Course Introduction, Part 2

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Workshop
Evaluation

Creating Distance Learning Courses

Course Introduction, Part 1

Welcome! We're glad you're here. This workshop was developed jointly by the Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology and UW Educational Outreach to assist you in your beginning explorations into the exciting but challenging world of virtual education. During the workshop, you will use electronic tools to:

  • experience several kinds of electronic teaching and learning environments;
  • familiarize yourself with basic distance learning concepts;
  • interact among yourselves and with a faculty mentor; and
  • consider application to your own courses.

We plan for the time you spend with us to be engaging, provocative, and productive.

Prerequisite Knowledge

We assume you've come with a robust curiosity and open mind, but little or no experience with distance learning to date. So we'll be teaching you the mechanics of some of the particular electronic tools as well as suggesting how they can be used effectively with learners.

Objectives

Book Icon Required Materials
  • the workshop agenda
  • a printout of the workshop Powerpoint slide set and
  • a campus resource list

At the end of this workshop you will be able to:

  • describe critical differences between classroom and distance learning course development;
  • consider how differing instructional design approaches affect course development;
  • outline the structure and features of an effective distance learning course;
  • access and use a few online tools for course communication and interaction, including the Catalyst tools E Post; QuickPoll, Peer Review, VirtualCase, and WebQ;
  • start thinking about how to apply what you've learned to your course(s); and
  • find campus resources to assist you as you develop your course.

Required Materials

You will need both print and electronic resources to complete this workshop successfully. Print materials required include:

  1. the workshop agenda - use this to gauge our progress through the workshop, and to review the function of each section of our work together;
  2. a printout of the workshop Powerpoint slide set - use this to take personal notes, capture and review critical concepts, and gauge our progress through the workshop; and
  3. a campus resource list- use as reference as you subsequently develop your own course.

These materials are available from the course instructors.

Electronic resources required include:
  1. a computer with World Wide Web access;
  2. A Web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, versions 4.0 or higher. (Please note that the America Online (AOL) interface is not supported. Contact your service provider for information on how to download a different browser);
  3. an Internet connection mode (modem, cable, DSL or T1) of at least 56k speed, preferably faster.
  4. Ability to read Java Applets and Adobe Acrobat files. The latest browser versions will do this automatically. Check with the commercial vendors' Web sites for information on free downloads of appropriate "plug-ins" if you have an older browser. Or contact the UWEO helpdesk at helpdesk@ese.washington.edu.
  5. (optional) For viewing and listening to audiovisual materials, a media player such as RealPlayer or MS Mediaplayer and a sound card. Check with the commercial vendors' Web sites for information on free downloads of appropriate "plug-ins"

These electronic resources are available to you in a UW general access computer lab, Catalyst collaboratory, or your own academic department, home, or office.

Proceed to: Course Introduction, Part 2