Summer Online Courses A Distance Learning Alternative for

Summer Online Courses A Distance Learning Alternative for Traditional Campuses North East Regional Computing Program Annual Conference (NERCOMP) Boston Massachusetts March 18, 2003 Copyright Center for Instructional Technology, 2003. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for noncommercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

2 Who we are § Sarah Cheverton Manager of Faculty Development Services § Jim Mazoué Distance Learning Coordinator NERCOMP March, 2003

3 JMU Institutional Profile § Primarily residential, rural campus § Total Enrollment: 15 K § Undergraduate Enrollment: 14 K § Grad enrollment: 1 K § Undergraduates § Full-time: 94% § 25 yrs. or older: 2% NERCOMP March, 2003

4 Distance Learning Profile § 30 online courses § 600 students § 85% graduate level, continuing education, off-campus § Online graduate degree programs: § MBA in Information Security § CS in Information Security § Online Certificate program: § Workforce Development NERCOMP March, 2003

5 Rationale for 2002 Pilot § Determine the need for and feasibility of offering summer online courses § Provide flexible and convenient course options § Serve strategic institutional goals § Alleviate enrollment pressures § Encourage faculty development and technology integration § Provide professional development opportunities NERCOMP March, 2003

6 Project Planning § Staffed and funded by the Center for Instructional Technology (Educational Technologies) § Selection process focused on Gen. Ed courses § Faculty stipends: $2, 500 § Pre/Post-Course Assessment Surveys § Faculty Course Evaluation NERCOMP March, 2003

7 Course Description § Selected 2 sections of GWRIT 102 (general writing) § 4 -week course (usually 15 weeks) § 2 different instructors § 24 students § All returning students NERCOMP March, 2003

8 Project Planning § Instructional Technologist consultation with instructors § Assist instructor in creating detailed instructions for assignments § Create online discussion forums § Provide guidelines for general communication strategies NERCOMP March, 2003

9 Project Planning § Student Orientation § § Characteristics of Online Learning Technical Support Using Blackboard Using Centra Symposium NERCOMP March, 2003

10 Findings: Pre-Course Survey of Students § Student demographics § Most in-state but not in Harrisonburg § Half used modem connection § Reasons for taking the course § Flexible “class time” § Prefer JMU courses § Avoid transfer credit § Perception of preparedness § Most felt prepared NERCOMP March, 2003

11 Findings: Post-Course Survey of Students Student satisfaction § Flexible “class time” § Opportunity to complete coursework during summer § Well-defined weekly schedule § Detailed instructions § Ability to submit assignments online § Ability to contribute through a discussion board NERCOMP March, 2003

12 N=24

13 N=24

14 N=24

15 N=24

16 Findings: Post-Course Survey of Students Student Concerns § § § Time management/fast paced course Lack of immediate feedback and clarification Scheduling conflicts for group work Difficulty coordinating group work Requires more self-discipline NERCOMP March, 2003

17 Findings: Post-Course Instructor Evaluation (N=1) Instructor satisfaction § Well-defined weekly schedules § Using technology in a new way § Formalizing the instructional process NERCOMP March, 2003

18 Findings: Post-Course Instructor Evaluation Instructor concerns § Students not meeting deadlines § Lack of immediate feedback and contact/feeling of detachment § Lack of face-to-face interaction NERCOMP March, 2003

19 N=24

20 N=24

21 N=24

22 Findings: Post-Course Survey of Students Student Concerns § § § Time management/fast paced course Lack of immediate feedback and clarification Scheduling conflicts for group work Difficulty coordinating group work Requires more self-discipline NERCOMP March, 2003

23 Conclusions § Students found this to be valuable learning experience § Technology not a barrier to learning, but, as used, challenged effective communication § Course Designificant contribution to timemanagement and communication issues § Too short for type of course § Group-work approach presented challenges in coordination NERCOMP March, 2003

24 Recommendations § Link compensation to a structured process of instructional design and faculty development § Provide faculty development opportunities § Improve planning § Extend course duration § Limit Add and Drop activity § Provide a student orientation § Improve communication NERCOMP March, 2003

25 2003 Faculty Summer Online Course Development Institute § Planning § § § Academic Council Funding for cohort of 10 faculty $2000 stipend Applications solicited through RFP process Selection committee Proposal selection criteria NERCOMP March, 2003

26 Proposal Selection Criteria § Quality of the proposal § Impact on students’ curricular needs § Applicant’s interest in and commitment to online teaching § Support from the applicant’s department § Sustainability of the proposal § Potential to benefit teaching and learning NERCOMP March, 2003

27 Administrative Issues § Competing with enrollments in Fall and Spring courses § Tuition rates § Set at in-state/out-of-state rates § Course size § Left to the discretion of individual departments and instructors NERCOMP March, 2003

28 Institute Participants required to: § Participate in a structured series of workshops, project work and discussions § Receive approval from their academic unit and college to teach during the summer § Develop and teach an online course twice § Participate in an evaluation of the course § Showcase their work in a peer workshop NERCOMP March, 2003

29 Workshop Topics § § § § § Preparing and planning to teach an online course Course management Learner characteristics Teaching and learning strategies Assessment strategies Interactive learning Creating learning objects and modules Streaming audio and video Accessing digital library resources Copyright and ADA compliance NERCOMP March, 2003

30 Talking Points § Identify needs § Student needs § Faculty needs § Institutional Needs § Transitioning to online course delivery § Flexibility versus structure § Costs NERCOMP March, 2003

31 Contact Information § Jim Mazoué mazouejg@jmu. edu 540. 568. 7061 § http: //cit. jmu. edu/osi NERCOMP March, 2003

Summer Online Courses A Distance Learning Alternative for Traditional Campuses North East Regional Computing Program Annual Conference (NERCOMP) Boston Massachusetts March 18, 2003 Copyright Center for Instructional Technology, 2003. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for noncommercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.