Online Course Management Course Protocols

Course Protocols Expectations for the students Expectations for the facilitator Include: Announcements Email courtesy Assignment submission guidelines Time-management expectations Frequency of participation Approach to obtaining support

Announcements Information: Communicate to Students: Post frequently Post before set time Use friendly language and humor Include reminders for assignment due dates and course protocols Communicate to Students: Days and time of announcement postings Additional announcements as needed When to check for new announcements Type of information in announcements

Email Courtesy Information: Communicate to Students: Specific header Email etiquette: Be polite Get to the point (short messages) Require long messages are attachments Model email courtesy Be prompt in replying Set up online “office hours” Communicate to Students: Required header to use in subject line Who to contact Approximate time to expect response Best time to contact Requirements for email etiquette Online “office hours”

Assignment Submission Information: Specific protocol for naming file Prompt feedback Communicate to Students: Required method to name file How to submit Time assignment is due When to expect feedback How feedback will be delivered

Time Management Information: Communicate to Students: Instructors must manage time to: Review student work Read emails Upload course documents Post announcements Facilitate course discussions Be online for “office hours” Communicate to Students: Reminders for due dates of assignments Reminders for where students should be on assignments Notices for instructor response time on assignments and email

Frequency of Participation Information: Determine when content will be available to students Facilitator must participate more frequently than students How to deal with students who are not meeting expectations for participation Communicate to Students: When content will be available Required frequency of participation Consequences for not participating as expected How facilitator will monitor participation

Approach to Obtaining Support Information: Determine how to be contacted (email, phone, discussion thread, etc.) Determine who to contact Instructional support Technical support When support will be readily available Communicate to Students: How to contact the course facilitator Days and times for online “office hours” Who to contact for technical support When support will be readily available

Additional Resources Managing Electronic Communications http://www.rit.edu/~609www/ch/faculty/effective6.htm UCF: Component protocols (sample protocols) http://reach.ucf.edu/~slbasics/protocols.htm