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ACC Distance Learning Course Design and Delivery
DL COURSE DELIVERYThe more thorough a DL instructor is during the planning phase of a DL course, the fewer issues and problems there will be during the implementation or delivery phase of the course. It is recommended that DL instructors take note of what is working and not working throughout the delivery of a DL course and that they make ongoing adjustments to their courses as needed. View more information on DL Course Delivery Resources. Technology Usage when delivering a DL PCM CourseTechnology plays an essential role in the delivery of a DL course. Technology is the primary way instructors interact with and communicate with students. Not only do DL PCM instructors need to be proficient with Blackboard but they also need to communicate to students how technology will be used in the course, and what the technical requirements are for the course. In addition, a DL instructor needs to communicate what the expectations of a student’s technical proficiency are in order to successfully complete the course. It is important for DL instructors to communicate this information during orientation of the course delivery phase. Interacting and Communicating with DL students when delivering a DL CourseInteracting and communicating with students on an on-going basis is one of the most critical factors in determining the ultimate success of a DL student. Interacting and communicating with students on a regular and consistent basis is an effective way to monitor and track their progress during the delivery phase of a course. The type of interactions, how often the interactions take place, how the interactions and communications support the course's learning objectives, how quickly an instructor communicates with and provides feedback to DL students are all important factors in delivering a successful DL course. Providing Feedback for StudentsProviding timely feedback for students is very important in a DL course because it gives students an ongoing gauge as to how well they are doing. In a face to face classroom, the student and instructor can directly interact and the instructor can provide virtually instantaneous feedback on exams, assignments, course activities, etc. With a distance learning course, however, the instructor and student are separated. This separation can often lead to a student feeling isolated. If a student does not receive timely feedback, this sense of isolation can grow and can eventually lead to the student withdrawing from the class. Feedback or lack of it, therefore, can directly impact student motivation. Establish a process of how you will provide feedback to students and how quickly you will respond. some important to consider are:
Using the Early Intervention ProgramKeeping track of a student's progress is an important part of teaching a DL course. Taking a proactive role in monitoring a student's academic progress can potentially help to reduce the risk of a student dropping a DL course. During a semester, a DL instructor can monitor and track a student's progress to ensure that the student is not falling behind or at risk of not completing the course. The following are some academic indicators to gauge whether or not a student is a candidate for the Early Intervention program when he or she:
To participate in the Early Intervention Program, a DL instructor must complete the online Early Intervention form. BlackboardBlackboard is the primary way in which distance learning instructors interact and communicate with their students. ACC's Blackboard Support website provides a important Blackboard reference and support information for DL instructors. Testing and Assessments for DL CoursesThere are several testing options available for DL instructors. The first testing option is available to DL instructors through Blackboard. Faculty can deliver a wide variety of assessments and exams via Blackboard. View more information about developing and delivering assignments using Blackboard. Distance Learning course exams can also be administered on campus through the ACC Academic Testing Centers. DL faculty with students living outside the Austin-area may choose to have tests delivered at an authorized, proctored testing facility through DL's Distance Testing Program. Secure, computer-based exams can also be developed in Blackboard using the Respondus Authoring Tool. These secure exams can then be delivered in an ACC Testing Center. Monitoring a DL CourseMonitoring a DL course is an effective way for a DL instructor to see what's working and what's not working when delivering a DL course. It provides an opportunity for a DL instructor to make adjustments to the course to meet students' needs and to accomplish course learning objectives. After you have delivered your DL course, the next step is to evaluate it. Download Adobe Reader to view and print PDF files. |