Examples of Study Area structures

Below are three commonly used methods for structuring content in online study areas and are designed to help students find materials quickly and efficiently.
 
A predefined structure for study areas can:
  • let different instructors on a course know where to place new materials
  • reflect the way in which materials are taught in face to face sessions
  • give students a consistent online learning experience
  • help tutors plan online learning and workloads.

There are three main methods for structuring content:

 

1. By Content Type

 

This method is:
  • quick and easy to set up and maintain
  • not always the best structure to find related content in
  • potentially more time consuming to upload larger amounts of content.
     content_type-naf4we.png

 
 

2. By Week or Lecture

 

This method:

  • can match the way the course/module/unit is delivered
  • has a structure that is flexible enough to match different methods of delivery (such as week, lecture, topic)
  • is suitable for different modes of delivery.
week-1r9uw85.png 
 
 

3. By Theme or  Topic

 

This method can:
  • accommodate students studying on different routes where common learning materials are shared
  • be used where online materials do not need to replicate face to face sessions and are referenced separately or developed over time
  • avoid repetition of generic learning content
  • form a resource or knowledge bank.
 theme-17f6or0.png


NOTE: Which ever method you use please consider the following:
  • Make sure you don’t nest too many folder resulting in too many clicks for your students to locate information.
  • Make sure your students understand the structure you use.
  • Make the folder structure appealing by adding visuals.