Moving Computer Science Courses Online CCSC:SE 2001 Julia E. Benson Georgia Perimeter College
Dec 29, 2015
Course Suitability
• Any course CAN go online• But not all courses will be equally
successful online• What makes your course a good
candidate for online?
YOU
• What is YOUR motivation for doing this?
• YOU have to buy in to make it work.• What would make YOU a good online
teacher?
Consider Also:
• Your audience• Your budget (time AND money)
Note: time is far more valuable than money
• Your commitment
Communications needs
• No classroom lecture, so other methods are paramount.
• Need both:Asynchronous communicationsSynchronous communications
• Methods complement, not substitute for, one another
Asynchronous Communications
• EmailStudents will DEPEND on this
• Bulletin BoardsGood for group interaction
Synchronous Communications
• TelephoneStill primary method
• Instant messaging (IM/ICQ)Spontaneous, good for one-on-one
• ChatBest for formal interactionScheduling for participation is a problem
Course Delivery Methods
• Start with “lower-tech” until you have some experience!Print media
Textbook and ancillaries are still neededWorld Wide Web pages
Complement, not replace, textbooksDownloadable files via WWW/FTP
Ditto
Are We Ready For Streaming Media?
• Audio -- maybe• Video -- maybe not
• Consider:Development costDevelopment timeConnection bandwidth
Materials Preparation
• Some materials should already be ready to go
• Others will need development• Test ALL materials before “going live”
Suggested Materials
• Web page supplements to textbook• Compilations of already-available Web
references• As many hands-on exercises and
projects as you can invent
A Specific CS Materials Issue
• Software availability• Students MUST have LOCAL access to
the software you need them to useClear in requirementsMake it easily availableDon’t insist on the very latest version of
anything!
Online Resources
• Courseware for management and resourcesTypically provides communication and
storageTends to be marketed as “turnkey” but it
isn’tTends to be idiosyncratic
Online Resources (cont.)
• “Build your own” is an option for some thingsUsually gives you more what you wantUnfortunately, YOU maintain it
(in your SPARE time!)
Access and Security
• Courseware provides a certain security for access control
• Don’t depend on it• Accept that course materials will
become public• Focus on security of assessment
materials
Migration Paths
• Don’t plan to go online in one BIG BANG!
• Start by placing static materials online for regular coursessyllabusassignments referencesnotes
Migration Paths (cont.)
• Test these materials THOROUGHLY with face-to-face students Insist on feedbackTweak them until they work, then keep a close eye on them
Migration Paths (cont.)
• Timeline: a year is desirable it still won’t be enough!
• Six months is do-able IFyou are using coursewareyou already have substantial materials
onlineyou have a very good textbook
Administrative Considerations
• TIME and MORE TIME• Online courses take MORE TIME than
face-to-faceDeveloping materialsCommunicating with studentsGrading assignments
Resources
• This presentation http://www.gpc.peachnet.edu/~jbenson/ccsc2001.ppt
• My contact information: [email protected] of Business/Computer Science
Georgia Perimeter College2101 Womack RoadDunwoody, GA 30338
Resources (cont.)
• GPC Distance Learning page http://www.gpc.peachnet.edu/distancelearning/
• WebCThttp://www.webct.com/