Nomenclature for sub-components of OERu course

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Please cast your votes on this consensus poll by the close of your business on Wednesday 25 July 2012. Note that you need a WikiEducator account and must be logged in to vote.

Background

Respondents of Design consultation 1 recommended the adoption of a standardized naming convention for the main sub-elements of an OERu course. Feedback on the review of a representative sample of the AST1000 course materials also suggested the adoption of agreed terminology for sub-components of a course. An invitation for suggestions was posted on the OERu lists and included in the rough consensus poll below.

Key points

The intention is to achieve rough consensus for our preferred nomenclature for the sub-components of an OERu course for inclusion in our style guide. As an international network, we should strive to find generic concepts that minimize confusion and transcend national practice, for example: Some countries / institutions use the concept of "Module" as an alternative for what many call a course. (There is potential for confusion between the first and second hierarchical level if we adopt Module as the preferred concept for the second level). Some countries / institutions use the concept "Unit" to refer to the second hierarchical level. (There is potential for confusion where institutions use the concept of "Study unit" for the 3rd hierarchical level.) Guidelines are not rules - there will be justifiable reasons to use alternatives in the future.

Rough consensus poll

1. Are you a staff member of an OERu anchor partner?
   • Yes
   • No
2. Which of the following naming conventions for the sub-components of an OERu course do you recommend for inclusion in our style guide? (Taking into account the key points above and discussions on our list)
   1. Course --> Module --> Section / sub-section
   2. Course --> Module --> Topic / sub-topic
   3. Course --> Topic --> Section / sub-section
   4. Course --> Unit --> Section / sub-section
   5. Course --> Section --> Sub-section
   6. Course --> Module --> (Free choice for naming of this level, eg section, lesson, study unit, etc)
   7. Course --> Topic --> (Free choice for naming of this level, eg section, lesson, study unit, etc)
   8. Course --> Unit --> (Free choice for naming of this level, eg section, lesson, study unit, etc)
   9. Course --> "New" concept aligned with small credit components, eg Challenges equating for instance to 1 credit

Decision

The preferred nomenclature for the sub-components of an OERu course is:

• Course --> Unit --> (Free choice for naming of this level, eg section, lesson, study unit, etc)

This decision has been incorporated into the Style guide for OERu courses.