Begin by designing a clear and welcoming entry point on Blackboard. A well-structured orientation module sets the tone, introduces course expectations, and helps students confidently navigate the rest of the course. Make this module the first item in the course to guide students from the beginning. 

• Include the course syllabus and schedule. The syllabus should clearly outline course learning outcomes, grading policies, required materials, major assignments, and other required information. Refer to the CTE syllabus templates for both required and optional syllabus content. The schedule should provide an overview of topics, deadlines, and any scheduled synchronous meetings. 
• Include a brief welcome video (recorded in Panopto or Zoom) to introduce yourself, share your enthusiasm for the course, and provide an overview of what students can expect.  
• Offer a visual tour or screenshots to show students how to navigate the Blackboard course layout. 

A consistent course layout on Blackboard reduces confusion and supports student success. Use learning modules to organize materials in a way that reflects the flow of the course and makes navigation intuitive. A clear structure helps students stay organized, navigate confidently, and focus on learning without unnecessary distractions. 

• Use learning modules to organize all content on Blackboard. Align each module with a week, topic, or unit, depending on your course structure. 
• Name each module clearly and in sequence using informative, consistent titles (e.g., "Week 3 – Analyzing Argumentative Essays") and avoid vague labels like "Lesson 3." 
• Follow a consistent structure within each module. Include an overview, objectives, to-do list, materials, activities, assessments, and a summary or reflection. 
• Use bullet points, bold headings, and labeled sections to improve readability. 
• Apply consistent naming conventions and instructions to help students quickly understand how to engage with materials across modules. 

Accessible materials not only meet compliance standards but also improve the learning experience for all students. Use Blackboard tools and resources to make your content usable, engaging, and reflective of diverse perspectives. Add short descriptions under each item on Blackboard to explain its purpose and connection to learning outcomes. 

• Use Blackboard Ally to check the accessibility of uploaded documents and images. Ally provides guidance for improving accessibility scores and ensures materials are usable for all learners. 
• Align instructional materials and activities with the expectations outlined in your learning outcomes and course map to build upon the foundation created during design. 
• Apply accessibility standards to all course materials. 
• Caption all videos, transcribe all audio, and provide alternative text for images. 
• Link to library or Open Educational Resources (OERs) rather than uploading PDFs when possible. 

Effective course development includes thoughtful sequencing. Present content at varying levels of difficulty and use Blackboard features to guide students through progressive learning experiences. Use the progress tracking feature so students see what they’ve completed and stay focused as they move through the module. 

• Present content and tasks at varying levels of difficulty to promote sustained learning and reduce overload in accelerated or condensed formats. 
• Break complex assignments into smaller, manageable steps distributed across modules to scaffold student learning. 
  • Think: “How do I structure this task so students aren’t overwhelmed?” 
  • Example: A research paper is broken into topic proposal -> outline -> draft -> peer review -> final submission. 
• Chunk content into smaller, manageable segments to help students stay engaged and on track. 
  • Think: “How do I present this content so it’s easier to digest?” 
  • Example: A 30-minute lecture is divided into three separate 10-minute videos based on key topics. Each video includes guiding questions to help students engage with the material. 
• Use brief formative activities to prepare students for larger assignments. 
• Include short reflective tasks using Blackboard Journals, Discussions, or Assignment prompts (e.g., “explain your thinking” or “share your process”) to support deeper engagement. 
• Provide models or examples to help students understand expectations and approaches. 
• Use consistent formats and instructions across modules to reduce cognitive load and support focus. 
• Offer optional review or practice opportunities for students who need additional support. 

Build assessments directly on Blackboard where they’re easy to find and clearly connected to course outcomes. Use built-in tools to manage submission, grading, and communication around expectations. Placing assessments within modules and clearly labeling each one helps students understand what’s expected and stay organized throughout the course. 

• Add assessments directly within each Blackboard learning module to align with weekly or unit-level objectives. 
• Include clear instructions for all assignments that outline the purpose and connection to learning outcomes, the steps required to complete the task, and the criteria that will be used for grading. 
• Design a mix of formative and summative tasks using Blackboard tools such as assignments, tests, discussions, and journals. 
• Use Blackboard assignment instructions or test descriptions to clarify expectations, including whether generative AI may be used and how work should be completed. 
• Build rubrics on Blackboard to clarify expectations and support consistent, transparent grading. 
• Apply due dates, availability settings, and submission options to manage pacing and ensure clarity. 
• Use the Groups tool if incorporating peer review or collaborative projects. 

Weekly or module-based interaction helps keep students connected to the course, the instructor, and each other. Use Blackboard tools and integrated Zoom options to support meaningful participation and timely feedback. Highlight how each activity connects to course outcomes so students understand the purpose behind their work and stay engaged throughout the course. 

• Include learning outcomes in each module overview to help students connect the content to course goals. 
• Use Blackboard tools, such as discussions, journals, and assignments, to design activities that promote interaction, encourage self-regulated learning, and connect content to real-world examples. 
• Use varied instructional strategies across modules to promote participation and meet students where they are. 
• Offer optional synchronous sessions or office hours via Zoom to increase instructor presence. 

Before students access the course, take time to test navigation, links, and visibility. Blackboard’s student preview feature allows you to identify and fix issues before the course goes live. Testing from a student’s perspective helps ensure everything is easy to find and clearly labeled, reducing confusion and minimizing support needs once the course begins. 

• Use Blackboard's student preview to test navigation and visibility. 
• Check spelling, grammar, and formatting across all visible content. 
• Confirm all links work, materials are accessible, and due dates are accurate. 
• Review the Blackboard gradebook to ensure all assessments are included, point values are correct, and categories align with your grading structure. 
• Ask a colleague or instructional designer to review the course from a learner perspective. 

Once your course is built on Blackboard, use the Quality Standards for Online Courses (QSOC) to evaluate its design. The QSOC rubric highlights key elements of effective online teaching, including structure, interaction, assessment, and accessibility. Completing a self-review at this stage helps identify areas for improvement and ensures alignment with best practices before the course goes live. A well-aligned course not only supports student success but also reduces confusion and support needs during the semester. 

• Use the QSOC self-review tool to assess your course against the university’s quality standards. 
• Focus on both foundational elements (e.g., clarity, navigation, accessibility) and strategies that promote active learning and student engagement. 
• Consider scheduling a review by an instructional designer for additional feedback and insight.