What is
the Online Institute?
The Online
Institute is a series of ongoing workshops designed to help teachers
learn to teach online using an online course management system,
i.e, WebCT. Though the WebCT course system is utilized, the focus
is on issues regarding course design and teaching strategies.
How can
I participate?
If you wish
to design an official online course, you must follow the process
for getting your course modification approved. however, if you
only want to use the tools to supplement an existing course, you
only need to request to attend the workshops during the semester.
What are
the institution's expectations?
Once your
online course has been approved by the administration, your dept
chair, dean, and online courses dean, you must take part in the
FRC's online institute workshops PLUS attend individual meetings
2X a month with FRC staff.
The college
recognizes that you own the intellectual property you create,
but you agree to teach the online course for a minimum of 4 semesters;
otherwise, the college can allow other faculty in your discipline
to use your online course materials until the 4 semesters' use
has been completed.
Is there
compensation for participating in online course development?
If you intend
to teach an online course, the college will compensate for
course development. In the past, compensation was based on
the number of units of material you are development. You can
also apply training to your flex obligations.
Your online
course proposal must be approved by your department chair,
division dean,
FRC administrator (advisory role),
and online
course dean. If you intend to use the WebCT Vista to
supplement an existing course, there is NO compensation.
How long
does it take to participate?
There are
currently TWO cycles you can join. Development occurs spring
semester and for a subsequent fall
offering,
OR
development during the
fall for a spring offering. So,
it takes ONE semester plus time prior to the training for curricular
approval.
Can I start
out slowly?
Yes, if you
want to teach a course that has been officially approved as an
online course, you MUST complete the training provided by the
Institute. However, if you want to supplement your existing traditional
courses, you may use WebCT or any other variety of tools to support
your teaching.
Some teachers
begin with Campus Pipeline which is the college's student portal
and then move to using WebCT until they've gained more fluency
with the tools and experience teaching in the online classroom.
What are
the steps for participating?
Follow the
online course approval process.