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Common Course Framework

The Common Course Framework is a standardized course structure to be used in all PPSC Online courses (home and pooled). It can, however, be used in all other course types (in-person, hybrid, hyflex).

Rationale #

Using a Common Course Framework reduces the time and cognitive load that it takes students to start navigating and learning in a new course by providing a consistently structured D2L experience. Make every course feel familiar—so the learning starts faster!

D2L Content Tool Structure Wireframe for Modules #

Welcome or Start Here #

  • This is where instructors should place any information students should know on the first day of class.

Syllabus and Schedule #

  • This module should contain the course syllabus and schedule for easy retrieval.

Course Materials #

  • Provide information or place the link to your course materials in this module.

Choose Either Weekly or Unit Module Structure #

  • Include the topic discussed in the module and dates that match the course syllabus.

Weekly Structure #

  • Week #: <Add Topic> (Add Start M/DD – End M/DD)

Example

  • Week 1: What is Economics? (08/26 – 09/02)
  • Week 2: Economic Systems (09/03 – 09/09)
  • Week 3: Supply and Demand (09/10-09/16)
screenshot of example of Modules sorted by Week in Content
Example of Weekly Structure

Unit/Module Structure #

  • Unit 1 <ADD TOPIC>: (<ADD M/DD–M/DD>)
    • <Week # OR Lesson #> (<ADD M/DD–M/DD>)
    • <Week # OR Lesson #> (<ADD M/DD–M/DD>)
  • Unit 2 : <ADD TOPIC>: (<ADD M/DD–M/DD>)
    • <Week # OR Lesson #> (<ADD M/DD–M/DD>)
    • <Week # OR Lesson #> (<ADD M/DD–M/DD>)

Example

  • Unit 1: The Romantic Period (08/26-09/16)
    • Week 1: Introduction & Ballards (08/26-09/02)
    • Week 2: Ballards & Science, Speculation, and Experiment (09/03 – 09/09)
    • Week 3: An Age of Revolutions (09/10-09/16)
  • Unit 2: The Victorian Age (09/17-10/7)
    • Week 4: Introduction to the Victorian Age (9/17-9/23)
    • Week 5: Great Britian’s Imperial Message (9/24-9/30)
    • Week 6 The Promise & The Price of Industrialization (10/1-10/7)
screenshot of unit structure exampls
Example of Unit/Module Structure
screenshot of unit structure example with module expanded to show sub-module weeks.
Example of Unit/Module Structure with a Unit expanded, showing the weekly submodules inside each unit module.

It is encouraged to use a “flat” module structure when possible. This means that it is best practice not to go more than 1 sub-module deep in a course or it may be overwhelming for students to navigate, especially if using a mobile device. If sub-modules are determined to be needed for a particular course, encourage the use of consistent naming. For example: Readings, Review, Activities.

Learn how to enroll in the Common Course Framework.