The majority of the written content you will access for your online course is in the Course Materials. The Course Materials may include overviews, lectures, handouts, instructions, study guides, case studies, etc.

The instructor will explain how and when the Course Materials will be available. Some instructors release them once per week, while others release them all towards the beginning of the semester.

The content in Course Materials can be organized by packets or course folders. The packet assembles the materials that are related to one logical unit – week, chapter, etc. The packet may contain the materials and links to all items that relate to that topic.

Course Folders are also used to provide materials to students. These are like manila folders that you open and there may be several documents inside. Again, they are typically all the materials needed for a particular unit.