Course Management

Course Creation Fundamentals

Effective course management begins with thoughtful course design. The WIA-EDU-009 standard defines comprehensive tools and workflows for creating, organizing, and delivering educational content.

Course Structure

• Course Shell: Basic container with title, code, description, and metadata
• Modules/Units: Logical groupings of related content (e.g., weeks, topics, themes)
• Lessons/Activities: Individual learning objects within modules
• Resources: Supporting materials (readings, videos, documents)

Content Types Supported

• Documents: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs
• Videos: Uploaded files, YouTube, Vimeo, streaming platforms
• Interactive Content: H5P, SCORM packages, xAPI modules
• Assessments: Quizzes, tests, assignments, surveys
• External Tools: LTI-integrated applications and services

Course Settings & Configuration

Basic Information

• Course name, code, and section number
• Term/semester and academic year
• Start and end dates
• Course description and learning objectives
• Credit hours and instructional format

Enrollment Settings

• Self-enrollment vs. manual enrollment
• Enrollment capacity and waitlist management
• Prerequisites and co-requisites
• Enrollment codes/keys for restricted access

Visibility & Access

• Course visibility (published, unpublished, archived)
• Content release schedules (all at once, weekly, custom)
• Prerequisite completion requirements
• Guest access and observer roles

Content Organization Best Practices

Module Design Pattern

1. Introduction: Overview, learning objectives, estimated time
2. Content Delivery: Readings, videos, presentations
3. Practice: Activities, discussions, self-checks
4. Assessment: Quizzes, assignments, projects
5. Summary: Key takeaways, next steps

Multimedia Integration

Video Content Management

• Upload & Hosting: Direct upload with automatic transcoding
• Streaming Services: YouTube, Vimeo, Kaltura integration
• Interactive Video: Embedded quizzes, annotations, chapters
• Captions & Transcripts: Accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1)
• Analytics: View tracking, engagement metrics, completion rates

Document Management

• Version control for updated materials
• Collaborative editing (Google Docs, Office 365)
• PDF annotation and highlighting
• File size optimization and compression

SCORM & xAPI Support

WIA-EDU-009 mandates support for industry-standard e-learning specifications:

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model)

• SCORM 1.2: Legacy support for older content
• SCORM 2004: Advanced sequencing and navigation
• Features: Progress tracking, completion status, scoring
• Import/Export: Content portability between LMS platforms

xAPI (Experience API / Tin Can)

• Next-generation learning activity tracking
• Captures learning experiences beyond the LMS
• Mobile, offline, and social learning data
• Learning Record Store (LRS) integration

Course Templates & Blueprints

Template Types

• Master Course: Authoritative version shared across sections
• Department Templates: Subject-specific scaffolding
• Institutional Standards: Universal elements (syllabus, policies)
• Accessibility Templates: WCAG-compliant structures

Prerequisites & Learning Paths

Prerequisite Management

• Course-level prerequisites (must complete Course A before Course B)
• Module-level prerequisites (sequential unlocking)
• Minimum grade requirements
• Skills or competency-based prerequisites

Adaptive Learning Paths

• Branching scenarios based on assessment performance
• Personalized content recommendations
• Remediation loops for struggling students
• Accelerated tracks for advanced learners

Course Copying & Migration

Content Migration Tools

• Full Course Copy: Duplicate entire course structure
• Selective Import: Choose specific modules, assignments, quizzes
• Cross-Platform Migration: Import from other LMS platforms
• Common Cartridge: Standard format for content portability

What Gets Copied

• ✅ Course structure and content
• ✅ Assignments, quizzes, and rubrics
• ✅ Discussion prompts and pages
• ✅ Settings and configurations
• ❌ Student data and submissions
• ❌ Grades and engagement history

Collaboration Features for Instructors

Team Teaching Support

• Multiple instructors with equal privileges
• Role-based permissions (lead, assistant, guest lecturer)
• Shared gradebook and student management
• Instructor messaging and coordination tools

Teaching Assistants (TAs)

• Limited grading permissions
• Discussion moderation capabilities
• Student communication (office hours, email)
• Analytics access for their assigned sections

Best Practices Summary