I'm not sure if this is the kind of thing you were thinking about, but we actually have a standard look for each type of course, each of which follow standard structures. The way we maintain this is to copy an old course/use a template when creating new courses of the same type - this ensures that the same colour scheme and structure do not have to be created from scratch each time.

The above approach does not restrict the freedom to innovate and change, as modifications can still be made to the copy after it has been created. If necessary, simple guidelines can be provided to academics to ensure good practice.

We use Snapshot to copy, but you could adopt the same approach using the menu options provided, if you preferred.

Jill Cantrell

Team Manager, Delivery Team

The College of Law

15-17 Ridgmount Street

Bloomsbury

London

WC1E 7AH

Direct line: +44 (0)1483 216895

Fax: +44 (0)207 436 7134

On 09/01/2013 at 12:32, Joseph Gliddon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear All
As part of our Technology Enhanced Learning strategy we are looking at the
consistency of our Blackboard courses. Like most institutions now, the
vast majority of our staff use our VLE.
So we are looking at moving from a situation where each individual course
has its own individual style to a more standardised look and feel so that
as students start new courses they already know where everything is and can
hit the ground running.

As well as layout we are considering what is essential in a successful
course (and if the data already exists for a course can we pull it in – I
am thinking some building blocks).

Ideally we want to do this while at the same time as not restricting the
freedom of the individual academic to innovate and not destroying any
existing good practice. (we are planning a consistent look for each school
rather than the whole Uni to allow for differences in approach for
different disciplines)

So I know a number of you have already done things similar to this – do
you have any suggestions/lessons learned/feedback from
staff&students/things to avoid like the plague, that you would be willing
to share.

Regards
Joseph
----------------------
Joseph Gliddon
e-Learning Implementation Officer
Education Support Unit
University of Bristol
[log in to unmask]