[ACCESS News] online math course design

[PATRICIA BASSETT]

At PBA the math faculty were early adopters of online delivery.  Initially they created online courses using publisher materials and support Web sites. Presently, the Office of Online Learning assigns an instructional designer to each faculty content expert. Together they work to create content independent of text, although to date, a required text is still part of the syllabus. Student evaluations continue to suggest that a book is needed even though they may never read it. :-| 
 
We use the eCollege learning management system. The tools in the .NExT version are robust, the editors allow for an HTML interface, and the math equation editor is no worse than any other.  Fortunately the designers are all HTML proficient and since I am also a mathematics professor I'm able to fill in some code when needed. In addition, we are using a number of software packages to create our lessons. They include: SoftChalk, iSpring, Adobe Presenter, Adobe Acrobat Extended Pro, Audacity, Respondus, Studymate, etc.  The software used is really determined by the level of management needed by the instructor and the tech skill level.
 
Assignments take several forms. Some are created using the Exam Builder tool in the platform.  Some are worksheets delivered as PDF forms created in Extended Pro. Others are word documents created by the student or hand written documents created and then scanned to produce an electronic file.  The goal is to create a document that can then be uploaded to the DropBox tool for grading.  All the tools in eCollege interface with the gradebook. Using the dropbox gives us an archived documentation of student work.
 
We understand that there are lots of materials available on the Web and publishers are creating tools to integrate with their texts for support. We have chosen not to become dependent on these resources in an attempt to build an online environment that reflects the PBA instructional community. Creating learning objects that can be placed in a digital repository and shared across multiple courses is a university-wide objective. 
 
Pat Bassett
 
Director of OnLine Learning
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, FL 33416
Office: 561-803-2283
 

________________________________

From: accessnews-bounces at accessed.org on behalf of Wilder, Michael A
Sent: Tue 11/10/2009 10:28 AM
To: accessnews at accessed.org
Subject: [ACCESS News] online math course design



We're interested in gathering information about how others are designing / delivering online math courses. Please share what your institution is doing in this area. 

 

How do you deliver math instruction?   . . . . Textbook only?  Video?  Multi-media?  Web sites?

 

How do your students show their work and submit assignments?   . . . . .Mail in?  Scan and email or fax?   Online submissions?  

 

Thank you in advance!

 

 

Michael Wilder

Instructional Technologist

Graduate & Continuing Education

Northwestern College

St. Paul, MN  55113

651-631-5200