Course Revision

In any course, classroom, Web-based, or otherwise, I consider questions as a chance to improve the content. Somehow, a student didn't understand the material for some reason. There will always be a question and it's next to impossible to write or lecture in a way that everyone will understand the first time through, but it could be something to strive for.
Course changes will need to be made depending on what you find during your evaluations. Once this data has been analyzed, you can begin your rewrite plans. Minor rewrites such as clearing up a vague paragraph, can be made while the course is in progress. I use FAQs and electronic mail for those topics that are larger as I've found that changing too much of the online text, while class is in session, will do more to confuse the students.
Understandably, we want our work to be correct and up-to-date. In this age where nearly every field of endeavor is going through tremendous changes and advances, it is next to impossible to keep up. Because of this, I like to think that all Web pages are out of date anyway. I use this opinion, not as an act of pessimism, but as a springboard to more effective changes.
Remember that each change that you make will affect your students, especially if a class in in session. The question to ask then, is not "How can the Web pages be corrected and updated instantly?", but rather "What exactly am I to teach?", and in that scope ask, "Which changes can be held for awhile, batched, and which can be communicated all at once?" Of those that are batched, which can be held for only a few days, weeks, or even months?
I also keep an offline copy of the course material, often making changes to it while the course is being run. I use the FAQs and mail as key elements in my rewrites. Once the course has reached completion, I go over the course's strengths and weaknesses and make any other changes I feel are necessary as they apply to the goals and objectives. Once revisions are made, the material is made available to other instructors and subject masters.
Rewrite plans will change. Allow it to happen. Some of the factors that will affect the plans are:

changes in policies - new rules on what must or may be done, and by whom. Your institution will probably make such changes, but it's not uncommon for a client site to set requirements.
system enhancements and changes - Here, I define enhancements as major changes and new features that are added to the server, whether it be scheduled or unannounced. Changes are minor modifications in the server environment that will affect your pages.
errors in communication - vague, unclear, or misleading text and diagrams on your pages. This also includes errors in mechanics and grammar.
technical errors - incorrect or incomplete technical information about the subject being taught.
technical changes - the addition of new material or the removal of dated content.
changes in delivery - for example, from online only and self-paced, to classroom with an instructor. The text may have to be changed to fit the environment. Then again, the text may require little change as there is now an instructor available to add to the material in lecture.

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Last Modified: February, 2005