Step-by-Step Online Course Creation Guide

  1. Develop a plan
  2. Set up your Moodle course
  3. Create course modules and internal structure
  4. Set up your gradebook
  5. Add your instructional content
  6. Access help and additional resources

This guide conveys our recommended approach to setting up a basic course in Moodle at NC State. These suggestions and resources will help you incorporate some instructional design best practices to make your course more efficient and effective for you and your students.  Depending on your needs and experience, you may want to check out additional resources listed at the end of this page.

Step 1: Develop a plan

Before jumping straight into Moodle, it’s best to start with a little planning ahead of time. This will make the course creation process more efficient and manageable.

1a. Determine course learning objectives

Course learning objectives (also called student learning outcomes or course learning outcomes) are behaviors or actions that students should be able to demonstrate upon completion of the course. 

1b. Plan the course format and structure

  • Identify the major topics in the course in order to subdivide it into meaningful chunks of instruction. You can call these chunks modules, units, chapters, or topics, for example.
  • Create a course schedule to fit your topics and delivery format. 

1c. Determine your grading policy

  • Identify the assessments and activities that will be graded. 
  • If you plan to have students take exams at DELTA, schedule your exams with DELTA Testing Services as soon as possible.
  • Determine how you will calculate the overall course grade.
  • Decide on your policy for accepting late work.

1d. Construct your syllabus

A syllabus is critical for communicating the structure, function, and logistics for your course in a way that is clear to students.

Step 2: Set up your Moodle course

2a. Request your online course space

To set up Moodle for a course, you will first need to create a space for the course in WolfWare and activate Moodle. For instructions, see the Knowledge Base article on how to create a Moodle space for a class.

2b. Consider starting with a course shell

Did you know you don’t have to completely start your Moodle course from scratch? You can use the Moodle Course Copier function to create a copy of the Quick Start Course Shell or a Moodle course from a previous semester or project space.

2c. Become familiar with the Moodle interface

Be sure you know how to set up and navigate Moodle as an instructor. If you need guidance on how to do this, there are multiple ways to get assistance.

Step 3: Create course modules and their internal structure

Use the plan you created in step 1b to guide your organization of Moodle. Your organization should make it easy for students to find important and timely information quickly. This way, students spend more time learning content and less time searching for something in Moodle.

The main Moodle page can be divided into major divisions using modules (also called topics or sections). Within each module, a consistent structure with clear headings helps guide students through the content. Here are some organizational features already included in the Quick Start Course Shell (see step 2b for more on the shell) that can help.

3a. Course Resources (top section)

The Course Resources section is a great place to put items you’d like students to find easily throughout the duration of the course. These might include

3b. Start Here section

The Start Here section, especially for a fully online course, provides a clear place for students to enter the course and tells them what to do first. It can also welcome students to your course, set the tone, and share expectations, structure and flow of the course. You can explore an example Start Here section in the Quick Start Course Shell Preview.

3c. Course content module structure

A key concept for designing your modules or topics is clarity and consistency. It’s very helpful for students if, once they understand the flow of each module, things don’t change. You can use headings and indentation to structure and organize content within a module. For more detail and examples about organizing course content modules:

Step 4: Set up the gradebook

Students report relying heavily on the Moodle gradebook to track their progress and grades in the course. Setting up the gradebook provides transparency for grading which can reduce student stress and anxiety and improve success. 

Make sure your gradebook is set up to match the grading policy stated in the syllabus. Note that this step is not for creating assignments and assessments, it’s just to set up the structure of your grading policy. Use the following resources to help you set up your Moodle gradebook:

Step 5: Add your instructional content

5a. Consider accessibility

NC State has a diverse population, including many students who identify as having a disability. Use the Digital Accessibility Guide to help you ensure that every student can access and use everything you put in your course.

5b. Adding Moodle resources and activities

Moodle has a variety of resource and activity types to choose from to help deliver your instructional content and have students interact in the course. Once you are enrolled in Teaching With Moodle (see Step 2c above in this document) you can refer to Module 3 to learn about common types and how to add them to your course.

Step 6: Access additional resources and learning opportunities

Once you have followed Steps 1 through 5 to set up a basic course in Moodle, consider exploring ways to enhance the learning experience for your students.

Ask for help!

If at any time you need assistance with instructional technology or course design questions, please don’t hesitate to contact DELTA’s LearnTech Help Desk: