6.3 Step 2: Break down the course into sections

As mentioned earlier, in order to break down the course into sections, it’s useful to think of it as a digital textbook with three core sections: homepage, modules and pages. In this step, you will have the opportunity to think about how you would break down your own course, and what you can include in each section.

Homepage

The homepage provides a visual summary of the course. It should give students a clear starting point and provide guidance. It is useful to include the following:

A welcome message
Course navigation buttons (e.g., "Start Here," "Modules," "Assignments")
An introductory video to the course
A recommend timeline for completing the course
Key information that students need to know about the way the course functions
Guidance to access technical support

Modules

Modules are the backbone of your course and should guide students through the learning process step by step. In a textbook, these would be the different chapters. They are used to organise course content by weeks, units, or your preferred organizational structure. Modules essentially create a one-directional linear flow of what students should do in a course. When designing them, it is recommended to:

Create a logical progression (chronological or thematic)
Break modules into smaller submodules if necessary
Decide on a thoughtful and sensible naming convention (i.e. “Module 2: Getting to know your student” instead of just “Module 2”)

Pages

Pages are where the learning happens — think of them as pages of a textbook. They store content and educational resources that are part of a course or group, and they can include text, video, and links to files and other course or group content. Pages can also be linked to other pages.

Keep each page focused on one or two concepts
The content builds logically – it increases in understanding and difficulty
Use headings, bullet points, and images to break up content
Include embedded videos and links to external resources
Use introduction/overview pages to activate learning
Use summary pages at the end of each module to recap key points