High-Impact Design for Online Courses (HIDOC) Framework

Organizing Your Course for Clarity and Flow 

A well-structured and aligned course provides students with a clear and logical learning path that ensures course learning outcomes, assessments, and instructional materials work together seamlessly. A thoughtfully designed course structure enhances navigation, minimizes cognitive overload, and fosters an engaging learning experience. 

Key Considerations 

• Ensure logical course progression. A well-structured course guides students through a clear learning path, building foundational knowledge before advancing to more complex concepts. Organizing content sequentially helps students make meaningful connections. 
• Balance course length and pacing. Whether designing a full-term or condensed course, ensure that learning outcomes remain clear and effective while giving students enough time to engage with the material. Adjustments should preserve key concepts without overwhelming students. 
• Set the tone in the first and final weeks. The first week should introduce students to course expectations and structure, while the final week should provide opportunities for reflection and synthesis of learning. Thoughtfully designing these weeks enhances engagement and course cohesion. 
• Structure modules for clarity. Clearly labeled modules with descriptive titles and logical sequencing improve navigation and reduce cognitive overload. Each module should include relevant content, assessments, and activities that align with course learning outcomes. 
• Prioritize student experience. An intuitive course layout minimizes confusion, allowing students to focus on learning rather than logistics. Consistent organization and clear expectations contribute to an engaging and accessible learning environment. 

Why It Matters 

A well-organized course reduces confusion, increases student engagement, and promotes active learning. A clear structure allows students to focus on mastering content rather than navigating course logistics. 

Action Steps 

• Brainstorm your learning path: 
  • Begin with the end in mind by reflecting on the course learning outcomes.
  • Determine what students need to learn first to build a strong foundation. 
  • Structure the weeks so they progressively build upon each other. 
  • Ensure that topics connect in a logical sequence. 
  • Organize content to transition from easier to more complex ideas. 
• Consider the length of your course: 
  • Start by designing the course as a full-term structure. 
  • It is generally easier to condense a course than to expand it. 
  • When shortening a course, restructure it while maintaining the full scope of learning.

Tips for Accelerated Courses 

• • • Prioritize essential content. Focus on core concepts and skills aligned with course outcomes. 
    • Streamline assessments. Use low-stakes, frequent assessments to check understanding without overloading students. 
    • Design for clarity and structure. Provide a clear weekly roadmap with consistent navigation and deadlines. 
    • Balance workload. Ensure daily expectations are reasonable given the condensed timeline. 
    • Include a first-day attendance activity. Use a brief, required task to confirm student engagement at the start of the course. 
    • Foster engagement. Use brief, focused activities like discussions or reflections to maintain interaction. 
    • Leverage existing materials. Adapt high-impact content from full-length courses to fit the shorter format. 
    • Communicate frequently. Send regular updates, reminders, and feedback to keep students on track. 

• Focus on the first and final weeks of your course: 

  • Use some or part of the first week to introduce students and set expectations. 
  • Prepare students for the course structure and key learning components. 
  • Structure the final week to include a reflection activity or meaningful conclusion. 
  • Align these elements with your teaching philosophy for a cohesive course flow. 

• Plan your modules: 

  • Sequence the modules to create a logical learning progression. 
  • Provide descriptive titles for each module. 
  • Decide on the length of each module - ranging from a few days to multiple weeks. 
  • Capture additional details, such as content topics and assessment ideas. 

You Try It 

Use the Step 3 - Course Structure document from the HIDOC library to structure your course effectively by brainstorming your learning path, considering course length, and planning your modules. It provides guidance on sequencing content, designing a balanced first and final week, and outlining each module with key details such as the title, length, duration, topics, assessments, and activities.