed in percentage value (e.g., 10%).
- An Introduction section for context (i.e., what/why) and an Instructions section for direction (i.e., how/where).
- Total marks for all parts expressed as a whole number (e.g., 100 marks overall).
- Mark allocation for each component/question (e.g., 10 marks) that add up to the total.
- Grading criteria with corresponding mark allocations for students, if applicable; otherwise, answer key for OLFM.
Additional considerations and sample wording for specific assessments follow.
- Quizzes, Calculation-Based Assignments, Exams
- Identify modules/topics covered (e.g., based on Modules 1 and 2).
- If divided into multiple parts, label each part (e.g., Part II: Multiple-Choice Questions).
- List the associated value for each part (e.g., 10 marks).
- List marks per question, if applicable (e.g., each correct response is worth 2 marks).
- Provide simple and straightforward instructions for each part or question (e.g., solve for x; select the best response for each of the following questions).
- Identify permitted resources (e.g., open book; non-programmable calculator).
- Identify non-permitted resources (e.g., closed book; programmable calculator).
- Include a reminder for required details (e.g., show your work).
- Include time limit, as applicable (e.g., 3 hours).
- Include number of attempts allowed (e.g., one attempt).
- Identify for Production how many questions are to be randomly selected, if applicable (e.g., randomly select 10 of the following 30 questions; randomize the order of the following questions).
- Short-Answer, Long-Answer, Essay Assignments
- Include total word-count or page-range limit for each component (e.g., 500–750 words;
8–10 double-spaced pages).
- Specify citation style required (e.g., MLA, APA 7th edition).
- Include resource link for citation style required (e.g., TRU Library: APA 7th edition Citation Style Guide).
- Detail any specific requirement outside of citation style (e.g., use Arial or Calibri; use 12-point font).
- Provide example or template if strict table formatting is necessary (e.g., accounting).
- Include total word-count or page-range limit for each component (e.g., 500–750 words;
- DiscussionsInclude title of discussion forum (e.g., “Glossary of Terms”).Identify purpose of required comment (e.g., connect to policy; share an example).Identify the audience of required comment (e.g., students from this class only).Indicate whether follow-up comments are required (e.g., respond to three posts).Provide preferred resource for netiquette/guidelines (e.g., link to OL Student Guide).Identify any specific timeframe that applies (e.g., before starting Module 3).Include suggested word range (e.g., 50–100 words in length).
- Final Project, Non-Standard AssignmentProvide step-by-step instructions (e.g., find an article and identify its bias).Provide clear examples of successful approaches (e.g., see these case studies).If pre-approval of the topic by the OLFM is required, include details of the approval process (e.g., date, format). If the proposal/approval is a stand-alone assignment, approval need not be mentioned here.
Assessments: Sample Wording #
Assignment: #
Assignment [#]: [Title] (?%)
Introduction
This assignment covers material from [relevant Modules/Topics, etc.].
[Brief introduction to the assignment, including its purpose and relevance to the course.]
Instructions
[Clear, simple directions on how students should approach the assignment, and specific requirements. If the assignment comprises multiple parts, include appropriate headers and possible marks, e.g., Part A: Introduction and Thesis (20 marks)]
TRU Library and the Writing Centre have several resources to help you successfully complete your assignments.
Length limit: [Word count or page-length limit, or other appropriate limit such as video or audio duration]
Citation style: [citation style]. (See [resource link] for information on citing references.)
Other requirements: [include any relevant information for formatting, file type, section labelling, or other requirements]
Submit this assignment when you have completed [Module #]. Note that non-completion of an assignment will result in a mark of zero for that assignment.
Assessment
This assignment is worth (?%) of the total course grade and will be marked out of [#] marks as follows:
[Insert table with grading criteria; the following is just one example:]
Grading Criteria
| Criterion | Description | Marks |
| Content | Depth of analysis, relevance of arguments | 8 |
| Organization | Clarity of structure, logical flow | 4 |
| Writing style | Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure | 3 |
| Critical thinking | Originality of ideas, insight | 3 |
| Citations and sources | Appropriateness of sources, citation accuracy | 2 |
| Total Marks | 20 |
Exam: #
Final Exam [Course CODE]: [Course Title]
[Any relevant notes for production, e.g., randomly select 10 (of 30) of the multiple-choice questions in Part A for inclusion on the exam.]
Introduction
This exam consists of [number of parts, types of questions]. It is marked out of [#] marks and is worth (?%) of your total course mark.
Time limit: You have [#] hours to complete this exam.
Materials permitted: This is [a closed book / open book] exam. You are permitted [list any allowed or required materials, resources, or specify no outside materials allowed].
[If the exam comprises multiple parts, include appropriate headers and associated marks, e.g., Part A: Multiple-Choice Questions (60 marks total)]
Instructions
[Clear, simple instructions. List marks per question, if applicable (e.g., each correct response is worth 2 marks).]
Discussion: #
Discussion [#]: [Topic]
Introduction
This discussion is related to material from [Module #].
[Brief introduction to the discussion, including its purpose and relevance to the course.]
Instructions
[Clear, simple directions on how students should approach the discussion and specific requirements, including whether follow-up comments are required, e.g., respond to three posts.]
Students from [relevant audience, e.g., this course only] will be able to read and respond to your posts. Consult the Open Learning Student Guide for guidelines and policies about online etiquette.
Suggested word range: [word or page limit]
Other requirements: [other requirements]
Contribute to this discussion [at the end of/during/before starting Module #].
Final Project: #
Final Project: [Title] (?%)
Introduction
This mandatory Final Project covers material from [Modules # – #]. It is worth (?%) of your total course grade.
[Brief introduction to the project, including its purpose and relevance to the course.]
Instructions
[Clear, simple directions on how students should approach the project and specific requirements. If the Final Project comprises multiple parts, include appropriate headers and associated marks, e.g., Part A: Annotated Bibliography (20 marks).]
Length limit: [total word count or page limit, OR other appropriate limits such as duration for the media]
Citation style: [citation style]. (See [resource link] for information on citing references.)
Other requirements: [Provide instructions, if needed, for formatting, labelling, document or file type, etc.]
Submit your Final Project after you have completed the last assignment.
Grading Criteria
The Final Project is worth (?%) of the total course grade and will be marked out of [#] marks as follows:
| Criterion | Description | Marks |
| Content | Depth of analysis, relevance of arguments | 8 |
| Organization | Clarity of structure, logical flow | 4 |
| Writing style | Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure | 3 |
| Critical thinking | Originality of ideas, insight | 3 |
| Citations and sources | Appropriateness of sources, citation accuracy | 2 |
| Total Marks | 20 |
[Any additional criteria or recommendations affecting assessment of the Final Project.]