IDDC - Course Checklists

Syllabus 

• Use the common syllabus template to ensure consistently and clarity for students.
• Place the syllabus in an easily accessible section of your Blackboard course, such as the Syllabus and Schedule module or another prominent content area. 

Course Schedule 

• Publish a detailed course schedule outlining topics, assignments, exams, and due dates to keep students informed and organized. 

Content Visibility 

• Ensure all course materials and assignments are visible to students or set appropriate release conditions that align with your course schedule. 

Update Course Dates 

• If copying content from another course, review and update individual items, settings, and due dates to reflect the current semester.
• Use the Batch Edit feature in Blackboard to quickly update assessment due dates.

Content Clean-Up 

• Check all external and internal links to ensure they are working correctly.
• Remove outdated or irrelevant content to streamline the course layout.
• Locate and delete unopened and unused course files.

Gradebook 

• Make sure that your gradebook is configured with the correct grading schema, categories, and calculations (points or weights) to accurately reflect student performance. 

Add TA 

• Email iddc@ysu.edu to request a TA/GA be added to your course.

Accessibility 

• Ensure course materials comply with accessibility guidelines.
• Use Blackboard's Ally tool to assess and improve the accessibility of your course materials. 

Announcements 

• Create a welcome announcement to introduce yourself, set the tone for the course, and provide an overview of what students can expect. 

Practice Assignments 

• Post a low-stakes assignment to familiarize students with Blackboard tasks such as responding to discussions, submitting assignments, or taking tests with Respondus.

Communication 

• Post regular communication through email or announcements to summarize upcoming due dates, key topics, and other important information.
• Celebrate student milestones through announcements or course achievements.
• Offer a mid-semester check-in survey to gather feedback on what's working well and areas for improvement.

Gradebook Evaluation

• Ensure all grades are entered and calculated correctly in the gradebook.  
• Verify the overall grade column and submit grades to Banner. 

Course Evaluation 

• After course evaluations are submitted, review the feedback and consider areas for improvement in future courses. 

Update Course 

• Make updates to the course materials and assignments to ensure they are current for the next semester.