Effective for courses starting Fall Semester 2011.
Del Mar College Mathematics Department
Online Course Policy
The Del Mar College Mathematics Department Online Course Policy and Online Course Rubric (which
is an integral part of the Online Course Policy) are based on Del Mar College Operating Procedures for
electronically delivered courses. They are also based on the requirements, recommendations, and best
practices for electronically delivered courses described in the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools’ (SACS) Distance Education Policy, the Southern Regional Education Board’s (SREB)
Principles of Good Practice, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) Principals
of Good Practice for Academic Degree and Certificate Programs and Credit Courses Offered
Electronically. This policy and rubric guide the development and delivery of quality online mathematics
courses and provide necessary support and guidance to mathematics faculty teaching online.
1. Online Instructor Mentoring, Technology Support and Training Opportunities. The
Mathematics Online Classes Committee will provide mentoring, technology support and training
for all faculty who wish to teach online courses. The purpose of mentoring and support is to
assist instructors who are new in online teaching with the design of new online courses, and to
develop course materials and to share our experiences in teaching online courses. Technology is
the primary way an instructor interacts with students, delivers content, and assesses students in
an online course.
2. Blackboard. The platform for online courses at Del Mar College is called Blackboard. The
Mathematics department uses Blackboard in online courses as a portal to redirect the students to
Course Compass (also known as MyMathLab (MML)). MML is the software platform used for
delivery of online Mathematics courses at Del Mar College.
3. Course Assigning. The Department Chair assigns instructors to teach online courses of
Mathematics at least three months before the start day of a course.
4. Course Preparation. Instructors prepare assigned online courses and submit them to the
Mathematics Online Classes Committee for approval not later than two months before the course
start date.
5. Online Course Rubric. Each online course should include the basic elements stated in the
Online Classes Rubric for Course Approval and Evaluation.
6. Online Testing Procedures.
Proctored Testing:
- The Final Course Exam must be a proctored exam.
- One mid semester exam can be proctored.
- 35% of an online class grades has to be proctored student work.
Local and Distance Proctored Testing Facilities:
-
Local students take proctored tests at Del Mar College Testing Center. Students living in Nueces,
Kleberg, San Patricio, and Jim Wells Counties are considered to be “local”.
“Distance” students take proctored tests at any testing facilities approved by the instructor.
7. Course Evaluation and Approval. The purpose of course evaluation and approval is to ensure
the quality of courses that the Department puts online. The Mathematics Online Classes
Committee, appointed by the Mathematics Department Chair, will evaluate and approve online
courses in the Mathematics Department.
Basis for course approval:
 An online instructor has to teach Computer Assisted Classes with MML at least two semesters
prior to teaching online classes.
 An online instructor has to complete eight hours Blackboard training required by the College’s
policy for online classes. It is a Del Mar College policy that faculty must complete Blackboard
training prior to using Blackboard for delivery of course content to students.
 An online instructor has to create online courses consistent with Mathematics Online Classes
Rubric.
 An online instructor submits courses for approval by Mathematics Online Classes Committee not
later than two months prior before a semester starts.
Notes:
 Computer Assisted Classes, where MML is used, can be changed into full online courses after
an instructor gains confidence and experience with MML.
 Each online course will be re-evaluated every three years.
8. Online Course Information Availability. The online classes Syllabi have to be available online
at least one month before the start date of classes.
9. Students’ Evaluation of Online Courses. Students will participate in the online faculty
evaluation process by taking the Course Satisfaction Survey during the last week of semester.
The purpose of the Students’ evaluation is to monitor and track the overall effectiveness of the online
courses. This information should be used to improve the course each semester.
Notes:
Each online course has to be reviewed and approved by the Committee prior to being assigned and put
online. Approval of the course is not the guarantee of the course assignment.
The above Policy is subject to revision by the Mathematics Online Classes Committee appointed by the
Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics.
Antonio David
Chair Mathematics/Physics
Date: