College of the Redwoods
Curriculum Proposal
Distance Education Course
Renewable every five (5) years
Date: 10/26/05
1.
Division: Humanities and Communication
2.
Course Discipline and Number: EDUC 4
3.
Course Title: Tecnology Skills for Educators
4.
Distance Education Method:
Instructional TV on cable
Interactive TV on videoconference
Online
5.
Describe in detail how this course will apply the same standards of course quality as a traditional classroom course. (attach course outline and syllabus)
There are few elements that differ between online and on-the-ground delivery of this course. As is in the face-to-face delivery of this course, students have required reading, writing, and class discussion. There is no physical classroom
“performance” requirement for the course. This class is typically taught in a computer lab with very little large group lecture. Students utilize a text that provides step-by-step procedures to help them build hands-on skills in using technology. Instead of a live lecture highlighting specific tools and techniques, notes can be provided online to help students target their efforts with the text.
As students engage with the material, reading and doing exercises to learn computer applications, the instructor provides individual coaching which can be provided at a distance by telephone or email.
In order to study specific examples of the uses of technology in education, regulations, and up-to-date educational standards, students are typically directed to specific Internet resources, which they can access individually outside of the classroom. While students must learn and practice new skills with computer applications, the major thrust of the course is problem-based learning.
Students must begin to develop strategies to incorporate technology in educational settings in order to facilitate learning of school subjects. In order to accomplish this, the instructor works closely with each student to develop a topical context within which they create products using technological tools. This work is primarily individual, requiring the instructor to spend time with each student alone, and this can be done via email and phone.
Some group discussion enables learning in this class, and the Discussion
Board feature of our online learning platform, Blackboard, serves an an excellent forum for such discussion. The Discussion Board feature of Blackboard allows students to engage in threaded discussion in large and small groups, similar to the discussions held in a face-to-face class, but with the added value of asynchronous posting. There are advantages to this type of discussion: 1)
Curriculum Approval: April 8, 2005
Academic Senate Approval: May 6, 2005
April 17, 2020

students have time to consider their responses. Likewise, the instructor has time to respond to each individual student’s discussion response; 2) research suggests that students who find it difficult to respond in class respond more actively in online discussions; 3) the Blackboard “groups” feature allows for small group discussion totally removed from the larger group. In order to maintain quality online discussions, the instructor will participate in discussions as appropriate, modeling effective discussion behavior throughout the course.
Students will earn course points for participation in discussions by posting their own responses to the discussion question as well as by replying to classmates.
Discussions will be held weekly and will directly pertain to course content .
6.
Describe how this course will include regular effective contact between the instructor and students.
Regular effective contact between instructor and students would continue at least once each week with announcements, discussions, and assignments due, but can flexibly expand to multiple opportunities for communication. Students can be "in" the class on a daily basis if they wish. They can communicate with each other and the instructor and course content as often as they wish .
7.
Describe how standard methods of assessment will be adapted to the distance education format.
In addition to submitting electronic documents and other products to the instructor (via email or the Blackboard Digital Dropbox) as part of the course requirements, students are required to share their products with the class. They can share their products by posting them on the Blackboard Discussion Board and receive review comments. Written mid-term and final exams are currently administered on the computer in class on a specific date with a limited time period allowed for completion. The structure of the exams is such that students have to have synthesized their knowledge to the degree that they are able to explain their knowledge during the limited-time exam period. A significant amount of written communication will have occurred over the weeks of the semester to enable the instructor to get to know a student's writing, thereby reducing the opportunity for cheating on the exam .
Approvals:
Sydney Larson
Department Chair
11/1/05
Date
Mark Winter 2/2/06
Distance Education Coordinator Date
Sydney Larson
Division Chair
2/2/06
Date
Curriculum Committee Approval Date: 2/24/06
Academic Senate Approval Date:
Curriculum Approval: April 8, 2005
Academic Senate Approval: May 6, 2005
April 17, 2020