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The following are course and site structures structure patterns that have emerged from user research at several universities and their composite schools/departments. As best possible, these finding are from the instructor/student point of view. Red text indicates data expected to be shown in the user interface. <Green text> are terms applied to these structures from the data dictionary.
Simple Course
A single course is associated with a single site. Student enrollment is in the course, the only course offering.
Large Lecture Courses
A course with multiple sections is associated to a single site with instructor and/or student populated sections. Student enrollment is in the course, the only course offering. Site tools can publish to or limit views by sections.
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A course with one lecture and multiple section types is taught by one instructor and associated to a single site with instructor and/or student populated sections. Student enrollment is independent in either the lecture, lab, or discussion section. Site tools can publish to or limit views by sections.
Cross-listed Courses
Two course offerings are represented by a single course and associated to a single site. Student enrollment is by course offering, usually separate departments. Site tools can publish to or limit views by course enrollments.
Two course offerings are represented by a single course with multiple sections with instructor and/or student populated sections. Student enrollment is by course offering, usually separate departments. A single instructor teaches this course. Site tools can publish to or limit views by course enrollments and/or sections.
Two course offerings are represented by a single course with multiple sections with instructor and/or student populated sections. Sections are organized by department. Student enrollment is by course offering, usually separate departments. These departments are represented by two or more instructors who co-teach this course. Site tools can publish to or limit views by course enrollments and/or sections.
Language Courses
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A course with multiple sections is associated to a single site with SIS populated sections. Student enrollment is into a section. Site tools can publish to or limit views by sections.
A course with multiple sections is associated to multiple sites (based on instructor preference) with SIS populated sections. Student enrollment is into a section. Site tools can publish to or limit views by sections.
Professional School Courses
Virtually the same course is offered over multiple terms and is associated with a site. This site is slightly modified or versioned between terms. Student enrollment into the course is done via a separate registrar from the larger university. Student membership in the site is accomplished through a batch upload.
No-Term Course
An ongoing course is associated with a single site. Student enrollment is in the course, but is very fluid and not tied to academic terms. These types of course/site structures are seen in professional schools and distance learning environments.