Designing Online Courses Hope Jordan

Enhancing Online Instruction Through A Community of Inquiry Some Considerations for Increased Teaching, Social & Cognitive Presence  Class Size – Manageable class size results in increased student engagement with Instructor & more interaction with peers = Teaching & Social Presence  Add Interaction – Skype, Wimba, Phone, Meetings/Workshops = Teaching & Social  Collaborative Approach (eases frustration maximizes varied skills & knowledge)

Enhancing Online Instruction Through A Community of Inquiry  Keep it Simple – Hidden Objects (assignment sheet), Dead Links, Too Much Interaction ? – Consider 4 Basic Elements – learner, faculty, content, environment  Go Beyond the Text – Utilize External Links, Audio, Video & Resources = Cognitive Presence  Connect Course Content to Practical Application = Teaching & Cognitive Presence

Enhancing Online Instruction Through a Community of Inquiry  Utilize Technology Through Improved Online Presentations (lessons learned in SOE) = Teaching & Cognitive Presence  Break Lectures into 15 – 20 segments  Coordinate Visual Content – Charts, Graphics, PowerPoint, Samples, Pictures, etc  Require Intermittent Interaction/Response  Utilize Experts and Guest Speakers

Enhancing Online Assessment Through a Community of Inquiry  Go Beyond Tests and Papers (mid-term & final)  Include Performance Assessments (more Authentic/Real-World)  Utilize Summative & Formative  Link to Competencies & Instruction  Assess Discussion Board Content – Link to Course Readings Directly  Expand Beyond Individual to Include Group  Be Aware of Academic Honesty Issues – Communicate Expectations to Students

Resources to Consider Distance Learning in Higher Education A Programmatic Approach to Planning, Design, Instruction, Evaluation, and Accreditation - A. Rovai, M.K. Ponton, J.D. baker – Regent University Enhancing online teaching: designing responsive learning environments - M. Hicks, I. Reid, R. George Flexible Learning Centre University of South Australia content/uploads/conference/1999/pdf/Hicks.PDF Designing Online Courses: Models for Improvement - Faculty Focus Special Report Sept content/uploads/images/Report-DesignOnlineCourseFinal.pdf content/uploads/conference/1999/pdf/Hicks.PDFhttp:// content/uploads/images/Report-DesignOnlineCourseFinal.pdf