Distance Learning Mentoring Group
Minutes for May 3 , 2007, 4 P.M - 5 : 3 0 P.M. AS 192
In attendance at the DLMG meeting: Allie Marino, Erica Morley, Gretchen Berning, Janell Pierce, Ray Gless, Keith Anderson, Thom Schuett, Greg Hocutt, Kim Hohol, Elizabeth Atencia-Oliden, Karen Blevins, Aileen Ormiston, and Peggy Johnson.
Kim, Gretchen, Karen and Erica showed the online courses they have developed.
Kim's Nutrition Course
The nutrition department wants all their online courses to follow the same format, which includes creating them using Contribute software. This is a challenge for Kim as she developes her online Weight Management Theory course. Kim is working with James Bowles to resolve problems preventing Kim from consistently accessing Contribute to work on her course. Thus, Kim showed another nutrition online course to faculty, so they could see the format she will use. Kim has many lessons developed but is having difficulty uploading them with Contribute.
The course syllabus includes multiple links to MCC resources, such as the Distance Learning tutorial at http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/distance/
Students submit a Syllabus Acknowledgement Form and have it screened by Turnitin.com. Kim will also use the Turnitin.com gradebook for her students.
The course calendar Kim's students will use shows assignments due by Sunday at 11:59 P.M. Kim intends to have assignments graded by the following Wednesday.
Students will complete 1 to 2 chapters per week. They will not take tests but will participate in online discussions, complete assignments and two major projects. One project involves watching the show Supersize Me (on DVD) and answering specific questions about the show. The second project is a dietary analysis, based on a 3-day dietary log and 24-hour exercise log.
Thomson, the publisher of Kim's textbook, may have some online resources Kim can use in her course. Eventually she would like to be textbook free with her course, as there are excellent, current nutritional resources online.
Gretchen's Media and Society Course
Gretchen's course homepage is very colorful and artistic. When she showed her course to a colleague, he suggested she simplify her initial draft. Gretchen took his advice.
There are 12 Learning Modules in Gretchen's course. Students have one week to complete most modules. Students begin with a Getting Started module. It includes the course syllabus. Students take an online syllabus quiz.
Each Learning Module contains a lesson (developed with SoftChalk), a Powerpoint presentation (Gretchen plans to add audio later using Audacity), readings, a discussion, assignment, and an online quiz. This format is kept consistent throughout the course, which helps students know what to expect. Students will also take online essay tests.
Karen's ARC GIS Course
Karen's course is focused on teaching students how to use ARC GIS software. Students need access to an extensive database. Karen is working with MCC staff to figure out how best to give students access to this database. They may be given it on a CD-ROM.
Karen will send students an introductory email to the course. They start with an online Welcome file. Detailed objectives for the course are explained.
A new Learning Module (developed with SoftChalk) is accessed by students every two weeks. Each Learning Module lists specific objectives and then presents a short Powerpoint presentation on concepts.
Students can't see a subsequent Learning Module until they have submitted the assignment due from the previous Learning Module. Students complete two major projects and two exams in the course, which provide evidence they have successfully mastered ARC GIS software.
Students enrolled in Karen's online class can come to the GIS lab on campus to access technical help if they so desire.
Karen is using the WebCT Mail tool, Discussion, Chat, and Weblink tools.
Karen is using the Calendar widget available from the CTL website at http://ctl.mc.maricopa.edu/_resources/helpdocs/workshops/flash_components/FlashXMLCalendar.html
Erica's Professional Applications of Fitness Principles Course
Erica has not taught this particular course on campus previously, so it is a challenge to develop the online version. In addition, her department decided to change textbooks a few weeks ago, so Erica is having to wait to get the new textbook materials to complete her course. She really likes the new textbook however, and the lab manual that accompanies it.
Students can only see the syllabus when they first log on to the course. The syllabus contains all software download links that students will need. Erica is using SoftChalk to create her online files, which are organized into Learning Modules. Students must pass a quiz on the syllabus before they can view any other course materials.
One of the student's first assignments is to email their instructor and send a photo to be posted online of either themselves or something important to them.
Reading assignments come from both the textbook and weblinks. There is a quiz on each section of the course and students post to a discussion board.
Students will take a midterm and final exam via phone interview or an on-campus interview.
Wrapping Up DLMG
I have very much enjoyed working with all of you in DLMG this semester. You're a creative group with a lot of energy. You are on your way to delivering some high-quality online courses that MCC will be proud of. I am available via email during the summer (johnson@mail.mc.maricopa.edu) . Melanie is available in the CTL most of the summer for appointments/questions/work sessions. Her phone number is (480) 461-7799 and email is mkroening@mail.mc.maricopa.edu. The phone number for the CTL main desk is (480) 461-7366. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to contact us.