Checklist for Building a SPARK Course

The following steps will help you create your course in SPARK. If you are still trying to decide if you should use SPARK, see our SPARK Overview pages.

Note: You can use SPARK's Selective Release options to hide unfinished items or control student access to tools or to other course materials.

1. Plan the course on paper
   • What is your primary purpose for using SPARK?
   • Sketch out possible pages and their links.
   • List the activities and tools you expect to use.
   • Label pages in rough table of contents (titles & file names).
2. Collect course content
   • Convert existing files to HTML or PDF.
   • Create new content as needed.
3. Open & customize the course online
   • Edit course title and other information on the course Home Page
   • Add the tools that you expect to use (e.g., Syllabus, Discussions, Assignments, etc). If this is your first semester using SPARK, we recommend you keep it simple.
4. Add content pages as needed
   • Upload files from your local hard drive to SPARK.
   • Create single links or organize your content in Learning Modules.
5. Configure & add content to course tools as needed
   • Add events to the Calendar.
   • Add starter topics to SPARK Discussions.
   • Create question pool for Quizzes.
   • Build Assignment drop boxes, etc.