Robin M. Smith

From a non-educator's perspective, this book allowed me to better visualize the process that users of Sakai and other learning management systems must undergo to initially migrate their traditional classroom methodology to an online or blended system. The book provides step-by-step instructions for converting traditional materials and course outlines into "chunks" or modules.

The relatively short book covers a lot of ground but the two concepts that really jumped out for me were the show more usefulness of the Learning Guide and the importance of prioritizing how you initially build the course.

The Learning Guide is described to be a one-page overview of the desired learning outcomes, activities and resources related to one module. What I found most valuable was the suggestion that all references to textbook chapters or pages and other resources should be limited to this one location. If the textbook should change in time, the instructor only needs to update references in one place for a module. The guide also acts as a checklist for the student and provides a single point of reference as to the direction of the module.

The author's recommendation regarding how to prioritize the creation of the course was simple and practical. After completing the learning guide, an instructor should build each module to include only "must haves" that can later be built up and improved over time. The instructor should determine what annoys them or takes an inordinate amount of time in the classroom and put those tasks online first. This allows them to receive the greatest payout from their initial work. One example provided was students frequently asking about test grades and averages so the instructor started with placing their assessments online first.

The book includes a number of forms that are used throughout to assist an instructor in methodically transforming traditional content to something that will be more effective online. The book also includes a hefty reference section for further investigation. Ultimately, the book supports the notion that putting content online frees the instructor to be a more effective educator and allows them to interact more with their students instead of being a dispenser of information. show less

Robin Smith’s “Conquering the Content: a step-by-step guide to online course design” is a short work consisting of common sense ideas about moving a course from the classroom to online. I highly recommend this book to any educator about to make that move. I called Smith’s ideas common sense but I don’t want to belittle them. They are the type of “common sense” that is hard won, normally gained after time and energy consuming error.

Smith does not waste time discussing software show more or hosting services, she focuses of the organization and discipline needed to get a complete course online, on time. At less than 150 pages this book may be your project’s biggest timesaver. show less

GREEN 12