What's the difference between an online course and a non-online course? 

An online course is a course in which some of the face-to-face (F2F) interaction time between teacher and students is replaced by online interaction.  Before you can make the change from F2F to Web-based instruction in an online or hybrid course, you must receive PRIOR approval from the college's curriculum advisory committee (faculty committee), department chair, and the college's administration. If you simply want to enhance or supplement instruction with technology, however, you do NOT need committee approval.

How long does it take get my online course approved?

Generally, curricular approval and course construction takes one semester to complete. The following offers a synopsis of the process:

1. The dean of the Online College emails a request for online course proposals to all faculty (generally mid-semester). Facuty complete the attached proposal form, get appropriate signatures and submit the proposal form to the Online College dean. The Online College dean notifies faculty members as to the status of their request, i.e., approved or not approved, about two weeks after proposal due date.
   
2. The faculty members whose proposals have been approved meet with a representative from the curriculum committee to begin completion of the curricular forms, e.g., course modification forms, which are required if you intend to offer a hybrid or fully online course. After working with the curricular representative, the forms must be submitted to the curriculum committe office (deadlines set by curriculum office - call Anita Cole (X2217) for deadlines) so that the committee members have sufficient time to review the proposed modifications. This review and approval process occurs prior to the start of every term in order to give the committee members sufficient time to review the course changes and to give the college staff sufficient time to prepare for its inclusion into the subsequent fall schedule of classes.
   
3. Faculty members begin online course development training. Training usually takes place the first friday of each month for a total of four meetings.
   
4. Faculty members meet individually with FRC staff twice a month over the course of the semester for individual support, i.e., planning, technical issues that arise, etc.
   
5. At the end of the term, the faculty member contacts the Dean of the Online College to notify her that his/her course is completed. This prompts the dean to start the paperwork process for stipend payment. Please contact Marilynn Spaventa, dean of the Online College, regarding your stipend for your course development.
   
6. Ready to begin. Download the online course proposal form (it's a word doc). Complete the form and get appropriate signatures. If you have any questions, contact Mark Ferrer or David Wong in the FRC.
   
7. Download the online course packet (it's a compressed zip file that will decompress into three separate files. There is a TMI checklist, a distance learning summary form, and a course modification form which is used to explain how the online course is different from the on-campus version of the same course.
   
8. Finally, you'll need to go the curriculum committee's web site and download a copy of the on-campus version of the course of study outline for your course so you can begin preparation of your materials..