Plan > Build > Teach
Content
Which content can be converted into a digital format? Which material will you need to replace?
Syllabus
Begin by collecting the syllabi from sections of your course that you or another faculty member has already given. If possible, gain access to a copy in word-processing format (.doc, .docx, .odt) or a portable document format (.pdf). Changes will need to be made when creating the syllabus for your course and having the example documents in an easily-edited format will save you time while planning.
Based on both the number of weeks in your course, class sessions will be made up of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Synchronous sessions involve live interaction between students and the instructor via web conferencing or webinar tool such as Blackboard Collaborate. Asynchronous sessions are more flexible in that students are expected to cover material (often pre-recorded lectures, video, etc) without direct guidance from the instructor for those sessions. Decide which class sessions will need to be synchronous, cover topics requiring special guidance on the part of the instructor. Examples of Course Structure Statements
Look over these examples of statements you can use to explain how your online course will run. Having this outlined early on will help avoid confusion when you begin teaching. Example 1 Our class “weeks” will be from Thursday-Thursday. Weekly homework assignments must be uploaded no later than 5pm each Thursday. If you have not posted and/or responded to the weekly discussion board question by that time you will be marked as absent for the week. Review the Course Schedule for an overview of our weekly schedule and the dates of each week. New assignments and discussion board questions will become available 5pm each Thursday. Specific due dates for assignments are listed in the schedule and can also be found in the course calendar. Example 2 The course will be broken up into "modules". Each module will run for two weeks. In the Laulima class there will be a link for every module. That link will bring you to a page much like this one in which there will be an introduction to the topic(s) for that 2 week period and a list of the readings and instructions for the assignment(s) along with due dates. Be sure to check into the course regularly and pay very close attention to the schedule to stay on track. Assignments may overlap or be due in a time frame shorter or longer than a module so keeping a calendar and being organized is important. In addition to the links to each module page, there will be an "assignments" section in which you can see a description of a particular assignment with its instructions, readings and due dates. Example 3 Course Format: a) Course materials and resources will be posted on Laulima (laulima.hawaii.edu) each week. b) Students will be expected to complete assigned readings/viewings weekly. c) Students will submit assignments in Laulima and using Voicethread (www.voicethread.com). d) Students and instructor will meet via Elluminate periodically. e) Students will complete a final project. Example 4 Course weeks run from Monday through Sunday. Readings and original discussion contributions are due Wednesdays at 11:55PM, quiz questions on Fridays at 11:55PM HST, peer replies by Sundays at 8PM HST. Projects will have their own specific instructions and deadlines. Summarizing:
ReadingsBased on availability, it may be reasonable to use web-based resources for your readings during your course. Many free and open-source educational resources can be used without cost. If time or resource constraints prohibit using online resources, your online learners can purchase a printed copy of the textbook that you prefer to use. Full-text electronic copies of textbooks are available for a fee (often lower than print) and should be used by students that are comfortable with computer technology.
Articles and papers that you would like to use in your course can be easily made available online to your students. Scanned copies of passages and articles should be saved in .pdf format, requiring no special software to be read and annotated by your students. The later section BUILD will cover tools to help make digital copies of your course materials. (Wong A/V Center info and link) LecturesMost class sessions will involve lectures centered on the topic being covered. Make the most of your synchronous sessions by having students watch/view longer recorded lectures outside of class time or during asynchronous sessions. Familiarizing yourself with Blackboard Collaborate (or whichever tool you use for class meetings) will save you time, making your online class run more smoothly.
Video and FilmsLectures and talks that are hosted on the web can be included in your syllabus and class schedule, provided you have permission from the author to show them. Video lectures on DVD can be 'ripped' into an electronic format fairly easily while those on VHS tapes require more work to convert.
The Sinclair Library website includes many free online videos, listed here. Go to Activities > > |
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