Moving Faculty Toward Effective Course Design Ann Jensen Sr. Instructional Designer

Presentation outline Overview of online teaching and support Describe Online Course workshop –Goals –Design –Evolution –Lessons learned Share resources The San Marcos River runs through the Texas State campus.

Texas State University San Marcos –27,500 undergrads, 5,000 grads Growing at ~6% per year New 2nd campus with nursing school

Online courses at TX State Less than 1% of courses are online Most at graduate level Grassroots interest began 2-3 years ago: –Reach out to more students –Growing credibility of online courses –Large % of distance learning fee goes to departments

President …Academic Affairs Information Technology Technology Resources Help Desk General Tech Support … Instructional Technologies Support Help Desk Sakai, Connect, Etc. Instructional Design Developers Html/php, Flash, Art, Video … Support Workshop participants

Evolving needs 1. Programmatic courses – 100% online –Well-developed process –since 2003 –3-semesters, ADDIE model First 2 semesters: –Analyze, Design, Develop 3 rd semester field test: –Implement, Evaluate –Some programming, art, video resources available –E.g., Master’s of social work program

Evolving needs 1. Programmatic courses – 100% online

Evolving needs 2. Small projects funded by resource grants –Grants in Instructional Technology (GIT) –Small hardware incentive (netbook, iPad) –Small-scale projects: tutorials, demonstrations, simulations, videos, e.g.: Videos on forensic techniques Flash tutorial on fractions Art history matching game Interactive video tutorial on gait analysis Urban geography of San Marcos demonstration

Evolving needs 2. Small projects funded by resource grants

Evolving needs 3. Consulting for single course development –Guidance for Online Learning Design (GOLD) –1-semester “contract” –Small hardware incentive (netbook, iPad) –Weekly ID/instructor coaching sessions –Deadlines met = ITS student worker builds course

Evolving needs 4. Faculty development –90-minute workshops Building Online Community Using Online Discussions Effectively Survival Skills for Online Teaching Online Management and Communication Online Collaboration –40-hour workshop Creating and Teaching an Online Course

Workshop: Creating and Teaching an Online Course Hybrid 8-day format (3 days F2F) Assignments ≈ 40-hours 2 sessions per year: May and July 12 instructors / session Provide $600 stipend Faculty apply: –Immediacy of need –Departmental support –Past use of TRACS

Workshop design Pedagogy versus technology Instructor in student role Model best practices, e.g., –Observable objectives –Aligned with assessments and activities –Online and F2F are integrated –Effective discussion forum facilitation 1:1 consultation with instructional designer

Workshop organization Go-to place for schedule and assignments Provides the bulk of the content Submit module planning documents Practice quizzes reinforce content Q&A and discussion assignments

Out of class

Key topics Immediate feedback Small group discussion Access to presentations & resources via Modules Key topics Immediate feedback Small group discussion Access to presentations & resources via Modules

Forums

Pre-workshop assignments Learning module Forum (role of online instructor) Syllabus quiz Brief Connect orientation

Workshop assignments Planning matrix for hypothetical module

Workshop assignments Planning matrix for own course

Workshop assignments Connect session: Using Forums Effectively

Workshop assignments Quizzes: Copyright, Online vs. hybrid Build learning module for own course Give feedback on other instructors’ modules Forum participation Formative evaluation plan

Technology training Focus of 2 nd in-class day Learning modules: –Overview: Narrated screen recording –Independent exercises –Focus on best practices

Technology training

Before After

Technology training Forums –30-minute presentation - new/less familiar features –Brief hands-on exercise Assessment (aka Tests & Quizzes) –Optional, break-out room

Supporting materials Templates –Planning matrix –Site design –Student perceptions survey Examples –Planning matrices: online, hybrid –Syllabii –TRACS courses (with viewing guides) Best practices –Learning Modules design –Assignments

Workshop evolution & FormatF2FHybrid # of days55-78 StipendNo$600 Offerings1 / year 2 / year Applicants Hypothetical module Plan & buildPlan only Own module Plan & buildPlan onlyPlan & build ResultsMixed Positive but… Mostly positive!

Contact info Feel free to contact me: –Questions? – documents: syllabus, planning matrix, presentation, etc. –Access to workshop site Ann Jensen

Workshop goals Complete according to best practices: –Conduct instructional planning –Develop online content, activities, and assessments –Construct and participate in discussion forums Explore related to online teaching Gain hands-on experience with TRACS Collaborate with peers, exchange ideas and feedback