This post is part of the series Helpful Strategies and Tips: Designing an Online Course, which provides guidance through common challenges instructors face during online course development.

To help keep students on task, include a To-Do list that students can refer to or print out. All the activities the student needs to complete for the module should be included on the To-Do list as well as anything that has a deadline associated with it, such as assignments, discussion postings, and quizzes. You can even add a suggested time on task for each item, and also suggested deadlines for completing required readings. The list should be written out in the order that the activities are presented in the module and should be detailed enough so that students know exactly what needs to be completed for the module.

Regarding Quality Matters and To-Do Lists

• QM 1.1: Instructions make clear how to get started and where to find various course components.
• QM 2.4  Instructions to students on how to meet the learning objectives are adequate and stated clearly.

Example to-do list: Module One consists of the following tasks and assignments: Take the Pre-Course Self-Evaluation Assessment. Read the article, How to Build an Online Course. Read Chapters 1 and 2 in your textbook, How to Create Online Courses. Read Lecture Notes included in this module. Watch the video, “Blackboard Mobile Learn for iPad.” Take the Mid-Module Self-Check. Complete and submit the Module One Assignment. Participate in the Module One Discussion Board. Take the Week One Exam.