What should I consider when revising my courses?

1. Explore how you can help to create a sense of community for distance learners. Examples:

• Welcome email sent to students

• Introduction assignment - virtually meet another person in the class

• Virtual office hours

• Chat rooms or threaded discussions

• Group projects

2. Set deadlines for assignments and exams. Determine consequences for late assignments.

3. Set expectations for students regarding all types of feedback. Students need to know this up-front. Examples:

• Email and phone calls - returned within 24 hours/48 hours

• Assignments - returned within three days or one week

• Exams - returned or feedback posted in D2L within three days or one week

• Spring Break - when students MAY NOT be able to reach you

What type of support is available for revising my courses?

1. Distance Learning Center

• Best practices for teaching in a distance format

• Updated template for both print and online courses (D2L)

• Quality Matters course development rubric

• Faculty/Staff Guide to Course Development and Teaching for Online and Distance Learning

• Process for editing, reviewing and obtaining approval of courses

• Stipends for course development

• Resources for professional development

• Assistance with research agendas - both student and faculty

• Travel funding for conferences - when possible

• Workshops held in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology

• Examination support

• Assessment and evaluation support

• Develop opportunities for faculty to share expertise in working with distance learners

• Connections with other UW-System campuses involved in distance learning

2. Library Staff

• Update of databases and other resources available to faculty

• E-Reserves

• Library support for the Distance learner

• Other

3. Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology

• One-on-one discussion of your objectives in teaching and how technology may support/enhance those objectives

• Workshops to explore the value that technology (Desire2Learn/D2L, etc.) can add to the teaching and learning experiences

• Demonstrations of best practices
  

• Other

How can I best manage my distance education workload?

• Best practices

• Professional development workshops

• Faculty information sharing

• Discussions and tips for success

Let me know what we can do to better support you.
Contact information: Peter Nordgren, Associate Dean, Distance Learning and Continuing Education, 715-394-8475; Erlanson 105