You may have a new course to develop, a course that you just inherited, or one that needs updating. These are all prime opportunities to enhance the course, blend it, or offer it fully online. Consider the following as you make your decisions.

Expectations
What are the department's expectations for the course? What are your expectations for the course? Do both sets of expectations match? (e.g., how often will it be taught, enrollment expectations, target audience, revenue, benefits)

What are the goals for the course? Which method will best help you meet your goals? (e.g., knowledge transfer, physical skill, reducing seat capacity, attract distance learners)

What support will you require and will your department provide it? (e.g., release time, hardware, money, support staff, software, expertise, teaching assistants, shared technology resources, training, other incentives)

Who will be performing what roles in the course development? (e.g., secretary, teaching assistant, content development, technical support, marketing, maintenance, mentors)

Time commitment
Faculty who have invested time developing online materials have found the results worthwhile. However, the up front time commitment is significant. Be sure your department supports your use of time and you are not caught between conflicting demands.

Costs
Consider whether you will need to purchase hardware or software to produce the course. You may budget for media support or production. You may need to factor technical support staff, secretarial and TA costs into the equation. Allocate budgets for course development, personal learning, and teaching time.

Maintenance
Is your content time-dependent? Do you have content and links that need frequent updating? Who will perform the maintenance? Will you pass this course along to be taught by another after you have developed it? What tasks need to be performed each semester to get it ready for students?

Develop on your own or with support?
Will you develop your course on your own? Do you need assistance in course design and development, and the production of interactive media and graphics? Do you need copyright and library support?

Are you aware of the many self-help resources MSU provides? (e.g., Learning Management Systems (LMS), training resources, faculty training and development, Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs). Are you aware of MSU units who will assist you with your course development? (e.g., vuDAT, IMC, IVS, MSU Global, Writing Center, MSU Libraries, DMC). A resource such as this web site will provide you with course design ideas, technology involved, teaching and learning theories.

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