In 1999 the Design and Support Services team of
IDS teamed with faculty and administrators to create a system for the
methodical development and delivery of online courses at Metro.
The first step was adopting WebCT as Metro’s
course-delivery and management software platform. Then IDS developed a
course template to facilitate easy and quality course content
development for faculty. The template is based on a ‘textbook-to-online”
model wherein the main source of content is the textbook, and the online
component targets critical-thinking with a variety of learning
activities and lecture material. This instructional design model was
developed to equate the learning experience to on-campus learning.
Courses consist of a series of modules, which are
comprised of six standard components: objectives, readiness assessment
quiz, learning activities overview, learning activities segment, summary
and homework assignment. The template ensures that all courses share a
common architecture for ease of navigation. The variety of assessment
tools and learning activities embedded in the modules include:
self-assessment quizzes, graded online quizzes and tests, teamwork and
collaboration through course e-mail, course discussions, electronic
journals, portfolio development and virtual group assignments.
Metro’s online courses are offered within a
14-week term. An instructor who assesses student progress and provides
information, guidance and feedback mediates every course.
During the 2000-01 Winter term, Metropolitan
Community College offered it’s first 5 online courses with an enrollment
of 87 students.
During the 2002 Fall term, Metro is offering 58
online courses with over 1300 students enrolled.
To ensure the success of Metro’s online courses,
the Design and Support Services team of IDS consults with faculty on
active learning strategies suited to online activities, course
development and learning theories. IDS facilitates IDS101WW: Online
Course Design, an online course designed to coach faculty in the
mechanics of WebCT and the development of their first course. IDS also
trains faculty in the use of software to construct course content, and
provides graphic and media files for course components.
