1. An introduction to developing and teaching an online course
E-learning pedagogy
An introduction to developing and teaching an online course
By Benjamin Vail
18 June 2007

2. Preparing to teach Plan to convert an existing course?
Take an online course yourself
Have someone else review the course materials

3. Preparing to teach Create course outline
Make schedule for completing preparation
Remember the start date
Choose time unit – week or module
Decide when weeks start and end
Wednesday-to-Tuesday schedule recommended
Give clear directions to students

4. Preparing students Syllabus quiz Code of conduct quiz Skills survey
Be clear about schedule
Set communication rules
Tell them what software/hardware is required for the course

5. Skills survey Name: Question Comments
Yes No
Comments
I’ve participated in other online courses
I feel comfortable using
I can attach files to text files, audio files, and digital images
I can open files attached to
I feel comfortable using a discussion board, group area, chat room, or instant messenger
I can effectively search for information on the Internet
I have used course management software, such as Moodle

6. Converting an existing course
Putting a class online does not mean simply copying the syllabus and lecture notes into online documents
It takes as long to develop an e-learning course as it does to teach it
Courses can be:
100% online
Partly taught online, partly offline
Mostly offline, with some online resources

7. Teaching online Synchronous Asynchronous Teaching: using live video
Assignments: students collaborate online
Discussion: live chats
Asynchronous
Teaching: lecture is recorded
Assignments: students hand-in work during the week
Discussion: Students can post to message board anytime

8. Student activities Have students do offline reading and activities
Group activities – on and offline – are possible

9. Examples of E-learning Assignments
Required reading
Question sets & answers
Written work
Artwork
Multimedia presentations
Journal entries
Fieldwork
Interview
Book report
Web research
Self-assessments
Parts of a whole (each student researches one part of a topic and they combine their work)

10. Choose Technology Carefully
Don’t use technology just because you can
Don’t use courseware features just because they exist
Offer technical support to students
You don’t need to use only online resources

11. Before the semester starts
Prepare detailed syllabus
Make the e-learning requirements clear to students
Send welcoming
Prepare course information and post on the program homepage & your Moodle homepage
Welcome letter
Syllabus
Reading list
Grading policy
Communication plan
Expectations of student participation

12. Preparing your syllabus
Be clear about what students can expect from you
How to contact you
Your response policy
Your late-assignment grading policy
Be very clear when stating rules for assignments
Policy on plagiarism, cheating, and appropriate communication

13. Preparing your syllabus
Be clear about what you expect from students
Where they can get info about the course
When you are available to be contacted
Any synchronous or asynchronous participation

14. Preparing your syllabus
Example of requirements for students to participate:
Access to computer and high-speed internet
Adequate English ability
Comfortable using Internet and various software
Internet searching
Multimedia:
Real Player
Google Video
Youtube
WMP
Attachments
PowerPoint
Word
Excel

15. Preparing your syllabus
Be sensitive to different cultures and levels of English ability
Use specific dates to label weeks of the semester
Refer to university’s code of conduct regarding plagiarism, cheating, and appropriate communication

16. Preparing your syllabus
Tell students how to access course materials

17. Preparing your syllabus
Describe the proper sequence of weekly learning activities, e.g.
Reading
Videos
Quiz
Writing assignment
Group work, discussion

18. Communication Prompt feedback to students is important E-mail Chat
Message boards
Skype or other messenger programs

19. Copyright considerations
US agreement on “Fair use”:
Non-commercial use
Video: up to 10% of original or 3 minutes
Text: up to 10% of original or 1000 words
Music: up to 10% or 30 seconds

20. Evaluation of course quality
Have colleague review your course materials before teaching
Encourage student feedback during the semester
Offer opportunity for end-of-semester anonymous student evaluations

21. Questions?