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ACC Distance Learning Course Design and Delivery

PLANNING A DL COURSE ORIENTATION

Although all course orientations are important, a DL Course orientation plays an especially important role because the majority of ACC DL courses are delivered online and the orientation is often the first opportunity for students to contact the instructor. The information covered in the orientation sets the tone for the entire semester and it provides students with critical, timely information needed to successfully complete a DL course. Having a thorough and detailed online syllabus can assist a DL instructor greatly in providing students with important information they need during the orientation process.

A DL course orientation needs to be delivered either before or during the first week of class. In order to maximize the effectiveness of a DL orientation, students need to be provided orientation information early in a semester. Also, the shorter the overall length of a course (i.e. 5 weeks versus 16 weeks), the sooner an orientation needs to be delivered. Information about the orientation needs to be communicated in the course notes.

DL Orientation options vary depending on the DL course delivery mode.

  • PCM. For Computer-Based (PCM) DL courses, it is mandatory that orientations be delivered online. In addition, the instructor also has the option of delivering an orientation in person.
  • ITV, PRN, DIR. The mandatory DL course orientation delivery method for ITV, PRN, and DIR and classes is face to face with an option to also deliver an additional orientation online. (It is strongly recommended that an online orientation option also be provided to increase accessibility for students who are unable to attend on-site sessions. For courses that do not offer an online orientation, two on-site orientation meetings are usually scheduled.)
  • HYD. For a HYD (Hybrid Distance Learning Course), either an online or on-site orientation can be offered.

Regardless of the delivery mode, however, some of the important questions to consider when planning a DL Course Orientation as well as the most important issues to communicate to students during the orientation are:

  • What strategies and methodologies will be used to deliver the course?
  • How will students receive and send their assignments, exercises and tests
  • Will Blackboard be the primary way the course content is delivered for a PCM course? If not, what else will be used or what will be used in its place? (i.e. course web site)
  • How will feedback be provided to students? (i.e. email, teleconferences, face to face, etc.)
  • Is the course content and information easy to locate and use by students?

View additional information on DL Orientations.

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