Course and Site Structure Patterns Draft
The following are course and site 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.
Key:
- Red text indicates data expected to be shown in the user interface.
- <Green text> indicate available data from a Student Information System (SIS) expressed in terms from the data dictionary.
- Those institutions having a specific pattern are listed in the "Examples:" after each pattern.
To Do
We get more specific documentation for the listed examples as well as examples from other institutions.
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.
Examples: Stanford # 2, U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
A course with multiple lectures and sections 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 or section. Site tools can publish to or limit views by sections.
Examples: U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
A course with multiple lectures and sections is taught by two instructors. Each lecture/section set is associated with single site with instructor and/or student populated sections. Student enrollment in a section put him/her into a lecture, or vice-versa. Site tools can publish to or limit views by sections.
Examples: U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
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.
Examples: U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
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.
Examples: Stanford # 6a and b, U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
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.
Examples: Stanford, U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
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.
Examples: Stanford, U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
Language Courses
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.
Examples: Stanford # 5d, U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
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.
Examples: Stanford # 5d, U-Arizona, UC-Davis, UC-Berkeley
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.
Examples: Stanford Law and Medical Schools, UC-Davis Veterinary School
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.
Examples: Stanford Law and Medical Schools, UC-Davis Veterinary School