Course packages
DeC provides support to faculty staff for the development of learning resources for on-campus and off-campus students. There is no direct cost from DeC to faculties for preparation of course packages.
USQ Courses, written by content experts in the faculties, are provided in various ways to all enrolled students. All courses are provided in various combinations of print, online and CD/DVD. Students may be given the opportunity to purchase from the USQ Bookshop all or a subset of the package as indicated by the Course Leader in the pre-production information.
The course package available to off-campus students should aim to supply them with the content, resources, interaction and feedback that is delivered to on-campus students in lectures and tutorials. As most USQ courses have one or more commercial textbook set for purchase by students, the course packages differ from textbooks. Course packages specifically address the synopsis and objectives outlined in the Course Specification for the course and should:
- arouse and maintain interest
- be written specifically for the learner's individual use
- provide expected learning outcomes or objectives
- provide opportunities for self assessment
- anticipate learner difficulties
- offer study skills advice
- provide regular feedback
- regularly involve the integration of different media
- be published with the learner in mind.
Options for contents of course packages
A typical course package usually includes:
- introductory material - course introduction, welcome, course overview, course personnel, course resources, course structure, course outline, support details, UConnect details, study schedule, assessment details, assignments, past examination, course evaluation
- study modules - the course content is divided into modules according to the structure of the content. Each module may contain an introduction, statement of objectives/learning outcomes, and content offered in the sequence of the student pathway through course. Included should be references to the textbook and readings, activities for students to test their progress, feedback to activities, and diagrams, graphics or tables to supplement or illustrate text. Modules delivered in online or CD mode can include interactive features.
- readings - resources such as extracts from books, articles from journals and other materials can be supplied to students as part of the package. These resources can serve a number of purposes e.g. to fill gaps in information in textbook or provide alternative views on issues or concepts. Selection of required readings should be relevant and manageable. Copyright regulations must be followed for all readings used. Readings can be offered online via DiReCt in the Library, included as a printed book, as files on a CD or DVD or in course content on the StudyDesk.
Options for delivery of course content
It is usually up to the Faculties and Course Leaders to decide on the delivery mode, or a combination of modes of the course materials. Decisions about suitable modes for delivery of content can be influenced by the type of content, student cohort and resources.
Course materials can be delivered to students in the following modes:
- print - hard copy materials that are mailed to students or available for purchase from the USQ Bookshop
- online - materials are provided online to students via the USQStudyDesk
- CD/DVD - have the advantage of allowing students to work offline but can incorporate media/multimedia
- a combination of above modes.
There are two types of CDs
- Course CDs are resource based learning packages which contain all the course materials and are the same for all students whether enrolled on-campus or off-campus.
- Resource CDs - accompany course material which is delivered in print or online modes. Content varies from course to course, but may include audio or video files, multimedia or other resources.
Materials provided in online or CD modes need to be prepared in a cross media publishing system such as ICE.