Build - Content Development Strategies

Once you’ve aligned the outcomes, assessments, content, and activities, it’s time to start finding and building content. It’s entirely possible that, by this point, you’ve been given the department’s choice for the textbook for this course. If so, this section of the course will help identify strategies for supplementing that material.

The number one resource for building content will be the Reference Librarians at the college. They are experts at finding materials and want to work with you to find materials for your courses. You can search for them at refhelp@highline.edu.

Most likely, the content you need will be available from a mix of sources, including content you build yourself, “open access” materials, and Open Educational Resources (OER).

Developing Your Content

Canvas has a set of built-in tools for presenting content, including Pages, Files, and integration with Google Drive (Sheets, Draw, Docs, etc.). Details on these can be found in the remaining modules in this course.

In addition, there are a number of other resources available to instructors at Highline:

• For recording lectures, the Panopto lecture capture system is integrated with Canvas.
• For recording demonstrations of something on your computer or short lectures for online courses, both Panopto and Camtasia are options.
• For live-action video, such as demonstrations of lab procedures, the college’s Video Production group is available.

Open Access and Library Materials

Open access materials refer to materials that are available on the internet, but are often copyrighted, e.g. YouTube videos, web sites, blogs. They are usually free to the student, but often draw revenue from advertisement or selling user data. 

Through the library, you and your students have access to a wide array of journal, magazine, and e-book databases, as well as several databases of captioned videos. 

• Advantages: Freely available. Can be assembled from small collections of items and highly targeted to your needs. May be more culturally relevant materials. The Highline Library has extensive collections of journal and magazine articles, documentary films, etc.
• Disadvantages: Web sites are not controlled by you, so they can disappear without warning. Non-library materials are often not accessible to students with disabilities (e.g. inaccessible web sites, auto-captioned YouTube videos). Advertisements can be distracting or inappropriate. Accessibility of many materials is poor.
• To obtain: Search on the internet or the Highline College Library home page, and provide links in your Canvas course. Note: There are specific ways to link to library resources. Contact the Reference Librarians for assistance.

Open Educational Resources (OER)

OER range from single-subject assignments to full textbooks. They can be used, customized or updated, and kept in your course or collection without violating copyright law. They are licensed based on what is called “the 5Rs” - Reuse, Revise, Remix, Redistribute, and Retain.

• Advantages: Competitive in content quality with proprietary textbooks, for a fraction of the cost. Can be delivered as a low-cost printed book or a free online source. Can be modified (remove content, add content, change examples, etc.) to better align with class outcomes and cultural diversity.
• Disadvantages: Limited availability in some disciplines. Procurement process is less well defined. Some materials may not meet accessibility standards.
• To obtain: Search online repositories or contact the Reference Librarians for assistance. Print editions can be ordered via department secretaries or the bookstore. Some good lists for searching:
  • OpenWA's Textbook Resources Links to an external site. or Course Materials Links to an external site.
  • Highline Library's list of OER by academic discipline Links to an external site.

Textbooks

Textbooks can include discipline-specific books (e.g. Introduction to Psychology) or broad-distribution books used for academics (e.g. Malcolm Gladwell’s latest).

• Advantages: Can be a comprehensive, single resource for the class. Many have online homework/grading tools available for an extra cost. Sometimes cheaper e-books are available. High production values.
• Disadvantages: Expensive- many students will not have them for the first few weeks, if at all. Can’t be edited or customized. E-books often use proprietary formats and require good computer/broadband access instead of mobile phone/tablets. Publishers are reluctant to provide accessible versions of content.
• To obtain: Publishers often provide free review/desk copies and demos of online tools. Requests for the book go through your Division secretary.