Skip to content

How to develop a Flexible module

Get guidance on the flexible module development process, from getting started, through to building and deploying your content.

Appropriate routes of support for developing your module

The most appropriate route of support for developing your module depends on which category your module falls under. Modules for the 2022/23 academic year fall into one of three categories:

  1. Modules delivered in the 2021/22 academic year to be delivered again in 2022/23 with no changes to the module leader.
  2. Modules delivered in the 2021/22 academic year to be delivered again in 2022/23 with a new module leader.
  3. Modules being delivered for the first time in the 2022/23 academic year.

All routes are designed to support Module Leaders in creating online and blended learning that is aligned to the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric for course design.

We also seek to ensure these are underpinned by NTU's principles for high-quality online learning.

We ask that you familiarise yourself with these resources before you develop or make significant changes to your flexible module.

Modules delivered for 22/23 academic year

Modules being delivered in 2022/23 with no change to the module leader

Unlike 2021/22 where content was automatically copied to the new iteration of the Module Learning Room, staff will be responsible for copying their own content for 2022/23. To help with this process, we can offer the following resources:

The Flex Team have created two Learning Rooms that provide advice about creating high quality online learning:

Our Support page provides further guidance on creating high quality and engaging content.

Modules being delivered in 2022/23 with a new module leader

Unlike last year where content was automatically copied to the new iteration of the Module Learning Room, staff will be responsible for copying their own content for 2022/23. To help this process, Organisational Development have produced the following resources:

If you are new to leading on a module but have previously been through the Flexible Module Development Process, then we would advise you follow the same guidance as for those with no change in module leadership.

If you are planning to significantly change the way a module is developed and delivered, you are welcome to book a workshop to discuss the proposed changes with a Learning Designer.

Alternatively, if you are from the School of Arts and Humanities, The Learning and Teaching Support Unit (LTSU) will provide guidance sessions. They can be contacted by email at AAH.LTSU@ntu.ac.uk.

If you have not previously been through the Flexible Module Development Process or are new to NTU, we recommend that you go through the process for new modules by submitting a Module Development Form. Please liaise with your Course Team to identify if student personas were created for your course/module last year.

“I thought [the Learning Room] was really engaging, much better than just having a 1-hour lecture staring at a PowerPoint. I liked the fact the work was split up into small videos and activities that required thought.”

School of Social Sciences student testimonial

Accessibility Considerations

It is important that we strive to be as inclusive as possible. As well as being of ethical importance, UK laws have become stricter in recent years, so we need to ensure, for example, that:

  • Documents include alt-text for images and diagrams;
  • Document styles and headings are used appropriately;
  • Text is not presented in an image format (e.g. scanned pages as images in pdf documents);
  • Link text reflects the link's destination (avoiding 'click here' style links);
  • Videos should have captions - sharing pre-recorded videos should in most cases, be done via the Video (Panopto) area of the Learning Room to add captions automatically.

We have several guides such as the accessibility considerations guide and visual accessibility reference guide to support you in creating documents that meet the needs of a wide range of students.

Useful contacts

You may also be interested in

Introduction to Flexible Learning

Find out how the Flex Team can support you to design and deliver modules that meet students' needs and expectations.

Support for Flexible Learning

Find guidance and resources to help with development and deployment of flexible learning modules.

Creating student personas and a module map

Once your initial outline and concept is created for your flexible module student personas and module maps can help you rest, align and target your content to meet the needs of your students.

Lecture Capture

Find out about using lecture capture, a tool that makes it easy to produce video content for students.

New to teaching at NTU

New to teaching at NTU? Find all the guidance and resources you need to get started with teaching and learning.