Our campus has adopted a new version of WebCT which simplifies course design and enhances student access. If you're not familiar with the new features of WebCT Campus Edition 6 (such as discussion grading and easier grade book navigation), you may want to explore some of the demos on the WebCT site here.
Before you begin the process, please consult with your entire department. It is important that any curricular changes be discussed within the department since such changes often have implications beyond an individual instructor.
What's the difference between a fully online and a hybrid course? A fully online course replaces 100% of the regular classroom seat time with work on the Internet; a hybrid course also replaces some of the regular classroom seat time, but less than 100%. (Note that face-to-face classes that may sometimes meet in computer labs are not considered online courses.)
THREE STEPS
It's expected that the following three steps will be completed before you will be able to teach your online course. The steps can be completed in any order.
- Approval by the Curriculum Committee of the new Course Outline or modification of an existing Course Outline to take into account Internet modalities. The Curriculum Committee looks very favorably upon applications in which Steps 2 and 3 are already being pursued. For Curriculum Committee dates and procedures, click here.
- Completion of the Certified Online Instructor Training (COIT) offered through the WebCT Learning Institute. You'll be able to work on creating your course as part of the training. Click here to sign up.
- Authorization by the Distance Education Committee that your individudal course meets Technical Approval Standards dealing with accessibility, communication, assessment, navigation, and design. The DE Committee does not evaluate you as an instructor or the content of your course. Instead, the Committee will ask you to provide a 30-minute demonstration of the course you have built to ensure that it contains appropriate communication, navigation, and information resources (such as a syllabus, a list of assignments and due dates, and a link to the WebCT Support Desk).
TIMING
Since each of the three steps is independent of the other two, you can pursue them in any order. But certification training, course development, and securing the appropriate approvals can become a somewhat lengthy process. Give yourself at least a semester (preferably two) before the course is scheduled the first time. Work closely with the Curriculum Committee, the Distance Education Committee, and your department chair to develop a timeline for completion of the three steps.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- I've taught online courses for other schools. Is it still expected that I complete the Certified Online Instructor Training?
- Answer: Yes.
- I've completed the Cerro Coso Online Teaching Certificate (or equivalent at another school). Am I still expected to complete COIT?
- Answer: It depends. If you are not familiar with WebCT 6, you may also need to take the Authorized User and Tool Specialist workshops. Please contact a member of the Distance Education Committee.
- When does the Distance Education Committee meet?
- Answer: The DEC meets on an as-needed basis in an effort to coordinate with the work of the Curriculum Committee.
- What if I can't come to campus to complete the certification training? Do you offer an online version?
- Answer: The 22-hour Project-Oriented Pedagogy workshop is offered online, but the four Tool Specialist workshops (each 3 hours) and the Authorized User Sessions I & II (each 2 hours) are only offered on campus.
- I already teach a fully online course, and I'm developing a new one. Am I expected to take the training?
- Answer: According to the DEC bylaws, all current online instructors are expected to have completed the Certified Online Instructor Training within the next two years. Since part of the training involves work on your online course, it would be an ideal time to complete COIT.
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