Contents:
NEW SEMESTER, NEW (OR OLD) ON-LINE COURSE
David Peter, ISU Instructional Design Specialist
As you begin this new semester, with either a brand-new
on-line course or an on-line course that you have taught
before, there are some housekeeping things to keep
in mind.
- Stay organized: Remember to block out a consistent
time period that you can use to answer course e-mails,
grade exams, and communicate with students.
- Take notes: Since this is an on-line course, you will
want to identify both what worked well, and what
you want to improve for the next semester.
- Communicate effectively: Who provides support--
both to you, as the instructor, and to your students?
If you are experiencing problems or have concerns,
have you let someone know?
Please remember! There are others who have either
experienced the same problem, or can devote the time
and energy to solving your problem.
Here are some important names, functions, and contact
information:
- Problems with logging into on-line courses should be
directed to the HELP DESK. You may visit them on-line
at http://ithelp.indstate.edu
- For any issues related to WebCT 4.1 CE or
BlackBoard 6.0, contact the Instructional Design Staff
of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Visit the staff
on-line at www.indstate.edu/cta
- Distance education students may call the Office of
Distance Support Services at 1-888-237-8080 (toll-free)
or visit the Distance Learner's Handbook online at:
www.indstate.edu/distance/student-handbook
David Peter is an Instructional Design Specialist in the
University's Center for Teaching and Learning. If you
have questions on any instructional design topic, contact
David at (812) 237-8363 or extpeter@isugw.indstate.edu
NEW ISU COURSES DEVELOPED!
This fall, two new ISU courses were launched in
elementary education and in social work:
ELED 647: Early Childhood: Interagency Collaboration
and Parent Involvement
- Audience: Teachers (preschool-12), principals, and agency administrators.
- Delivery: Internet
- On-campus requirements: None
- Open to: In-state, out-of-state, and international students
- Scheduling: This is a semester-based course, with starting periods in the fall, spring, and summer.
- Enrollment is limited; wait lists are available.
- Faculty: Dr. Thomas Tobey
- Browse the course overview at: http://indstate.edu/distance/eled647
SOWK 101: Social Work International Learning
Community: Russia
- Audience: First year social work students, including those social work students attending the Institute of Social Work in Tambov, Russia
- Delivery: Internet, videotape, and conference calling technology
- On-campus requirements: This is a web-enhanced, on-campus course.
- Scheduling; This is a one-hour, semester-based course, with starting periods in the fall.
- Special Note: A unique and important element of
this course is its aim to establish a cooperative
academic effort between Tambov State University
and Indiana State University social work departments
that will transfer (through the use of distance education)
social work expertise and experience. Students in the
United States and Russia will gain an international
perspective that highlights the cultural and societal
impact on the social work profession and its practice.
- Faculty: Robyn Lugar
ISU faculty members who are developing new courses
are invited to submit a course overview for inclusion in
upcoming issues of "Interaction." Our office will also
forward the information for publication in "At-A-Distance,"
an Indiana College Network e-newsletter distributed to
faculty, staff, and prospective students throughout
Indiana.
Contact:
Julie Tipton
(812) 237-8689
j-tipton@indstate.edu
ISU DISTANCE ENROLLMENTS: FALL 03 UPDATE
Fall 2003 enrollments in ISU semester-based distance
education courses totaled 2,607 at the ten-day count --
a slight dip from Fall 2002 enrollments of 2,644.
However, enrollments increased in specific areas,
including ten undergraduate and graduate distance
programs (listed below) - all of which are offered
primarily via the Internet.
Fall 03 - Fall 02 Comparison (per ten-day counts):
- Enrollments:
Fall 03: 2,607
Fall 02: 2,644
Decrease = 1.4%
- Credit Hours Generated:
Fall 03: 7,558 hrs
Fall 02: 7,573 hrs
Decrease = 0.2%
- Distance Courses Offered:
Fall 03: 195 courses (34 TV: 4 SBC; 157 Web)
Fall 02: 194 courses (35 TV; 6 SBC; 153 Web)
Areas of Growth: Although enrollments were down
overall for ISU distance learning, the following programs
warrant special note for increasing Fall 03 distance
enrollments over enrollments for Fall 02:
- Business Administration (DegreeLink)
- Community Health (DegreeLink)
- Electronics and Computer Technology (Master's)
- General Aviation Flight Technology (Associate's)
- Insurance (DegreeLink)
- Library Media Services (Graduate Certificate)
- Nursing (Baccalaureate Track/DegreeLink)
- Nursing (Master's)
- Student Affairs Administration (Master's)
- Technology Management (Ph.D.)
In addition, enrollments in distance learning courses were up as whole in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology (CIMT).
We welcome your questions and input. Please contact:
Melissa Hughes
Director, Distance Support Services
mhughes@indstate.edu
(812) 237-8639
ETCETERA, ETCETERA, ETCETERA
According to the 2003 Sloan Consortium Survey of
Online Learning, a majority of academic leaders
(presidents and chief academic officers) believe
learning outcomes for on-line education are equal
to or superior to those of face-to-face instruction.
Skepticism remains highest among administrators at
private baccalaureate institutions. For details, read
the just-released report, "Sizing the Opportunity:
The Quality and Extent of Online Education in the
United States, 2002 and 2003."
URL: www.sloan-c.org/resources/survey.asp
Sources: Edupage (5 Sep 03); Chronicle (4 Sep 03)
Of note: Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall's new performance
space, is designed to be used for distance learning as
well as the standard fare of public performances. A
closed-circuit process will link musicians and audiences
from around the world for live performances and master
classes. According to a recent NYTimes article, "Many
architects today, especially younger teams, are beginning
to explore the possibilities of a hybrid space in which
conventional enclosures are linked together by means
of advanced communication technology." For New
Yorkers, Zankle Hall is a first and the "beginning of
developments that are likely to revolutionize the ways
people think about and plan shared social space.
They will also change the way we think about cities."
Source: www.nytimes.com
(Herbert Muschamp: Zankel Hall, Carnegie's Buried Treasure)
Thought for October:
Commonplaces never become tiresome.
It is we who become tired when we cease
to be curious and appreciative.
- Norman Rockwell
Interaction is published by the Office of Distance
Support Services - Indiana State University.
