EDC&I 505

Online & Distance Learning

Faculty Development for Online & Distance Learning

Where the Issues Lie

1. Concerns about "Quality"

- Online instruction can't be as good as face-to-face

- Online students aren't engaged in same way as those in classroom

- Interaction is stilted

- I can't "read" student comprehension (via body language, etc.)

2. Concerns about Time

- It will take me a long time to create/design an online course

- I will have to spend a lot more time responding to e-mail, postings, etc.

- I will have to read student work on-line (I don't like reading from a screen, and it takes longer)

3. Concerns about Competence

- I don't know how to design this sort of course

- I don't know how to work with others to design, run this kind of course

- I don't know how to organize and manage discussions or interactions in an online environment (I don't know how to do anything except lecture)

4. Concerns about Assessment

- How do I assess student work done in teams, etc.?

- How will I know it's actually the student who's doing, turning in, the work?

- I'm uncomfortable with fact that distance students have more time to complete assignments

5. Possible Resources:

- Campus ID centers

- Colleagues (esp. "opinion leaders")

- On-campus informal groups (UW: Catalyst, CTLT)

- Professional groups, societies, associations