Moving Faculty Toward Effective Course Design Ann Jensen Sr. Instructional Designer aj14@txstate.edu.

Moving Faculty Toward Effective Course Design

Ann Jensen

Sr. Instructional Designer

aj14@txstate.edu

Presentation outline

Overview of online teaching and support

Describe Online Course workshop– Goals

– Design

– Evolution

– Lessons learned

Share resources

The San Marcos River runsthrough 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 DeskGeneral Tech

Support

…

Instructional Technologies

Support

Help DeskSakai, 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

• 3rd 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

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 2nd in-class day Learning modules:

– Overview: Narrated screen recording– Independent exercises– Focus on best practices

Technology training

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

2007 2009 & 2010 2011

Format F2F Hybrid Hybrid

# of days 5 5-7 8

Stipend No $600 $600

Offerings 1 / year 1 / year 2 / year

Applicants 8 24-26 47

Hypothetical module

Plan & build Plan only

Own module

Plan & build Plan only Plan & build

Results MixedPositivebut…

Mostly positive!

Contact info

Feel free to contact me:– Questions?– Email documents: syllabus, planning matrix,

presentation, etc.– Access to workshop site

Ann Jensenaj14@txstate.edu

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