Fully Online Course Template
Table of Contents
Western Online Course Template!
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Homepage!
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Widgets!
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Banner!
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News!
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Content Browser!
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Syllabus/Office Hours!
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Updates!
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Calendar!
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Tech Support!
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Edit Learning Modules with the Content Tool!
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Create a Learning Module!
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Delete a Learning Module!
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Delete a Topic!
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Upload a File!
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Reorder Modules!
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Reorder Topics!
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Customizing Topics!
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Dropbox (Assignments)!
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Edit Existing Dropbox Assignments!
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Creating More Assignments!
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Deleting Assignments!
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Quizzes!
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Edit Existing Quizzes!
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Creating More Quizzes!
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Deleting a Quiz!
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Discussions!
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Edit Existing Discussions!
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Creating More Discussions!
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Deleting a Discussion!
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Grades!
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Creating a Category (Categories are optional)!
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Deleting a Category!
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Creating a Grade Item!
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Deleting a Grade Item!
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Reordering Grade Items!
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Changing the Grading System!
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Resources!
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Western Online Course Template
The Western Online Course Template is designed to help you get a head start in creating a well
organized fully online course. The template comes with already created learning modules containing
activities that can be easily customized to fit your needs.
This tip sheet will provide all the information you need to customize the template exactly how you want
it.
Homepage
The homepage contains several widgets, all of which can be customized. When your course becomes
available in Western Online it will have the WIU Default Homepage as the active homepage. After you
copy the Western Online Course Template to your course, you will need to make the Online Course
Homepage the active homepage by doing the following:
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Click Edit Course in the menu.
Under the Site Setup section click Homepages.
Click the Active Homepage drop down menu and choose Online Course Homepage.
Click Apply.
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You can customize the homepage including adding/subtracting widgets and moving widgets around. To
edit the homepage, do the following:
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Click Edit Course in the nav bar.
Click the Homepages link in the Site Setup section.
Click the Online Course Homepage.
You can make the following changes:
- Change the name of the homepage in the Name text box.
- Click the Change Layout button to change the layout of the homepage. Choose the
layout you want to use then click the Update button.
- In the Widgets section you can click and drag widgets to move them around, hover over
and click the X on the upper right of a widget to delete it, or click the Add Widgets
button on the panel you would like to add a widget to.
Click Save and Close.
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Widgets
Banner
The banner widget is set up using replace strings to automatically plug in your course title as well as
your name and welcome message under the title. This will be customized for your students as well. If you
want to customize this further do the following:
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Click Edit Course in the nav bar.
Click the Widgets link in the Site Setup section.
Click the Custom Widgets tab.
Click the Pencil icon to the right of the Banner widget.
Click the Content tab.
Use the HTML Editor to enter and format your content for the widget.
Use the Customize Widget Style button to customize colors and borders.
Click Save and Close.
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News
The News widget is a system widget that can be used to post announcements. The template comes with
a news item letting the students know what they need to click on first to get started. To add more news
items do the following:
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Click the down arrow next to News in the title bar of the
News widget and choose New News Item.
Fill in the Headline, Content, and Availability sections.
Click Publish or Save as Draft.
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NOTE: You can put an end date on the To Get Started news item if you want to remove it. For
example, if you are half way through the semester you may find this is irrelevant.You can remove or
change the end date if you want to make the news item visible again for a new semester. To add an end
date do the following:
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Click the drop arrow next to the title of the item, To get Started, and choose Edit.
Add an end date under the Availability section.
Click Update.
Content Browser
The Content Browser contains all of the learning modules for the course. Included in the modules are
assignments, quizzes, discussions, and page templates with text and image placeholders. For information
on how to edit the modules see Edit Learning Modules with the Content Tool on page 10.
The modules include:
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Course Introduction (Start Here) - This modules contains the following customizable
topics:
- Welcome
- Course Objectives
- Instructor Information
- Course Syllabus
- Office Hours Chat Room
Unit 1: Title Here - Units 1 - 8 all have a place to put in your own title. They also all contain
the following topics:
- Unit 1 Introduction
- Unit 1 Discussion
- Unit 1 Assignment
- Unit 1 Quiz
Unit 2: Title Here
Unit 3: Title Here
Unit 4: Title Here
Unit 5: Title Here
Unit 6: Title Here
Unit 7: Title Here
Unit 8: Title Here
Course Summary - This contains a customizable page title Congratulations.
Syllabus/Office Hours
There are two links in the Syllabus widget; Download the Course Syllabus and Office Hours
Chat Room. To edit the widget information, do the following:
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Click Edit Course in the nav bar.
Click the Widgets link in the in the Site Setup section.
Click the Custom Widgets tab.
Click the Pencil icon on the right for the Syllabus widget.
Click the Content tab.
Make your changes in the HTML editor.
Click Save and Close.
To customize the office hours chat, do the following:
• Click Communication in the nav bar and choose Chat.
• Click the drop arrow next to the Office Hours Chat Room and choose
Edit.
• Make your changes in the HTML editor window and click Save.
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To add your own syllabus, do the following:
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Name your syllabus file course_syllabus.docx. (It is important that your word doc be
named exactly like this)
Click Edit Course in the nav bar.
Click the Manage Files link under the Site Resources section. This contains all the files for
the course.
Click the Upload link.
Click the Upload button in the window that pops up.
Navigate to your syllabus file to select it and click Choose.
Click Save.
You will get a window that tells you the file already exists. Place a check next to the file and click
Overwrite.
Updates
This is a system widget that gives you updates on when students have submitted to a dropbox,
discussion, etc.
Calendar
This is a system calendar widget.
Tech Support
This widget provides information on where students can get technical support including links to the
uTech support desk and the WIU Knowledgebase.
Footer
This widget provides a place for you to put your contact information. To edit the footer follow the same
instructions as you did for the banner on page 5.
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Edit Learning Modules with the Content Tool
To access the Content Browser click Resources in the nav bar and choose Content.
Create a Learning Module
• Click Add a module... under the Table of Contents on the left.
• Type in a name for the module and hit Enter on your keyboard. The module will appear under
the Table of Contents on the left.
Delete a Learning Module
• Click to select the module you want to delete under the Table of Contents on the left.
• Click the drop arrow to the right of the module title near the top of the page and choose
Delete Module.
• In the window that pops up you will have two options. Option 1 will delete the module, nested
modules and any topics inside the module. However, all associated files that the topics were
linked to will remain and NOT be deleted. For example, quizzes will remain in the Quizzes tool,
discussions will remain in the Discussion tool, etc. Option 2 will delete the module, nested
modules, all topics inside the module and all associated files/activities that the topics were linked
to.
Delete a Topic
• Select the module you want to delete the topic from under the Table of Contents on the
left.
• Click the drop down menu to the right of the topic and choose Delete Topic
• In the pop up window choose the first option to just delete the topic link from the module.
Choose the second option to delete the link as well as the file/activity it is linked to.
Upload a File
• Select the module you want to add a file to under the Table of Contents on the left.
• Click New and choose Upload Files.
• In the window that appears choose My Computer and click Upload.
• Navigate to the file to choose it and click Add.
Reorder Modules
• Under the Table of Contents, click and hold the little three line handle to the left of the
module you want to move
• Drag the module to where you want it. Wait until you see a black line before you let go. For
example, if you want to move the fourth module to the second position, drag and hover
between the first and second modules until you see the black line. Then let go.
• If you hover over another module it will turn orange. If you let go it will nest the module you are
moving into the module you are hovered over.
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Reorder Topics
• Under the Table of Contents, click the module that has the topic you want to move to
select it.
• Click and hold the little three line handle to the left of the topic you want to move.
• Drag the topic to where you want it. Wait until you see a black line before you let go. For
example, if you want to move the fourth topic to the second position, drag and hover between
the first and second topics until you see the black line. Then let go.
Customizing Topics
The following topics are web pages and will need to be edited with your own information:
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Course Introduction (Start Here) module
- Welcome
- Course Objectives
- Instructor Information
Units 1 - 8 modules
- Introduction pages
Course Summary module
- Congratulations page
To edit these pages, do the following:
• Click Resources in the nav bar and
choose Content.
• Select the module under the Table of
Content that has the page you want to
edit.
• Click the drop arrow next to the page
and choose Edit HTML.
• Use the HTML editor to add your
information.
• Click the Update button at the
bottom.
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The following is a screenshot of the Content tool:
Dropbox (Assignments)
The dropbox tool is pre-populated with eight assignments, Unit 1 Assignment through Unit 8
Assignment. There is a link to each assignment from it’s corresponding module in the Content tool. The
Unit One module has a link to the Unit 1 Assignment and so on.
Edit Existing Dropbox Assignments
• Click Assessments in the nav bar and choose Dropbox.
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Click the drop down next to the assignment you want to edit and choose Edit Folder.
Make your changes in the tabs provided.
Click Save and Close.
Creating More Assignments
• Click Resources in the nav bar and choose Content.
• Select the module under the Table of Content that you want to add a dropbox to.
• Click the New dropdown and choose New Dropbox.
• Type in a Name and Instructions and click the Publish button (or Save as Draft to save
for later)
• To link the dropbox to a grade item click the Add a grade item... link on the mid right of
the page.
• Type in the total possible points in the Points text box.
• Click the green plus icon.
• In the window that appears type in a name in the Name text box and points in the
Maximum Points text box (this will be the same points you entered a couple of steps ago).
• Click the Create button at the bottom to close the window.
• Click the Save button.
• Click the Add dates and restrictions... link on the mid left of the page. Here you can add
start, end, and due dates.
• Click the Update button to save your dates.
Deleting Assignments
• Click Resources in the nav bar and choose Content.
• Select the module under the Table of Content that you want to delete the assignment from.
• Click the drop down next to the assignment and choose Delete Topic.
• In the pop up window choose the first option to just delete the dropbox link from the module.
Choose the second option to permanently delete the assignment from the Dropbox tool.
Quizzes
The Quizzes tool is pre-populated with eight quizzes, Unit 1 Quiz to Unit 8 Quiz. There is a link to each
quiz from it’s corresponding module in the Content tool. The Unit One module has a link to the Unit 1
Quiz and so on.
Edit Existing Quizzes
• Click Assessments in the nav bar and choose Quizzes.
• Click directly on the quiz you want to edit.
• Make your changes in the tabs provided.
• Click Save and Close.
Creating More Quizzes
For information on how to create new quizzes see the Creating Quizzes in Western Online tip
sheet here: http://www.wiu.edu/CITR/resources/pdf/tip_sheets/wo/quizzes.pdf.
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Deleting a Quiz
• Click Resources in the nav bar and choose Content.
• Select the module under the Table of Content that you want to delete the quiz from.
• Click the drop down next to the quiz and choose Delete Topic.
• In the pop up window choose the first option to just delete the quiz link from the module.
Choose the second option to permanently delete the quiz from the Quizzes tool.
Discussions
The Discussions tool is pre-populated with eight discussions, Unit 1 Discussion to Unit 8 Discussion.
There is a link to each discussion from it’s corresponding module in the Content tool. The Unit One
module has a link to the Unit 1 Discussion and so on.
Edit Existing Discussions
• Click Communication in the nav bar and choose Discussions.
• Click the drop down next to the discussion topic you want to edit and choose Edit Topic.
• Make your changes in the tabs provided.
• Click Save and Close.
Creating More Discussions
• Click Resources in the nav bar and choose Content.
• Select the module under the Table of Content that you want to add a discussion to.
• Click the New dropdown and choose New Discussion.
• Type in a Name and Instructions and click the Publish button (or Save as Draft to save
for later)
• To link the discussion to a grade item click the Add a grade item... link on the mid right of
the page.
• Type in the total possible points in the Points text box.
• Click the green plus icon.
• In the window that appears type in a name in the Name text box and points in the
Maximum Points text box (this will be the same points you entered a couple of steps ago).
• Click the Create button at the bottom to close the window.
• Click the Save button.
• Click the Add dates and restrictions... link on the mid left of the page. Here you can add
start, end, and due dates.
• Click the Update button to save your dates.
Deleting a Discussion
• Click Resources in the nav bar and choose Content.
• Select the module under the Table of Content that you want to delete the discussion from.
• Click the drop down next to the discussion and choose Delete Topic.
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In the pop up window choose the first option to just delete the discussion link from the
module. Choose the second option to permanently delete the discussion from the Discussions
tool.
Grades
The grade book contains numeric grade items for all dropbox assignments, quizzes, and discussions in
the course. Grade items are organized by categories.You can add, delete, and reorder the grade items to
fit your needs.
Creating a Category (Categories are optional)
• Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades.
• Click Manage Grades at the top.
• Click the New button and choose Category.
• Give the category a name.
• Click Save and Close.
Deleting a Category
• Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades.
• Click Manage Grades at the top.
• Click the More Actions drop down menu and choose Delete.
• Place a check next to the category you want to delete. (the grade items in the category must
not be associated with any discussions, quizzes, etc. Otherwise it will be grayed out and will not
let you delete it. Delete the associated item(s) first, then you can delete the category).
• Click the Delete button at the bottom.
• In the Confirmation pop up window that appears click the Delete button. (This will also delete
any grade items in the category).
Creating a Grade Item
• Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades.
• Click Manage Grades at the top.
• Click the New button and choose Item.
• Click on the type of grade item you want to create (i.e. Numeric).
• Give the grade item a name.
• Choose a category from the Category drop down (optional).
• Under Max. Points type in the total possible points.
• Click Save and Close.
Deleting a Grade Item
• Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades.
• Click Manage Grades at the top.
• Click the More Actions drop down menu and choose Delete.
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Place a check next to the item(s) you want to delete (the grade items must not be associated
with any discussions, quizzes, etc. Otherwise it will be grayed out and will not let you delete it.
Delete the associated item(s) first, then you can delete the grade item(s)).
Click the Delete button at the bottom.
In the Confirmation pop up window that appears click the Delete button.
Reordering Grade Items
• Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades.
• Click Manage Grades at the top.
• Click the More Actions drop down menu and choose Reorder.
• Use the number drop down menus on the right to change the order.
• Click Save.
Changing the Grading System
By default the template is set up to use a points grading system. To change the grading system to
Weighted or Formula, do the following:
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Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades.
Click the Settings link on the upper right.
Click the Calculation Options tab.
Choose the desired grading system under the Grading System section.
Click Save.
Click Close.
Resources
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CITR Homepage - http://www.wiu.edu/CITR/
CITR FAQ page - http://www.wiu.edu/CITR/resources/faq.php
CITR Tutorials, Tip Sheets, and Videos - http://www.wiu.edu/CITR/resources/tutorials.php
Western Online Homepage - http://westernonline.wiu.edu
uTech Support Desk - http://www.wiu.edu/university_technology/
WIU Knowledgebase - https://rightanswers.wiu.edu/portal/public/
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