Freshman Composition is a standard English composition course. Students read from a reader and write essays. This online version is distinctive in that it incorporates most of the learning activities that would happen in a face-to-face classroom. Students have discussions over their readings and listen to instructor lectures. They work in groups to identify how a thesis statement can be helpful outside of an English class. They review each other's essays in peer review activities. The organization of the Blackboard course site makes it easy for the student to know what to do. Assignments have clear objectives that tie directly back to the course objectives and forward to the major course assessments. Overall, students have a rich learning experience that encourages quality interaction with other students, the content, and the instructor.

"I have had the privilege of participating in the Blackboard Exemplary Course Program for four years - twice with a course submission and three times as a course reviewer. My participation has had a tremendous impact on my understanding of how online course design facilitates student learning. The Bb Exemplary Course Program helped identify key components of online course design. With these components in mind, I was able to view the course through the students' eyes. This allowed me to identify areas in which students might not know what they are supposed to do. Whether it was course navigation, the purpose of an assignment, or how the student would be assessed, I've learned that communication is the key to successful online course design."