Teaching and Learning Using Internet On-Line Courses
Charles E. Ophardt, Professor of Chemistry,
Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126, USA
email: charleso@elmhurst.edu
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Power Point Slides
Simple Steps to Design and Implement Online Course Components
Introduction:
Faculty need motivation, quality training in new technologies, access to hardware and software, institutional support structure, and time to learn software and develop materials.
A possible list of software may include the usual word processors,
spreadsheets, and databases. Software to create and manipulate
graphics, photos, video, sound, and computer movies or animations
might be essential depending upon the course. Finally, a rudimentary
knowledge of HTML programming language is helpful, although there
are many software programs that automatically convert documents
into HTML such as Word and Netscape Composer.
Some existing assignments can be converted to web based assignments.
Existing word processed documents can be converted to HTML format
"easily" - using software that converts it automatically
to HTML, such as Word, Adobe Page Mill. Set up a small course
site to get started.
What steps are needed to design one or more online course components? What tools are available to assist in this process? Where can I get some help in getting started? This mini course is designed to give an overview of online course development: why, benefits, examples, tools available, and now how to get started.
Tools:
|
Required list of software |
Optional list of software |
| Your favorite word processor - most likely Word for PC users, although others work as well for this purpose. | Spreadsheets and the ability to create graphs and charts |
| HTML conversion program- many software programs automatically convert documents into HTML such as Word and Netscape Composer. Others include Adobe Page Mill, Front Page, or Dreamweaver. | Software to create and manipulate graphics, photos, and video. Associated hardware may include a scanner, digital camera, or the production of a Photo CD. These tools are available from the media center or faculty computer facility on 2nd floor of CST |
| Creation of a file called User_html in your Elmhurst computer server account. | Software to create and manipulate sound, and computer movies or animations |
As you can see the list of required software is indeed a short
one if you are a beginner. It is necessary to understand and work
with a program to convert word processor files into HTML files.
HTML is the programming language used on the internet. If you
wish to see what this looks like, then from your internet browser,
select from the Edit menu and then the Source or something similar
code. You can do this now from this page if you desire. By using
a conversion program, you are spared the details of the complex
HTML programming needed to produce the pages on the internet.
A rudimentary knowledge of HTML programming language may be helpful
as you begin to work with slightly more advanced applications.
Some existing assignments and handouts can be converted to web
based assignments. Existing word processed documents can be converted
to HTML format "easily" - using software that converts
it automatically to HTML, such as Word, Netscape Composer, Adobe
Page Mill, Front Page, or Dreamweaver.
Overview:
There are two simpler methods and one more advanced method to design and implement an online course component.
Method 1 - Electronic Discussion: The absolute simplest method is to implement an online electronic discussion, since a short learning curve is required. Your investment in the design of new materials is also not as demanding, but careful thought is required for what is to be accomplished in the discussions. Refer to the Electronic Discussion Link, review examples and suggestions, review the characteristics of the available discussion boards, probably choose WebBoard, and contact the board administrator for setting up your course.
Examples all from Discus:
EDUCATION
ENGLISH 521/522
ENGLISH 540
Method 2 - Develop Several Course Web Pages: In using this method, you might develop several web pages that are inter linked using the HTML software suggested above. There might be a minimum of three or four pages. The table below shows how the pages may be linked and grouped. This may become more sophisticated with experience. Text below the table gives more complete information. Refer to Developing Course Content Web Pages.
Method 3 - Use WebCT or Blackboard.com - Course Management Programs: This is a more advanced method to develop courses. To use this program, you would still develop "Course Content Web Pages" pages as in Method 2, then import them into WebCT or Blackboard.com. The course management program provides the overall backbone structure for the course. You could still use one of these methods for a partial online implementation of your course. Other parts of the program could then be utilized as desired.
Method 2 Examples:
Start small by making a web page that could be used by a traditional
course:
Set up a small course site to get started. The first example is quite primitive, but works as a single web page of resources for a Science Education Methods course.
The second example for CHM 212 - Chemistry Principles II is series of web pages for three assignments to guide participation in web discussions on technology issues.
Develop a system of copying good URL's into a word processor document with titles and comments. I use the simpest word processor possible such as Simple Text for the MAC. Have the brower window and the Simple Text window open simultaneously. When you find a good site, copy the URL and paste it into the Simple Text file. Then type in or cut and paste a title or description.
When you are creating HTML pages, the procedure is reversed. The URL's can then be copied and pasted into HTML pages that are being constructed. Find some good web sites that can be used to initiate discussion or can be used to provide supplementary information.