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Online - Course Development Process

 

Proposing a Course

Faculty who are interested in teaching a course online must gain approval from their Division Chair and Dean. The course information should then be forwarded to DEP for scheduling.

 

Get Trained

The Technology Resource Center at WOU offers course development training to faculty who want to learn more about the Moodle. The Division of Extended Programs requests that all instructors participate in training prior to offering any courses online.

 

Creating the Course

Faculty are strongly encouraged to follow the process below when developing an online course.

 

Considerations in developing an online course:

  • Pedagogy
  • Course objectives
  • Course content
  • Course components
  • Course design
  • Instructional strategies

Set specific parameters:

  • Student activities
  • Student interaction (peer, instructor)
  • Course schedule
  • Assessment plan

Design & Implementation:

  • Get lectures, notes, assignments prepared to place online
  • Work with instructional designer to create course online
  • Have peers, students, and/or instructional designers test and evaluate the course
  • ADA accessibility

Evaluation:

  • Evaluation of DEP online courses occurs every term
  • DEP encourages faculty to review the evaluation summaries to identify ways to improve the course
  • As with on-campus class, online courses should be consistently updated and revised to fit student needs and incorporate new information

It is important that an instructor creating an online course put a lot of thought into how to manage your course online and how to create the most effective learning environment for students. DEP and the Technology Resource Center can provide individual assistance for faculty who are developing online courses. But the instructor is responsible for all course content and lecture materials. The division offering the course is responsible for evaluating course content and effectiveness to ensure the quality of the online experience. Online courses are expected to meet the same standards of rigor as traditional face-to-face courses. In addition, the Division of Extended Programs reserves the right to review the course to evaluate course standards.

 

As with a face-to-face course, a good online course should integrate various learning methods and provide students the opportunity to interact with classmates and the instructor. Faculty should include these components when developing their courses:

 

  • Course Orientation - This short document, audio or video should include some instructions for students on navigating the course and what online tools are available. This orientation should also provide information for students on how to best contact the instructor.
  • Interactive Learning – Instructors should provide opportunities for students to become active participants in the class. This can include discussion boards, online chats and group projects.
  • Required Participation – Instructors should require regular submission of assignments in order to keep students on a consistent pace toward course completion.
  • Instructor Feedback – Instructors must provide timely feedback to all student questions and submitted assignments. If certain assignments will take longer to grade, instructors need to let students know they will not receive feedback for a longer period of time. If the instructor will be away from email access for a length of time, they need to alert students to this.
  • Appropriate Media – Instructors are encouraged to integrate various electronic media into their online course. When choosing these resources, consider whether the size and type of file will be accessible to students. Will the file take too long to download? Are there copyright restrictions that prohibit you from legally using the file?
  • Professionalism – Online courses should be carefully reviewed and edited to ensure they are free of errors. Content should be updated regularly to reflect changes in dates, course materials, links, etc.

 

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Contact

Division of Extended Programs (DEP)  1.800.451.5767 or 503.838.8483 V/TTY | or e-mail: extend@wou.edu
MissionWestern Oregon University | 345 N. Monmouth Ave. | Monmouth OR 97361 | 503-838-8000(V/TTY) | 1-877-877-1593 | webmaster@wou.edu Text only
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