Working with Template Modules

Faculty Working with Template Modules

Modules are a tool to arrange other content, including Assignments, Pages, Discussions, and Quizzes. This content can easily be moved from one module to another. Here we will discuss best practices for the use of Modules, both for you as an instructor and for your students’ learning as well.

The UCLA Bruin Learn Template includes 10 Modules, for the 10 weeks of the quarter, plus a Getting Started Module. You can see and click on these Modules from the Homepage:

module list

 

Inside each Module in the Template is content for you as the instructor to build upon, duplicate, move around, or discard as it suits your needs.

Module 1 in the template, as an example module. Inside it are two items: Overview 1, and Assignment 1.

 

With the way Modules are set up in the UCLA Bruin Learn Template, students can navigate through the course by clicking on the Next button at the bottom right of each Page, Assignment, Discussion, or Quiz. Clicking the Next button will take them to the next part of the Module sequentially.

Next button within Modules, allowing a person to proceed to the next item within a module, or to the next module and next item within it.

 

View and edit the layout of the modules by clicking Modules in the Course Navigation Menu.

multiple modules and their contents as seen when you click on Modules in the Course Navigation Menu.

 

Using the Module Overview

The UCLA Bruin Learn Template contains a Page at the beginning of each Module which is an Overview of that individual Module. Navigate to these Overviews by clicking Modules in the Course Navigation Menu, or by clicking on any individual Module (Module 1, 2, etc.) from the Homepage. Here is an example of an Overview:

Module overview. At the top, it contains space for an overview of what students should be able to do after completing the module, in specific outcomes. Below, there is space for required and recommended resources for that module.

 

It is recommended to use the Overview for each Module. In the top section under Overview, describe a few specific tasks or skills that students will be able to achieve from this Module (e.g. explain two economic effects of WWII, or identify past tense verbs). Under Resources, list and/or link any materials your students will need to complete their weekly Assignments (under the Required or Recommended categories). Modify this Overview Module as it makes sense for each course.

 

Using the Getting Started Module

The first Module you will see on the Homepage is the Getting Started Module. This has been created for you as an easy way to introduce yourself and your students to the Bruin Learn course page. We recommend that you use it, and you can modify it as you need.

The Overview provides a link to the course Syllabus and Announcements, as well as all other components of the course. It also links to helpful resources for students who may be new to navigating Bruin Learn.

Getting Started Module. At the top, there is a pre-populated Overview containing links to the Syllabus, Announcements, other parts of the course, and resources for using Bruin Learn. Below is the Module Checklist.

 

The Welcome page has space for you to write a Welcome section to your course, or to add a Welcome video - here, you can record a video using Kaltura, or upload it to the page.

Welcome page. It has a banner reading "Welcome to Course XXXX" (for you to fill in) and a space for you to add either welcome text or a welcome video.

 

The Instructor Information page has space for you to share details about yourself, contact info, and office hours, as well as a section for TA information.

Instructor Information page in the Getting Started module. It has space for the instructor to describe themselves, add a photo, and add contact information, and space below for the TA to do so as well.

 

The next item is a Discussion where students can post videos to introduce themselves, which can also be modified with specific discussion prompts or questions.

Example of Introduce Yourself discussion in the Getting Started module. It has space for students to introduce themselves and talk about why they are taking the course and can be edited to your specifications.

 

Finally, the Getting Started Module contains an Assignment for students to review the Syllabus.

Example of Review Syllabus assignment in the Getting Started module.

  

Organizing Modules: Time and Content

The way that Modules are organized in the Bruin Learn Template is so that students can progress through the items within them in the order of the course: Module 1’s content corresponds to the information, assignments, and assessments for Week 1 of the quarter, etc. 

It is recommended that you keep them organized in this way, as opposed to organizing them by type of activity, for example. You may want to put all of the students’ Quizzes into one Module; however, you can access all Quizzes at once simply by clicking on Quizzes in the Course Navigation Menu. 

Modules and Completion Tracking

With Modules, you are able to view students’ progress throughout the course’s material. To do this, click on Modules in the Course Navigation Menu, then click the View Progress button in the upper right corner. 

The View Progress button, which allows you to see students' progress through modules.

 

You will see a list of your students’ names on the right side of the page and can click on any of them to view their progress in the course. In Progress means that they have begun but not yet finished the Module’s requirements. Complete means that they have completed all requirements, or that the Module does not have any requirements. Unlocked means that the student can access, but has not started, the Module. Locked means that the student does not have access to the Module (it may not yet be published).

Example of a student's Module Progress. Next to each module is a status: Locked, Complete, Unlocked.

 

If you need help with this tutorial, please contact bruinlearn-support@it.ucla.edu.