Resources
Important questions about identifying and allocating resources realistically.
How much time will be needed?
How much time do you need to design the new course and how can you convince your boss that it really will need this amount of time, rather than half this time (or next to no time)?
A common rule of thumb is that you need to allow 20 hours of planning and preparation for every hour of course time, but some types of materials can take considerably longer to design and prepare.
If your course relies on others to create or provide some resources, make sure you have considered their availability - “just in time” for you may be impossible for someone else to deliver.
Will any additional finance be needed?
Materials: some course materials may have cost implications, for printing or licencing purposes.
Recording: if you plan to record lectures, for example using the CaptureEd service, there may be a charge for the subsequent storage of the recorded content.
Staff: course tutors can be another unavoidable expense. Will your course require tutors and will additional money be needed to pay them?
Who else do you need to include in the design process?
If you are planning a new course you will probably already have spoken to your head of school, or other senior colleagues.
You might also find it helpful to talk to:
- your liaison librarian
- your school learning technologist (or to information services technologists)
- staff at the Institute for Academic Development
The best courses typically draw on the skills of a team of staff, each contributing knowledge and experience from a different background.
This article was published on Jan 31, 2012