File and Course Information
Management for Online Courses
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
Professor of Human Resource Development
Towson University, Towson, MD 21252
mcmahon@towson.edu
After identifying 3 problem areas
in File/Course management, you
should…
• Realistically evaluate several solutions for
each and
• Rank them for feasibility and action.
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
2
Task 1
In groups of 3…
• Using sticky notes, identify problems in
file/course management that apply to you.
• Post these sticky notes on the newsprint.
• Categorize them.
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
3
How Many of You…
Use similar
handouts for
many courses
• Shareable Content
Objects(SCO)
or
• Re-usable Learning
Objects (RLO)
What title would you give that folder on your desktop?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
4
The Biggest Headaches are
• Chaos
• Disorganization
• Poor Instructional
Online Design
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
5
To Reduce Chaos,
Confusion, etc…
Create a
Systematic
Structure
• Files you use for every
course you teach
• Folders reflecting the
Tasks of Teaching
• Folders reflecting the
Courseware
Icons/Buttons
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
6
1. General Organization
To Reduce Chaos,
Confusion, etc…
Create a
Generic
Course
• Files you use for every
course you teach
• Working with Me
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
8
To Reduce Chaos,
Confusion, etc…
Create a
Generic
Course
• Files you use for every
course you teach
• Folders reflecting the
Tasks of Teaching
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
9
To Reduce Chaos,
Confusion, etc…
Create a
Systematic
Structure
Folders reflecting the
Courseware Icons/Buttons
• Syllabus
• Orientation
• Course Documents
• Assignments
• Resources
• Administrative Issues
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
10
Create a Master Course Site
Consider placing all your generic - always
used files in a Master Course Site.
Then have the administrator copy your course
for any new courses you create.
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
11
2. Syllabus
Syllabus
Is your
instructional
design
sound?
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13
Syllabus
• Generic Syllabusstable
• Class Schedule that
changes
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14
3. Orientation
Student Orientation Folder
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16
Orientation
How many of you
explain…..
• Your philosophy of
teaching and
learning?
• How you work?
• Your expectations?
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17
Working with Me
Folder
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
18
My Role
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19
Expectations - 3 Before Me
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20
My Philosophy of Teaching
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How I Give Feedback
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22
4. Organizing Content
Folders per Topic
• Unique only to that
content
Modules
• Create a Module
template
Where do Shared Images
go?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
23
5. Organizing assignments,
exams, projects, evaluations,
assessments.
Make sure you copy
your course objectives
from the syllabus
into each assignment
Do they match?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
24
Task 2
Problem: In groups of 3, discuss the following:
In Course A, you find that students aren’t writing
to your standards or the standards of the
department. You create a rubric on writing. You
post this to your Blackboard/WebCT course.
Where did this file reside on your desktop for
loading?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
25
Task 2a
Next Part of the Problem:
After using the rubric, you realize that it
goes beyond the confines of Course A and
also fits other courses you teach. What
changes would you make in the file location
based on re-using it for other courses?
Where will this file reside on your desktop
for loading?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
26
Task 2b
Bigger Part of the Problem:
After using the rubric, you realize that it goes beyond
the confines of Course A and also fits other courses you
teach and the department agrees to also use it to
standardize departmental minimum writing standards.
But they want to make some minor revisions to it
which you agree to handle. Where will this file reside
on your desktop for easier revision for all your courses
over time and for easier loading online?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
27
How will students “put their
names on their papers?”
What protocol
have you
developed for
online
submission of
work?
Do this:
Save your file with your last name, the
assignment name, and the file type
(extension). Then send that file to the
instructor.
Examples:
lastnameassignmt1.doc
lastnamepaper2.rtf
lastnameproject3.ppt
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How will students “put their
names on their papers?”
Problem
Solution
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
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How will students “put their
names on their papers?”
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30
How will students “put their
names on their papers?”
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
31
How will students “put their
names on their papers?”
What do the
files look like
on your
desktop?
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
32
How will students “put their
names on their papers?”
What protocol
have you
developed
for batch
printing?
Do this:
At the beginning of ANY document, insert a
header with the following information in the
upper RIGHT hand corner (justify right flush).
Check your "Help" screen on how to insert
headers into documents. Include yourlastname,
page number, with date underneath.
Example: Smith, Page 1 of 3
January 1, 2003
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
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6. Discussions Folder
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7. Resources Folder
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8. Administrative Folder
What would
you include in
here?
• Student Evaluation of
course
• Class Rosters
• Room/lab
confirmation
• Kudos
• Guest Speakers
• Password Directions
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
36
Task 3
List at least three file
management ideas that would
work for you and that are
realistic and rank order them.
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
37
Reactions about this session
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
38
Thanks!
Dr. Joan D. McMahon
http://www.towson.edu/~mcmahon
mcmahon@towson.edu