You had me at hello.How to construct learning outcomes, syllabus and course outline for an online course.Kimberly K. KlotzUniversity of Central Arkansas2012

The first impression students have of your course comes before the first assignment, the first synchronous session, or first discussion posting. It comes from your learning outcomes, course syllabus and outline.

This is your opportunity to speak to the students and to introduce them to the course and instructor.

Your learning outcomes, syllabus and course outline must speak for you. So, how do we make sure we have them at hello?

You had me at hello.What does that mean anyway?

Learners will construct learning outcomes.Learners will recognize the areas of an online syllabus. Learners will recognize the steps to structure an online course from a course outline.Learners will compare the learning outcomes of the course to the learning outcomes of lessons and sections.

How do we have them at hello?Presentation Objectives

Learning Outcomes

wordle created from learning outcomes of ITEC Graduate Program

Learning OutcomesWhat are learning outcomes?

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Learning OutcomesHow do we create learning outcomes?1. Understand the levels of Blooms Taxonomy.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Learning OutcomesHow do we create learning outcomes?2. Use action verbs.

http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Bloom%27s+Digital+Taxonomy

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Learning OutcomesHow do we create learning outcomes?3. Use the formula:

Vai, Sosulski, Essentials of Online Course Design, pages 182-189

BEHAVIOR + CONDITION + MEASURABLE CRITERIA = LEARNING OUTCOME

Be clear and concise when writing outcomes.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Learning OutcomesWhy are learning outcomes important?

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Let's practice creating learning outcomes.

Go to:http://wallwisher.com/wall/itec_ch9

Then post 3 learning outcomes. (These can be on any topic you choose.)

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge.

Let's Practice Learning Outcomes.

Syllabi for online courses contain many elements of traditional courses:Course TitleCourse NameCourse Description Course ObjectivesEvaluation PlanGrading Required ReadingsRecommended ReadingsCourse Outline

Say Hello.Creating a syllabus for an online course.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Say Hello.Creating a syllabus for an online course.

Elements specific to an online course syllabus:Communication strategyDescription of course time frame & formatGuidelines for class participationTechnical requirements & supportDetailed course outline (with start & end dates)

For example, see: http://www.marjorievai.com/B-Chapter_9.html

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Say Hello.Creating a syllabus for an online course.

Communication StrategyShould contain:EmailPhoneChatTime frame for returning communication ie. office hours, time returning emails, etc.

It is important to have a clear communication strategy.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Say Hello.Creating a syllabus for an online course.

Description of course time frame & formatShould contain:FormatSynchronous/Asynchronous/HybridTime-FrameDue DatesRemember to include the Time Zone

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Say Hello.Creating a syllabus for an online course.

Guidelines for class participationShould contain:How students will participate- ie. discussion forumsFrequency of participationRubric for evaluation

For an example, see page 149 of the Vai & Sosulski text.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Say Hello.Creating a syllabus for an online course.

Technical requirements & supportShould contain:How to access the courseContact information for technical supportCourse overview tutorialsHow to access any other technologies needed for course participation.

For an example, see page 150 of the Vai & Sosulski text.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Course OutlineThe course outline covers:Class sessionsDue datesReadingsAssignmentsActivitiesAny other deliverables for the course

For an example, see page 151 of the Vai & Sosulski text.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_PSbRjSBAPCTSO16cwKwrUaf8IqJNh5oi-vii047yGQ/edit?hl=en#

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Steps to structure your course:

Start by using your learning outcomes. Each unit should contain a learning outcome.

Plan your assessments of learning outcomes.

Use the assessments to plan out modules to help students succeed.

Putting it all together.Creating a course from the course outline.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Lessons and SectionsUnits and lessons are really just organizing structures (Vai & Sosulski, p. 155)

Learning Outcomes of lessons and units should contribute to the learning outcomes of the course.

Units should have introductions and summaries. Students should understand what they will be learning in the unit and the learning outcomes of each lesson. Knowing exactly what they will be learning will help them prepare.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Let's Recap.Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) are important to course creation. SLOs should be specific and measurable.A course syllabus and outline is how you will introduce students to the course. This must speak for the instructor.A course outline should be specific and contain all dates for all deliverables and class meetings. To structure your course, start with the SLO and work backwards using the course outline. All assessments units and lessons should contribute to the SLO.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Resourceshttp://www.park.edu/cetl/quicktips/syllabus.htmlhttp://it.usu.edu/fact/files/uploads/OSTT2.pdfwww.park.edu/cetl/quicktips/syllabus.htmlhttp://ux1.eiu.edu/.../UT_Creating%20an%20Online%20Syllabus.pdfhttp://afbh.uaa.alaska.edu/CafeModules/Syllabus.htm

Quigley, D. (1994). The Evolution of an Online Syllabus. Computers And Composition, 11(2), 165-72.

Sparnon, D. (2004). Online at Midnight. Knowledge Quest, 33(1), 38-39.

Ford, M. L. (2002). Preparing Students for Assessment in the On-Line Class. New Directions For Teaching & Learning, (91), 77.

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

Resources

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/english/assess.htmhttp://www.go2itech.org/HTML/TT06/toolkit/design/outcomes.htmlLizano-DiMare, M. (2009). Best Practices for Online Instructional Communication. Journal Of Instruction Delivery Systems, 23(3), 17-22.

Learning Outcomes Videoshttp://youtu.be/2ihVQs5-Ipkhttp://youtu.be/dcQCS9NBE2ghttp://youtu.be/Sp5lZdi0OsEhttp://youtu.be/Sp5lZdi0OsEhttp://youtu.be/WWCaNzgwn9k

Resources

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge., pages 147-154

http://www.learningoutcomeassessment.org/TFComponentSLOS.htmhttp://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Bloom%27s+Digital+Taxonomyhttp://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/planning-a-class-with-backward-design/33625

http://www.marjorievai.com/B-Chapter_9.html

Vai, M. & Sosulski, K. (2011). Essentials of online course design: A standards-based guide. New York, NY: Routledge