When Teachers Become Students:When Teachers Become Students:Helping Navigate the Online JungleHelping Navigate the Online Jungle

Marcy SatterwhiteMarcy Satterwhite, Business Instructor, Business Instructor

Shannon PhillipsShannon Phillips, English Instructor and , English Instructor and Academic Technology CoordinatorAcademic Technology Coordinator

BackgroundBackground

Teaching in the Online EnvironmentTeaching in the Online Environment One-credit hour course One-credit hour course (pending)(pending) Designed to prepare instructors to teach Designed to prepare instructors to teach

an online coursean online course Build Build theirtheir course as they take course as they take thisthis course course This course models the online student This course models the online student

experience experience for the teacherfor the teacher

WebCT EnvironmentWebCT Environment

ModulesModules

Preface:Preface: Requirements to Develop an Online Course Requirements to Develop an Online Course at Lake Land College at Lake Land College

Module 1:Module 1: Introduction, Getting Started, Navigation of Introduction, Getting Started, Navigation of the Course the Course

Module 2:Module 2: Organizing your CourseOrganizing your CourseModule 3:Module 3: Technology Options, Available ResourcesTechnology Options, Available ResourcesModule 4:Module 4: Course ContentCourse ContentModule 5:Module 5: Assessing Student LearningAssessing Student LearningModule 6:Module 6: Communicating with students Communicating with students Module 7:Module 7: Course Management (due dates/calendar)Course Management (due dates/calendar)Module 8:Module 8: Evaluating your finished online courseEvaluating your finished online course

PrefacePreface

Requirements to Develop an Online Course Requirements to Develop an Online Course at Lake Land Collegeat Lake Land College

Necessary FormsNecessary Forms Description of the Approval ProcessDescription of the Approval Process Online Course Past Practices at Lake Online Course Past Practices at Lake

Land College (items not in the contract)Land College (items not in the contract) PayPay Course OwnershipCourse Ownership Class SizeClass Size

Module 1: Introduction to Online Module 1: Introduction to Online CoursesCourses

What is an Online Course?What is an Online Course? Why Teach Courses Online?Why Teach Courses Online? What Are the Time Requirements to Develop an Online What Are the Time Requirements to Develop an Online

Course? Course? What Are the Time Requirements During the Semester?What Are the Time Requirements During the Semester? What Areas of Concern Regarding Online Courses What Areas of Concern Regarding Online Courses

Should I Be Aware Of?Should I Be Aware Of? Academic HonestyAcademic Honesty School Technology Problems School Technology Problems Student Technology Problems Student Technology Problems Student Excuses and Procrastination Student Excuses and Procrastination Communication Issues Communication Issues

Getting Started with DevelopmentGetting Started with Development

Module 2: Module 2: Organizing the CourseOrganizing the Course

Chapters, Units, or Learning ModulesChapters, Units, or Learning Modules Be consistent with the Layout and Structure Be consistent with the Layout and Structure Explain assignments and requirements clearlyExplain assignments and requirements clearly

Home

Syllabus Calendar Assignments Online Help Desk

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3

Map out a PlanMap out a Plan

Module 3: Technology Options, Module 3: Technology Options, Available ResourcesAvailable Resources

Technology (What’s available?)Technology (What’s available?)

1)1) Web pagesWeb pages• HTML, FrontPage, DreamweaverHTML, FrontPage, Dreamweaver

2)2) Course Management ProgramsCourse Management Programs• WebCT, WebBoard, BlackboardWebCT, WebBoard, Blackboard

3)3) Audio and VideoAudio and Video• Tegrity, PowerPoint with Audio, Digitized Tegrity, PowerPoint with Audio, Digitized

Video, RealAudio and VideoVideo, RealAudio and Video

Module 3: Technology Options, Module 3: Technology Options, Available Resources (cont.)Available Resources (cont.)

PeoplePeople

1)1) Online Help DeskOnline Help Desk Instructor and StudentInstructor and Student

2)2) Mentor Mentor Veteran Online Instructors Veteran Online Instructors

(within and outside of discipline)(within and outside of discipline)

3)3) Informational Services and Systems Informational Services and Systems (Techie Heads)(Techie Heads)

Module 3: Technology Options, Module 3: Technology Options, Available Resources (cont.)Available Resources (cont.)

Potential Technology ProblemsPotential Technology Problems

1)1) Browsers: Test the pages in multiple Browsers: Test the pages in multiple browser versions (IE, Netscape, Home browser versions (IE, Netscape, Home Page Reader)Page Reader)

2)2) Audio and Video: Provide on a CD-ROM Audio and Video: Provide on a CD-ROM to avoid lengthy download to avoid lengthy download

3)3) Backup the finished course: You never Backup the finished course: You never know when the server will go down!know when the server will go down!

Module 4:Module 4: Course ContentCourse Content

Required Pages (LLC Suggestions)Required Pages (LLC Suggestions) Welcome LetterWelcome Letter SyllabusSyllabus Units/Chapters/Modules Units/Chapters/Modules (course outline)(course outline)

Learning Objectives, Overview, AssignmentsLearning Objectives, Overview, Assignments CalendarCalendar GradesGrades Instructor InformationInstructor Information Online Help DeskOnline Help Desk LLC Important DatesLLC Important Dates

Module 4: Course Content (cont.)Module 4: Course Content (cont.)

Structuring ContentStructuring Content

1)1) Keep ConsistentKeep Consistent

2)2) Keep it short and to the point!Keep it short and to the point!

(1-1/2 to 2 pages of scrolling maximum)(1-1/2 to 2 pages of scrolling maximum)

3)3) ““Chunk” the MaterialChunk” the Material• Learning ObjectsLearning Objects

4)4) Alternative Delivery MethodsAlternative Delivery Methods• PowerPoint, PowerPoint, TegrityTegrity, Audio, Video, Flash, Audio, Video, Flash

Module 5: Assessing Student Module 5: Assessing Student LearningLearning

What is the purpose of assessment? What is the purpose of assessment? To find out if the student understands the To find out if the student understands the

concepts presented in the course and/or concepts presented in the course and/or allow the student to demonstrate their allow the student to demonstrate their ability.ability.

Module 5: Assessing Student Module 5: Assessing Student Learning (cont.)Learning (cont.)

Accomplishing AssessmentAccomplishing Assessment

1)1) Wide Variety of TechniquesWide Variety of Techniques

2)2) Guidelines and RubricsGuidelines and Rubrics

3)3) Well Designed/Defined AssignmentsWell Designed/Defined Assignments

4)4) Set Specific Guidelines (e.g., 12 point Set Specific Guidelines (e.g., 12 point font, 1” margins, word processing font, 1” margins, word processing programs, programs, MLA TutorialMLA Tutorial))

Discussion Board StructureDiscussion Board Structure

Wide Variety of TechniquesWide Variety of Techniques Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions ChatChat Review Questions/Terms/Chapter OutlinesReview Questions/Terms/Chapter Outlines Group WorkGroup Work JournalsJournals Surveys/Quizzes/ExamsSurveys/Quizzes/Exams Papers and EssaysPapers and Essays SimulationsSimulations Web QuestsWeb Quests Hands-On/Face-to-Face ActivitiesHands-On/Face-to-Face Activities

Problems/Concerns with Online Problems/Concerns with Online AssessmentAssessment

Academic HonestyAcademic Honesty

• PlagiarismPlagiarism• Cheating on Quizzes Cheating on Quizzes

and Examsand Exams• Paying another student/person to take Paying another student/person to take

course or write papercourse or write paper

Instructor Time InvolvementInstructor Time Involvement

More written work to gradeMore written work to grade

1)1) Set specific guidelines Set specific guidelines

2)2) Set Due Dates and Times Set Due Dates and Times to Collect and Grade Assignmentsto Collect and Grade Assignments

3)3) Create a RubricCreate a Rubric

4)4) Copy-n-Paste Commonly Offered Feedback Copy-n-Paste Commonly Offered Feedback (i.e., create a template document of generic (i.e., create a template document of generic messages with assignment feedback)messages with assignment feedback)

5)5) FAQ on Discussion BoardFAQ on Discussion Board

Module 6: Communicating with Module 6: Communicating with StudentsStudents

1)1) First Contact (Aids in Retention)First Contact (Aids in Retention)

2)2) Regular Reminders (Aids in Retention)Regular Reminders (Aids in Retention)

3)3) Backup Communication Backup Communication

4)4) Timely Feedback on Timely Feedback on Questions/Submitted AssignmentsQuestions/Submitted Assignments

5)5) Descriptive Comments and Suggestions Descriptive Comments and Suggestions on Graded Assignmentson Graded Assignments

Module 7: Course Management Module 7: Course Management (Avoiding Burnout/Jungle Fatigue)(Avoiding Burnout/Jungle Fatigue)

Due Dates Due Dates First Due Date (Allow Plenty of Time to First Due Date (Allow Plenty of Time to

Get Books, Add, Drop)Get Books, Add, Drop) Spread Out AssignmentsSpread Out Assignments

Regular Schedule on Regular Schedule on Regular Days (M/R Schedule)Regular Days (M/R Schedule)

Twice a WeekTwice a Week

Due Date IssuesDue Date Issues

1)1) How strict should I be with due dates?How strict should I be with due dates?• Be consistent!Be consistent!• Late Work?Late Work?

2)2) Inaccurate Email Time StampsInaccurate Email Time Stamps• Time ZonesTime Zones• Avoid midnight due dates (11:55 p.m.)Avoid midnight due dates (11:55 p.m.)

Set Boundaries: Place these Set Boundaries: Place these Guidelines in the Syllabus!Guidelines in the Syllabus!

1) Schedule Online Class Time2) Can the students call you at home about

class? If so, how late can they call? 3) Will you respond to class emails in the

evenings and/or on the weekends?4) How soon will you respond to student

questions? 5) How soon will you return graded assignments?6) What happens if the school server is down?7) Will you accept assignments late? If so, what

is the penalty?

Module 8: Evaluating the Finished Module 8: Evaluating the Finished Online CourseOnline Course

Is the Course Syllabus included?Is the Course Syllabus included? Is there a Welcome Letter included?Is there a Welcome Letter included? Is it clear what the students need to do to get started?Is it clear what the students need to do to get started? Is the course easy to navigate?Is the course easy to navigate? Do all of the links to various pages appear to work Do all of the links to various pages appear to work

properly?properly? Are your assignment directions clear and easy to Are your assignment directions clear and easy to

understand?understand? Are the due dates for each assignment clearly laid out?Are the due dates for each assignment clearly laid out? What types of discussion are used in the course?What types of discussion are used in the course? Do the students know where to go for help?Do the students know where to go for help?

Contact InformationContact Information

Marcy Satterwhite, Business Marcy Satterwhite, Business InstructorInstructor

msatterw@lakeland.cc.il.usmsatterw@lakeland.cc.il.us

Shannon Phillips, English Shannon Phillips, English Instructor and Academic Instructor and Academic Technology CoordinatorTechnology Coordinator

sphillip@lakeland.cc.il.ussphillip@lakeland.cc.il.us