Workshop Materials: The Requirements
This page provides a review of the basic requirements for the workshop.
Go to the Course Guide for specific timelines and assignments.
Getting Started
This workshop is intended to be a practical approach to the skills needed to design online courses. Whether you're interested in the role of the instructional designer, educator, or librarian, this course is designed to be flexible enough to address the varied needs of anyone interested teaching and learning at a distance.
Keep in mind that this workshop contains participants with a wide variety of educational, work, life, and technology experience. Try not to compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on your own strengths and weaknesses.
One way to apply what you're reading is through the development of a real project. Select an online course you will be designing and/or teaching. Think about this project as you work your way through the materials.
Workshop Content
In the navigation bar on the left, you'll notice that the workshop is divided into a dozen sections. Within each section, you'll find links to a number of additional sub-sections. Be sure to read each page carefully. In some cases, you'll be directed to outside links. Explore, skim or read these resources to gain additional information as directed.
As you read the course contents, you'll find icons in yellow boxes.
Reminders!
When you see a yellow box with the title Reminder! and the icon on the left, be sure to read carefully. The items in the box are key concepts that you'll want to remember for discussions, assignments, and projects.
Apply It!
Some course content pages, contain a yellow box with the title Apply It! and the icon on the right. Please read the thought-provoking problem(s) or question(s). Although you're not required to turn in these assignments, they're great practice and will prepare you for the required activities. For instance, the starters for the required discussions are drawn from these items.
Workshop Requirements
You'll be participating in three types of assignments. These requirements will be outlined on the Workshop Guide.
Cohort Collaborations
These small group assignments will ask you to solve a problem, discussion an issue, or create a product, then report back to the large group.
The better you know your team members, the more fun you'll have with these assignments. It's up to you to decide how you'll delegate team member responsibilities and report back to the group. However be sure to check the activity requirements to be sure you get full credit for your participation. (3 Assignments with 2 Points Each)
Deep Discussions
Throughout the workshop, you'll be asked to post discussion assignments as well as reply to your peers. Keep in mind that participating in a discussion involves much more than a simple comment or kudos to your friends. (8 Assignments with 3 Points Each)
Powerful Projects
You'll share what you've learned through two course projects.
Content Project. Design the structure, selected content, and a course guide for an online course. (10 Points)
Technology Project. Focus on some aspect of technology that you'd like to explore. For instance, you might want to create a WebQuest, record podcasts, build a course wiki, or produce a Flash tutorial. Learn the technology and build a module, lesson, or element for your online course. (10 Points)
Points Distribution (50 Points)
- Cohort Collaborations - 6 Points
- Deep Discussions – 24 Points
- Powerful Projects – 20 Points