Designing an Exemplary

Course Series

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Workshop ObjectiveBy the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

– Identify the elements of learner support from the Blackboard Exemplary Course Program Rubric.

3

How Do You Support Diverse Learners?

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Blackboard Exemplary Course Program

Exemplary Course Program

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Exemplary Course Program Rubric

Course Design

Interaction and Collaboration

Assessment

Learner Support

C

I

A

L

6

Learner Support

Orientation to Course and LMS

Supportive Software (Plug-ins)

Instructor Role and Information

Course/Institutional Policies and Support

Technical Accessibility Issues

Accommodations for Disabilities

Feedback

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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ECP Winner 2012 Course TourExemplary Course Tour

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Supporting Diverse Learners

1. Orientation to Course and LMS– Clearly labeled tutorial materials that explain how

to navigate LMS and course– Tutorials are found easily and facilitate easy

return to other areas of the course– Tutorial materials support multiple learning

modalities Audio, visual, and text-based

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Supporting Diverse Learners

2. Supportive Software– Clear explanation of optional or required software

including additional costs found within the course– Software required to use course materials is

listed where it can be captured and installed– Links are located within the course where

learners will use the materials

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Supporting Diverse Learners

3. Instructor Role and Information– Contact information for the instructor is easy

to find and includes multiple forms of communication

– Expected response time for email is included– Instructor role within the course is explained

(for example, whether he/she will manage tech questions)

– Instructor’s methods of collecting and returning work are clearly explained

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Supporting Diverse Learners

4. Course/Institutional Policies and Support– Links to institutional policies, materials, and

forms for learner success are clearly labeled and easy to find

– Links allow easy navigation from the course to the information and back

– Policies regarding decorum, behavior, and netiquette are easy to find and written clearly to avoid confusion

– Links to institutional services such as the library or writing center are clearly labeled and easy to find

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Supporting Diverse Learners

5. Technical Accessibility Issues– Course materials use standard formats to

ensure accessibility– If specific software is required to which learners

may not have access, alternative file types are provided

– Large files are identified to help learners consider download times; alternative (smaller) files are provided where appropriate

– Videos are streamed whenever possible and graphics are optimized for web delivery

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Supporting Diverse Learners

6. Accommodations for Disabilities– Supportive mechanisms allow learners with

disabilities to participate fully in the online community

– Design and delivery of the content integrate alternative resources or enable assistive processes

– Links to institutional policies, contacts, and procedures for supporting learners with disabilities are included and easy to find

– Design factors such as color, text size, manipulations, audio, video controls, and all tags reflect universal accessibility considerations

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Supporting Diverse Learners

7. Feedback– Learners have an opportunity to give feedback

to the instructor regarding course design and course content both during course delivery and after course completion

– Feedback mechanisms allow students to participate anonymously in course evaluation

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Learner Support Tips

– Use a “Start here” or “Orientation” menu section to put all learner support materials

– Create a welcome letter, as well as posting contact information

– Include guidelines for decorum, behavior, and netiquette in the “Orientation” area as well as the first discussion forum

– Create a survey to get formative feedback from the students

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Designing an Exemplary Course SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSE

https://open.coursesites.com

– Presentation Video– Course Tours – Scholarly Readings– Hands-On Activities

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Learner Support Orientation to Course and LMS

Supportive Software (Plug-ins)

Instructor Role and Information

Course/Institutional Policies and Support

Technical Accessibility Issues

Accommodations for Disabilities

Feedback

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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Questions?

Thank You!