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ACC Distance Learning Course Design and Delivery
Faculty Instructional Support and ResourcesDistance Learning is committed to providing ACC faculty with useful instructional support information and resources which assists them in the development and implementation of their DL courses. For a list of FAQs for Distance Learning instructors, Early Intervention ProgramACC and Distance Learning's Early Intervention Program is an early warning system designed to assist both faculty and students. It helps Distance Learning instructors identify students who are falling behind in their academic course work. To initiate the Early Intervention process, DL instructors can complete an Early Intervention Request Form. Computer Based TestingDL instructors have the option to deliver secure computer based tests in an authorized ACC Testing Center. These exams are delivered in Blackboard but via a secure, proprietary LockDown browser technology which is only available in an ACC Testing Center (CYP, EVC, NRG, PIN, RGC, RVS, SAC). The setting to make the Blackboard exam secure is set using a desktop software package called the Respondus Authoring Tool. Faculty reference information on the Respondus Authoring Tool, including how to obtain the software, is available at: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/respondus/. Student reference information on how they can take a secure, computer based test in the Testing Centers is available at: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/respondus/students.html. Instructors can also post this link within their Blackboard courses for students to reference. It is strongly recommended that students familiarize themselves with the process for taking a secure, computer based test before they go to a Testing Center. Distance TestingDistance testing is available to DL instructors who want to deliver exams to DL students who are outside of Austin. These can be students in other cities, other states or even other countries. Distance testing offers DL instructors the flexibility to offer their exams to students all over the world. View more information on the Distance Testing program DL Faculty Support ResourcesSome of the information available on the DL faculty resources page are: DL articles of interest, DL project updates, FAQ's, new faculty orientation information, ACC Helpdesk, secure computer based testing information, and so on. In addition to ACC resources, Distance Learning has also made a reference page of DL resources for instructors. Consolidated URL Resources for DL and ACC Student ServicesDistance Learning provides instructors with a link to a student reference and resource information web page which contains all applicable ACC college-wide student support service information that a student needs to successfully complete a DL course at ACC. It is strongly recommended that instructors include this student resource link in their course syllabus. Instructors do not have to wory about compiling a list of resources for students, they merely need to include the following URL in their course syllabus to provide all the support information that students need throughout a semester: http://dl.austincc.edu/students/resources.html. Having a centralized student resource area is the most effective way of disseminating important student support information and it also satisfies one of the requirements of SACS. Providing students with technical support information, college, department and course resources, as well as other important support information is an extremely important factor in whether or not a student is able to successfully complete a DL course. This information needs to be provided to students in the DL course syllabus. Technical information and Requirements for StudentsIt is important for DL instructors to outline their technical expectations and requirements for students. Technology is the primary way that students interface with course content and so having a working knowledge of the technology used in a course is an essential component in determining the success of a student in a DL course. A list of available technical resources for students can either be provided by the instructor or the instructor can post a link in his or her course syllabus (recommended). It is recommended that each DL instructor provide students with a link to Distance Learning 101 information which contains important information about taking a DL course. View more information on the technical skills for DL Students and the Technical Skills Checklist at: http://dl.austincc.edu/students/TechCheck.html. DL CounselorIn addition to the online references and resources available for DL students, there is also a Distance Learning Counselor who can assist students who have questions specific to DL. The Distance Learning Counselor is Carol Townsend, 223-8187 or townsend@austincc.edu. DL instructors may want to include this information in their DL course syllabus along with other important student support information and online resources. DL WebliographyThis webliography page contains links to important reference information and resources for Distance Learning instructors such as: how to create an online syllabus, MERLOT online learning materials, online educational resources, 10 easy steps on how to create a course in Blackboard, etc. Download Adobe Reader to view and print PDF files. |