Checklist
Identifying the need for the course/program
• Determine how this course or program supports the mission of the university, college and department.
• Identify unique student needs and wants the
course/program will address.
• Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of delivering this course or program using distance technology.
• Plan strategies to directly market the course or program to the target audience.
Assessing the Competition and Risks
• Determine comparable programs already being offered and by whom. What has been their success?
• Clarify how your program will differ from those already being offered.
• Forge partnerships with other organizations or institutions that may enhance this course or program.
• Weigh the consequences if the course/program does not generate enrollment. Will funds invested be lost?
• Identify potential liability issues that exist in offering this course or program at a distance.
Defining Goals and Objectives
• Develop instructional goals that will motivate and compel the learner.
• Write learner centered objectives that are focused
on the expected changes in learners' behaviors.
Developing Course/Program Content
• Identify the content and sequence of concepts to be taught
• Use the principles of learning to determine appropriate teaching and learning strategies
• Outline learning activities that meet the various needs of your learners so that many different learning styles are accommodated.
• Identify content experts to include as guests in the course/program
Reviewing and selecting distance delivery strategies
• Consult with technical experts to review distance learning options appropriate to:
• learner goals and objectives
• learners' and instructors' access to and ability to use the desired technology
• content to be taught
• Identify technical requirements for students: hardware and software
• Identify technical requirements for faculty/staff : hardware and software
• Know your budget and identify financial considerations that impact the use of different technologies
• Determine if synchronous or asynchronous learning is best to achieve learner goals and objectives
• Determine if learners need to be oriented to the distance learning technologies being used and how this will occur
• Once distance delivery strategies are determined, develop a timeline that includes all developmental steps that must occur to deliver the course.
• Schedule necessary facilities, equipment, and resource people to deliver the course/program
Planning Course Delivery
• Review existing materials
• Determine what new course materials must be
acquired or developed
• Develop/modify web pages and/or other digitisal
resources (audio & video files, images, etc.) that complement
the course/program
• Develop a strategy for contact among students
and faculty
• Plan activities that build reciprocity and cooperation
among students
• Plan activities that respect diverse talents
and ways of learning
• Plan opportunities for active student participation
and inquiry through discussion, handouts, demonstrations
and presentations through the distance delivery strategies
selected
• Provide opportunities for students to practice
learning through assignments, case studies, activities
• Plan ways to provide prompt feedback to student
dialogue, discussion, quizzes, self evaluations and written
work to insure understanding and application of concepts
is appropriate. Determine if feedback will be provided on-line,
through secure web-sites, by mail, or face to face
• Structure assignments as needed to be compatible
with the selected learning technologies
• Determine how learner progress on goals and
objectives will be assessed
• Develop course syllabus with deadlines for assignments
• Inform learners of expected time commitment
for course and how technology may impact that
• Determine if site facilitators are needed; recruit
and prepare facilitators
Acquiring needed support and assistance
• Determine the types of support or assistance you will need in delivering the course or program, such as:
• project management
• instructional design
• scheduling
• graphic design and/or media design and development
• web site development and management
• technical training...
• to teach via IP Video
• to use web-based courseware tools
• library access and research
• staff support
• computer support
• scripting and filming
• Talk to other faculty/staff who have taught using distance technologies
• Observe classes taught using distance technologies
• Conduct practice sessions using the distance learning technologies selected
Administering the course
What course administrative procedures must be arranged before the class is marketed and taught?
• registration assistance
• online registration options
• online payment services
• determining pricing for the course/program
• provision of text and other materials to students
• student access to counseling and advising services from a distance
• procedures to provide Continuing Education Units
• appropriate paperwork and approvals for off
campus course delivery
• review copyright law and limitations of what
materials can be used in distance delivery of instruction
(including web distribution, IP video, etc.)
• schedule facilities and equipment on and off
campus
Implementing the course
• Develop back up plans in event of technology interruptions
• Seek continual feedback from the learners about what is working well and what needs refinement
• Request a peer reviewer to observe your teaching and recommend strategies to improve your teaching using distance technology
Evaluating the outcome
• Develop an evaluation plan that includes both formative and summative strategies
• Seek feedback on course plans from other faculty/staff experienced in teaching via distance technologies.
• Engage a “sounding board” comprised of people who represent the learners and seek their input as course plans are developed.
• Compare learner outcomes using distance delivered
instruction with traditional face to face instruction.
• Revise course based on feedback before offering again