Web-Based Courses Web-Based Courses: Getting Started BYTE CONFERENCE February 25 th, 2011 Donald Girouard (Distance Learning Consultant) Howard Griffith (eLearning Development Consultant)

Introductions What has been your experience with Distance and Online Learning?

Web-Based Courses (WBCs) Overview of Distance Learning Models Look at who might want to use WBCs & why? What is involved in WBC development? How can teachers get access to WBCs? New things coming for WBCs Supports for teachers using WBCs What does a WBC look like? (demo) Contact information and links.

Distance Learning Delivery Models used in Manitoba Face-to-face (f2f) teaching IITV or Web Conferencing  2-way video and audio (modified f2f) Web-Based Course Option (teacher guided) Teacher Mediated Option (teacher mediated) Independent Study Option (tutor marker) Best models tend to use blended approachesblended approaches F2FISOWBC more student - student and student - teacher interaction less IITV/VideoTMO

More Information on Distance Learning Manitoba Education supports three Distance Learning Options: Web-Based Course Option: Teacher Mediated Option: Independent Study Option:

So Why Web-Based Courses?

Some Scenarios? Group share and talk Who needs Web-Based Courses? Why? or How (where) might they be used to support student learning?

Reasons for taking courses online? interest in alternative methods of learning and earning credits resolve timetabling issues / provide flexibility implementation of new curricula/courses use WBCs to fill in some gaps ( enrichment/remediation) preparing students for lifelong learning teacher availability, especially in specialized areas (ex. Mathematics, Science, and French)

2010 WBC Stats (Aug 1 st to Dec 31 st ) 50 web-based courses available ~ 1440 active sections – 525 with students – 680 with just teachers ~ 3800 student registrations – active users ~ 1160 teachers registered – 774 active users stats change everyday

2010 WBCRS Stats (Aug 1 st to Dec 31 st ) 251 requests to use WBC with distance learners 544 requests to use WBC with face-to-face class 824 requests to use WBC as a teacher resource only (data may not be accurate as this is a voluntary input) stats change everyday

Why Does Manitoba Education Develop Web-Based Courses? To support learners To support teachers and schools To provide content that is congruent with Manitoba curriculum To reflect good instructional pedagogy and authentic assessment strategies

WBC Development and Instructional Design designed to be teacher-mediated delivered asynchronously or synchronously using a learning management system (LMS) called Blackboard (previously known as WebCT) modular concept self-contained –content, learning experiences, learning activities, assessments, communication, resources, etc., in the LMS. congruence with Manitoba’s curricular outcomes teachers have designer access and course control

Supporting Student Engagement in WBCs Discussions and review of existing WBCs Addition of new design concepts and tools: –more interactivity/inquiry –alternative solutions and explanations –more student helps –reflective journaling –teacher guided class discussions –more web resources

Why Renew Courses? Changes to curriculum Outdated course content & resources Changes in instructional pedagogy & assessment strategies

Rationale: Renewal Survey

What does a WBC look like?

Web-Based Course Design

Teacher facilitated and supported learning designed to have a teacher engaged with students Curricular Outcomes supported with: Content Learning Activities –(inquiries, reflections, discussions) sound instructional Pedagogy & Assessment Strategies blended into Learning Experiences organized to create Modules

What does a Web-Based Course look like?

How To Preview a WBC? public access available login as demo (username) demo (password) The previews are limited versions of Web-Based Courses

What is the WBCRS? W eb B ased C ourse R equest S ystem teachers can get full access to any WBC

Support & Training for WBCs scheduled live workshops scheduled webinars webinar on demand, one-on-one support Online Community –tutorials, tips & tricks –guides, documents, web links –sharing alternative links for dead sites –recorded webinars and other resources & phone support

What’s on the horizon? New courses in development New version of Blackboard –more teacher tools to support student learning. Wimba collaboration tools built-in tools for communication/collaboration –easier to navigate interface

More Information Needed? Web-Based Course Availability: Web-Based Course Development: Accessing a WBC as a teacher: Other resources can be found at: Blackboard: WBC Teacher’s Online Community

Support for Web-Based Courses Howard Griffith – eLearning Development Consultant, Learning Support & Technology Unit Donald Girouard – Consultant for Distance Learning WBC, Distance Learning Unit (Winkler) Denis Myers – WBC Support Specialist, Distance Learning Unit (Winkler)

Questions??

What does a Web-Based Course look like?

Modular Course Design

Discussions, Blogs, Journals

Communication: Discussions

Communication:

Communication: Calendar public or private entries

Assignments

Assignment Dropbox

Assessment: Tests multiple choice matching short answer paragraph

Thank You!