Online Course Final Preparation Checklist

My online course, Principles and Practices of Online Course Creation and Instructional Design, begins on Tuesday, and while I have blogged about the course several times in the past few weeks, I am now in the final stretch of preparing to teach it.

I created a simple checklist I have been using to track items that need to get done in the next few days before the course begins, and thought that perhaps it may help others preparing to teach online (or others who read this may have some suggestions I missed!).

  • Revise the course website (in the Epsilen platform) to make sure all items are filled out.
  • Take the syllabus which is in Word format and put it in the online course format. This is not necessary, but may help us navigate through it more speedily.
  • Update my bio on the website. I know this was there . . . where did it go?!?!
  • Try to figure out why I can only see from the student’s view, and not the instructor’s view.
  • Email the students again to welcome them. I welcomed them already, as well as sent them some Announcements. No response from them and no log ons to the new system. Will have to email our tech support again to try to learn more about what sorts of log on and navigation instructions they should get before class begins.
  • Finish my PowerPoint lesson slides and discussion questions.
  • Tweak the online communication / platform slide to help navigate students in the first class who get lost with the new technology. Include the help desk contact information here as well!
  • Set up the online grade book.
  • Review the readings for the first and second class.
  • Prepare some specific slides to explain the final project.
  • Post a response to the class forum “Tell us about yourself” question to model it for the students.
  • Prepare to have my computer on and all materials out and accessible prior to the class on Tuesday at 6:30.
  • Get additional treats for my dogs so I have something to give them if they start barking (in the background) while I am teaching.
  • Practice using the online synchronous system a little more (how to share slides, use the white board, etc.). I already did this, but one last practice may help. Anybody out there in the blogosphere want to try this with me on Sunday night EST?
  • Review online class recording features.
  • Review setting student rights for the online classroom space for discussions, cameras, etc.

This is my list thus far. What am I missing?

Book Selection for “Online Course Creation and Instructional Design” Class

I have finally selected the texts for my Principles and Practices of Online Course Creation and Instructional Design course that begins in another month. They are:

  1. Anderson, T. (Ed.). (2008). The theory and practice of online learning (2nd ed.). Edmonton: Athabasca University Press.
    The book is available printed or free via download at
    http://www.aupress.ca/books/Terry_Anderson.php
  2. Harper, D. G. (Ed.). (2008). Education for a digital world: Advice, guidelines, and effective practice from around the globe. Vancouver: Commonwealth of Learning & BCcampus.
    This book is available free via download at http://www.col.org/colweb/site/pid/5312

I reviewed countless printed and physically published works, and all of them lacked something or another. I found the Anderson text via searching online, and the second one was referred to me from one of the authors, Sylvia Currie.

Let the teaching and learning adventure begin!

theory-and-practice-of-online-learning1Education for a Digital World

Principles and Practices of Online Course Creation and Instructional Design

It is confirmed that I will be teaching an online class in the Fall at New York University: Principles and Practices of Online Course Creation and Instructional Design.

The course description:

Designed as an introduction for faculty, trainers, and other instructors, this course prepares you to develop and teach online courses. Topics include the application of learning theory to online instruction, online course content development, and strategies for effective online curriculum planning and delivery. Learn how to define the characteristics and needs of adult distance learners; effective ways to meet these needs through online instruction; and the differences between online courses and traditional courses with respect to class participation, interaction, course materials, and instructor involvement. Reinforce your skills with the design and delivery of an instructional unit.

While the course is online, we are requiring a synchronous weekly attendance for it, though I am planning to record the sessions. The dates for the live sessions are 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, and 11/25. The time will be from 6:30 PM 8:00 PM EST.

I am excited to be using the new Epsilen platform, that NYU SCPS just purchased and is planning to use for their expanded online offerings.

I have been speaking with colleagues all over the Web about this class, and am interested in any and all suggestions and words of wisdom for this (as well as resource suggestions!).

Project Management for Training Class Begins Tonight

nyuscps.jpgI am teaching a new class that begins tonight, Project Management for Training.

How many times has somebody in the training and development, or workplace learning and performance fields (not to mention human resource development, industrial / organizational psychology, organizational development, etc.) been told to develop a class in this or that without being equipped for managing the process itself? This is what this course is focused upon, project management of the training development and delivery function. Think about it — trainers and designers and developers and project managers are all skills and jobs in their own right, but in the learning function, they are often combined without recognizing all that is really involved. 

The description:

Whether you’re conducting a single training session for a small audience or multiple sessions for a large group, a training program–like a project in any other discipline–must have an effective plan to guide and track progress. This class provides you with a planning process and teaches you techniques to prepare and deliver training projects consistently and effectively. Focusing on logistics, rationale, scope, timescales, risk management, and budget, you acquire the skills to communicate with the training project’s stakeholders to ensure optimum performance.  

I am looking forward to working with my learners over the next six weeks. BTW, I wish I would have had this course when I started in the field (and I am not saying this just because I am teaching it!).

ASTD 2009 Call for Proposals

ASTDIt has only been a week since I returned from ASTD 2008, and already the Call for Proposals for ASTD 2009 is available and online. Hurry, though–the submissions have to be done by July 15!

I really enjoyed this year’s convention where I presented a poster session. Wonder if I should submit another proposal for next year; if so, on what topic? I have enough interests, so will have to consider this one (but quickly!).