Once you at least provisionally decide on the learning objectives, assessments, and activities, the next step is to choose topics and the organization and sequencing of course content. It’s crucial to estimate the amount of time required for the activities you’ve planned, both within and outside of class, and to map this framework onto the academic calendar.
- Plan according to the time constraints of your course. How many times do you meet with your students and for how long?
- Think about how interruptions (weekends, holidays, etc.) will affect the flow of your course and affect student work.
- Spread out assignments and allow enough time between them, to help students manage their workload and receive feedback. Also, you do not want to create an unmanageable grading load for yourself.
Course Workload Estimator (wfu.edu) is an interactive tool to estimate how much time an average learner will need to complete the requirements of your course.
Rutgers Planning Time Calculator Template – For Faculty (Links to an external site.)