Creating a Custom Template for the Avenue Course Builder

What is a Course Builder template?

Why create a custom template?

A custom template can save time for instructors and support staff. Organizations using Avenue can have a custom template added to the Avenue Course Builder.

A template can include localized content that is common across multiple courses in an organization, such as branding, documents and forms (e.g., waivers, attendance records, and other policies), web links, course content, local orientation information, etc. Blocks can also be added to further customize a template.

Note: General eUnits from the Avenue eUnit Catalogue cannot be embedded directly in a template. However, if desired, you can include the following orientation eUnits:

• Welcome to Avenue
• Orientation to PBLA

Teachers will need to request any additional eUnits separately when creating a course using the template.

Multiple custom templates

Organizations can have several templates in the Course Builder, such as one for each of Pre-CLB, CLB Stage 1, and CLB Stage 2 courses.

What is needed for an organization to develop a template?

Custom template development is the responsibility of each organization; however, it does not require advanced editing skills. Anyone in Stage 3 of the training should be able to do this. It requires basic course editing skills. A template can be developed using any Avenue course. 

• Begin by requesting a new course from the Avenue Course Builder.
  
  
• Remember, the Course Builder can only set up a new course when a minimum of two eUnits are selected from the Catalogue. These can be deleted after the course is set up.
  
  
• New courses require the selection of a template from the Course Options drop-down list.
  
  

• Choose a template that is appropriate for the target level. It will provide activities and resources that can be used in a custom template. (Content that isn't needed can be deleted.)
  
  
• Blocks can be added or deleted in a template.
  
  
• New sections and eUnits can be added or deleted at any time. 

• When you have a completed template, send an email to [email protected] requesting that it be added to the Course Builder template drop-down menu. Include the course name and URL in the email.
  
  
• The Avenue administrators will move the course and review its contents for possible issues. They may also rename the course.
  
  
• The developer(s) will continue to have access to the course even after it is renamed and moved.
  
  
• The developer(s) will be notified of any recommended changes.
  
  
• After a template is added to the Course Builder, the developer(s) will be notified of the name it appears under in the template drop-down list.
  
  
• All templates (standard and custom) appear in the Course Options drop-down list and are accessible to all Avenue Course Builder users.
  
  
• Organizations should provide their instructors with specific instructions on how to access custom Course Builder templates.
  
  
• A template cannot be added to a course after it has been created.
  

• The template can be edited at any time; however, any changes will only affect new courses. Courses created with the original template will not change.
  
  
• Notify [email protected] if edits to a template course change the number of sections, add new sections or eUnits, or remove sections.