Introduction to Consolidating Content with Pages

At CODL, we sometimes see modules that are cluttered with 10, 15, or even 20 different elements. These elements may include links, PDFs, videos, discussion posts, quizzes, and assignments. A cluttered module may add an unnecessary cognitive load for students navigating your course.

Pages as Solutions

One way easy and efficient way to solve this issue is to use pages. By creating one page with links to all of the readings, another for embedding all of the video lectures, etc., you will streamline the look of your modules. This will allow students to easily navigate and access what they need without putting any additional cognitive demand on them.

Example

One page could simply contain a bullet point list of readings together with citations, summarizing descriptions of the readings, and guiding questions. The hyperlinks could be direct links to internal uploaded files, Mediahub files, external websites, or digital documents from KU Libraries.

Reading 1
- Citation:
- Description:
- Guiding Questions:
  1. Guiding question 1
  2. Guiding question 2
  3. Guiding question 3
Reading 2
- Citation:
- Description:
- Guiding Questions:
  1. Guiding question 1
  2. Guiding question 2
  3. Guiding question 3
Reading 3
- Citation:
- Description:
- Guiding Questions:
  1. Guiding question 1
  2. Guiding question 2
  3. Guiding question 3

Notes on What to Include with Materials

The Center for Online & Distance Learning's standards require that instructional materials be appropriately cited.

The use of guiding questions is also required in order to make passive learning activities (e.g. reading articles, watching video lectures) more active. These questions allow students to analyze and reflect upon what they are reading or watching.

Adding summarizing descriptions to instructional materials is recommended as a way to show how the materials align with module objectives.

Menus as Solutions

While pages are great at consolidating content, a page with multiple videos or other files might still look cluttered. In that case, there are some ways to collapse content even further with tabs or accordion menus.

Please note that the below suggestions require the use of HTML. Instructional designers at CODL will be able to assist you in using HTML to create frames, accordion menus, or tab style menus.

Example 1: Accordion Style Dropdown Menu

Click on the text of each of the four elements to see how the accordion menu helps to consolidate content on a page.

Video #1: RSI (Regular and Substantive Interaction)

Video #2: Writing Measurable Objectives

Video #3: Aligning Course Content with Scaffolded Assignments

Video #4: Active Learning

Example 2: Tab Style Menu

Click on each element below to see how all of the materials and activities of one module can be conveniently consolidated onto on page.

Background
Lecture
Readings
Videos
Comprehension
Tasks

Grab Attention with a Catchy Title

Quickly spark the learners' interest with a brief snippet, image, or gif that will be used to create a sense of curiosity and enhance their desire to quickly delve into your content.

Inform the Learner of the Objectives

Explain how learners will be engaging with them and explain why it is important for them to learn the course material.

Present Context

For modules 2 and beyond, make sure you discuss how this week's content is related to the previous week(s) so the learners can see how all of the lessons are building on each other and build a sense of content mastery.

Provide Guidance

This is where you will have your lecture videos and readings. *Note: Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection. The transmission of the content is made solely for students officially enrolled in the course.

Lecture Videos and Presentations

Provide your learners with an additional resource by including a self-navigation of any presentations that you might use so they can access the material again if they need to.

This Week's Readings

Provide a quick summary of the reading along with links and citations for the readings. Consider adding close reading questions so learners can focus on the information that is most relevant to their success.

Guided Reading Questions:

Alignment | Reading____ supports Module__ Objective __ (M__ O__)

Videos

Provide a quick summary of each video and include a citation for each, this will help the learners to know what they will be learning about before they watch.
Alignment | This video supports Module__ Objective __ (M__ O__)

Check for Comprehension

Embed a nongraded activity here. Examples could include but are not limited to a jeopardy challenge, a branching scenario, an interactive image, flashcards ... the possibilities are endless.

Items to Complete

This could be an additional checklist for the assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc., that your learners will need to complete to finish the requirements for this module. This can also be used to state the direct alignment so your learners know why they are completing each task as they relate to the course and modular objectives.

Week One Discussion Forum: Introduce Your Self to the Class
(Aligns with ______)
Description goes here
(Aligns with ______)
Description goes here
(Aligns with ______)

If you do not have any specific assessments, consider adding a "checks for comprehension" activity to help your learners make a deeper connection to the material and/or to allow them to know that they have grasped the material in a way that will lead to their success.