Folio Quickstart Guide
Online instruction is typically organized by “learning modules” – individual units of learning that begin with a set of learning objectives and end with assessments to determine how well students meet the objectives. Modules are typically scheduled weekly or by-weekly.
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Instruction through Content
In an asynchronous online classroom, content becomes the first voice of the instructor since it “speaks” for instructors in their absence. Instruction within a learning module typically consists of materials (assigned readings, electronic documents, multimedia presentations) and activities (assigned tasks, discussions, assignments, quizzes). Activities may be graded or ungraded.
Instruction through Feedback
After students complete and submit evidence of engaging learning materials, online instructors engage students through guidance and feedback to encourage and elicit performance. Feedback may be automated using Folio grading rubrics and standardized quiz question feedback, but personalized responses through email, discussion, and other communication tools helps students feel the instructor is aware of their presence and personal learning paths.
While use of the Faculty Center’s online template is not required, web pages (HTML files) are the most practical and efficient file format to deliver content (text, images, multimedia, and web links) to online students – which is not to say you cannot use other document types (Word, PowerPoint, PDF) for your instruction as well. However, if you can use Microsoft Word, you already have the means to understand how to use Folio’s web page editor.
With Template: Complete Steps 1 through 14 to practice using the Folio Template and the most common Folio tools and features used to create online learning modules.
Without Template: Complete Steps 4 through 14 to practice using the most common Folio tools and features used to create online learning modules.
Instructions
Please submit a request for a new sandbox if you do not already have one.
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Instructions
Your sandbox should not have any content. If it does, please delete all modules, content, and tools. If you need assistance, contact the Faculty Center.
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Instructions
Select Learning Module 1 from the template to build out a single unit of learning.
Each module page has a specific purpose. The Introduction Page is probably the most important page in a learning module as it is typically used to explain how the instructional activities for the module are organized and scheduled.
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Instructions
Review how modules are managed and rename Module 1 to describe the instructional topic you will cover.
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Instructions
Support instruction with any additional files (Word, PowerPoint, PDF) you wish to add to the module. Desire2Learn refers to content as “topics”.
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Add electronic documents (topics)
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Instructions
Edit gradebook settings before creating assessments. You can change your settings later if you change your mind.
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Instructions
Create a quiz and link it to the gradebook.
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Instructions
Folio rubrics are quite powerful and make the grading process much more efficient. Create an analytic rubric for a discussion activity or an assignment activity.
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Instructions
Create a discussion assignment. Add a grading rubric (if desired) and link to the gradebook.
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Create Forums, Topic, & Threads
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Instructions
Create a Dropbox assignment. Add a grading rubric (if desired) and link to the gradebook.
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Instructions
Help students navigate Folio with content links to quizzes, discussions, assignment dropboxes, and other tools assigned during your module.
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Instructions
Create a News Item describing what will happen during the learning module.
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Instructions
Create a Calendar Event based on a planned schedule of activities in the module.
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Last updated: 11/21/2023