Welcome!

I'm glad you're here and I am excited about teaching this class. Depending on the size of our class, I may take some "creative license" so you can get the most out of this course. Each week I'll give you an assignment. I continually read and learn new things about online teaching, so I may change the schedule a bit to introduce you to what I've learned. This course offers those wishing to teach or design distance learning classes the opportunity to learn the skills needed to effectively design, deliver and evaluate distance learning courses. Course modules include: online pedagogy, course management, understanding design tools including software and audio/visual, ethics, and course evaluation. The class provides faculty who teaches or expects to teach online, the guidance and skill sets they need to effectively design and develop their distance learning courses.

Please note: This is not a class that teaches you how to use ANGEL software program (but I can assist you in ANGEL). Although I am teaching the class using ANGEL, you or your institution may use other software or course management systems to deliver distance learning classes. This class provides you with helpful information in designing an online class regardless of your platform.

Back to top

Course Description

This course is conducted in an online environment so participants will need consistent access to the Internet. High speed access is strongly recommended, but not required. Communication occurs mainly through asynchronous threaded discussions and e-mail; however, there will be opportunities to experience real-time chat rooms and synchronous interactive video media. Content includes:

  • Orientation
  • Introduction to the Online Environment
  • Pedagogy
  • Adapting your Face-to-Face Class to an Online Class
  • Copyright / Ethics
  • Accessibility
  • The Social Web
  • Twitter, Weblogs, Wikis, Social Networking
  • Presentation Zen
  • Podcasting; Videocasting
Back to top

Course Outcomes/Objectives

  • Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
  • Write student learning objectives and outcomes for their online course
  • Demonstrate a pedagogical approach to a variety of learning styles
  • Develop an effective course management structure
  • Use two software applications to develop course enhancements to enrich their online course
  • Produce two media enhancement segments in audio and/or video
  • Understand the application of ethics and copyright to your online course
  • Develop a method for students to provide feedback and evaluation of their online course
Back to top

How this Course is Conducted

 We will be using ANGEL, a Course Management Software program. Think of Angel as our classroom. In it is all of the information you will need to complete this class (assignments, testing, handouts, e-mail, and discussion boards). This document contains instructions on how to log into our classroom. This information is also on the WVC Home Page (www.westvalley.edu).

Back to top

Prerequisites

 There are no course prerequisites for CA 014 / IS 014, but CA 70 (introductory computer course) is recommended if you are unfamiliar with using the computer. To take this course you must:
  • Have access to the Internet (high speed is not required, but recommended)
  • Know how to use an Internet browser
  • Know how to receive/send e-mail and homework from our classroom in Angel
  • Have your own e-mail account
Back to top

Course Materials

Required Text:

Conquering the Content: A Step-by-Step Guide to Online Course Design by Robin M. Smith
  • Paperback: 176 pages (Bookstore new -$28; Used $21; New at Amazon - $20.00)
  • Publisher: Jossey-Bass (April 11, 2008)
  • ISBN-10: 0787994421
  • ISBN-13: 978-0787994426

Recommended Reading - Not a requirement

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Tools for Classroom (2nd edition) by Will Richardson
  • Paperback: 168 pages (28.95 at the bookstore new/used 21.10 or new at Amazon - about $21.50 at Amazon)
  • Publisher: Corwin Press (July 16, 2008)
  • ISBN-10: 1412959721 or ISBN-13: 978-1412959728
Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds
  • Paperback: 228 pages (approximately $35 at the bookstore new/used $26 or new at Amazon - $23.00)
  • Publisher: New Riders Press (January 4, 2009)
  • ISBN-10: 0321525655 or ISBN-13: 978-0321525659
Back to top

Class Schedule and Grading Information

 Each week (usually Mondays or Tuesday evenings)I will post a Lesson Assignment Handout to help you with the assignment. Assignments and tests must be submitted by the due dates to receive credit.

Grade Points (subject to change)
Assignments / Discussions 300
Tests / Projects 100
Final Project 100

Back to top

Student Responsibilities and Course Requirements

Plan your time carefully. In order to successfully complete this course, you should plan your schedule very carefully and try to stick to it. Look carefully at your schedule. Check the WVC Distance Learning site, "Are Distance Learning Classes Right for You" to see if an online class is a good fit for you and your schedule. As per the college catalog: "A semester unit of credit represents the number of lecture hours (or their non-lecture equivalent) per week for one semester. Normally, a student is expected to devote two hours of preparation outside class for each unit of credit in a class.

Back to top

E-mail

I require that you check your ANGEL mail at least twice a week. In Angel, I have the ability to send messages to both your home and ANGEL e-mails. It will look as though I am sending you the e-mail from my WVC account. Please be sure that your personal e-mail address is correct (go to MyWebServices from the college home page). Most students appreciate this because it reminds them that they have an online class.

Back to top

Discussion Boards

 Our class has its own Angel Discussion Board for you or your classmates to post questions, comments, etc. Before you send me a question, I ask that you first post your question on the Discussion Board. Why? I'm not online 24/7. Remember, it is likely that some of your classmates have the same questions and some of you classmates have the answers.

When taking an online course you must take the initiative to post questions on the discussion board if you do not understand the material. Don't be shy - probably 10 of your classmates have the same questions. My response may not be instantaneous. You must learn to move on to other material while waiting for me to respond.

Back to top

Computer Excuses - There are None

I do not accept computer "excuses." You are taking an online class; it is your responsibility to have access to a computer. What does this mean? Computer crashes, lost disk information, Internet access becomes unavailable, hardware/software difficulties, or your dog ate your disk do not constitute reasons for late work. Since I don't accept computer excuses, make sure you have back-up computer sources (library, friend).

Back to top

Dropping

I hope this doesn't happen, but if you need to drop the course, it is your responsibility to do so. I will not drop you and you will receive an N/C ("F") in class.

Back to top

Policy on Academic Dishonesty

 The College's policy on academic dishonesty covers in-class cheating, out-of-class cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false information. For additional information, please see the West Valley College Catalog. All students are expected to know the rules regarding plagiarism. The Oxford Dictionary describes plagiarism as '... to take and use as one's own the thoughts, writings, or inventions of another.' (OED 1987). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism) describes plagiarism as: '… the use of another person's work (this could be their words, products or ideas) for personal advantage without proper acknowledgement of the original work with the intention of passing it off as your own. Plagiarism may occur deliberately (with the intention to deceive) or accidentally (due to poor referencing). It includes copying material from a book, copying-and-pasting information from the World Wide Web, getting family or friends to help with course work - even copying answers from a fellow student during an examination is a form of plagiarism …" Other sites to visit on this subject:

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html

Back to top

ANGEL (A New Global Environment for Learning)

How to Log into our Angel Classroom

Think of ANGEL as our classroom. Here is where you will receive announcements, get your assignments, e-mail, grades, handouts, and chat with other students. The classroom opens a few days before the semester begins.

This is our Angel Classroom's URL: http://wvmccd.angellearning.com

You can also access the ANGEL login page from the West Valley College home page at www.westvalley.edu

The below is information taken directly from West Valley's Distance Learning web site (www.westvalley.edu/dl)

If you are taking an online course that utilizes the Angel Learning course management system, you usually will not have access to the server until just before the semester begins. After the semester begins, you will be able to login in to Angel by using your username and password.

  • Your login username is all seven digits of your student ID number

Back to top

Angel User ID

Your student ID number is generated by the computer at the college after you apply for admission for the first time and is included with all of the paperwork you may have received from the college and on the back of your student ID card. You should also be able to get your college student ID number through MyWebServices from the college home page. You must apply for admissions before the college will issue a student ID number.

If your college ID number is 1234567, your login name would be 1234567

Back to top

Angel Password


Your password is your six digit birth date.
  • So if you were born on December 14, 1980, your password would be 121480
  • Single digits must have a 0 in front of them
  • So if you were born on May 9, 1990, your password would be 050990
  • Now that you have determined your log in name and password, Angel may be accessed through the following login page: http://wvmccd.angellearning.com
Back to top

Still having problems logging on to Angel?

 If you are still having problems logging on to Angel for a West Valley College online course, there may be a problem with the seven digit number you are using as part of your username. Your student ID number is generated by the computer at the college and is included with all of the paperwork you may have received from the college.

If you absolutely can't find any paperwork with this number on it or you never received any paperwork in the first place, please contact the college Admissions and Records office (408-741-2001) or me at lisa.kaaz@wvm.edu. Each online instructor has access to the student ID numbers for the individual students in their course.

Back to top


Contact Information

Since this is an online class, I have no official campus office hours. If you would like to make an appointment with me, I am on campus Monday - Thursday. Once the class begins, if you e-mail me, I will get back to you within 24 hours (M-F), usually less. In addition, once class begins I require that you e-mail me from within ANGEL ONLY because I can get my ANGEL mail from anywhere with an Internet connection. If ANGEL is experiencing problems and you need to contact me via school e-mail my college e-mail address is: lisa.kaaz@wvm.edu

Back to top

Getting Help

Disabled students: West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request. Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.

Please notify me immediately if you have a documented learning disability and require extra time on timed exams. I am happy to give you extra time if you (1) can document your disability; AND (2) notify me BEFORE you take the exam

. Back to top

Important Dates
First Day of Class Monday, August 30
Labor Day Holiday Monday, September 6
Last Day to Add a Semester Length Class Friday, September 10
Last Day to Drop a Semester Length Class WITHOUT a "W" and WITH a Refund Friday, September 10
Last Day to Drop a Semester Length Class WITHOUT a "W" and NO REFUND Friday, September 17
Deadline to Petition for Fall Graduation Friday, October 1
Veteran's Holiday Friday, November 12
Last Day to Drop a Semester Length Class WITH a "W" Saturday, November 20
Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday, Friday, Saturday, November 25 - 27
Our Final Exam (Final Project) Wednesday, December 15
Semester Break Begins Monday, December 20

Back to top

Technology Center

There is no fee to use the Tech Center, but there is a "pay-per-page" charge for printing. Visit the Tech Center's web page at http://www.westvalley.edu/tc or call them at 408-741-2666 for hours and additional information.

Back to top

Syllabus Disclaimer Statement

 I may make changes to the syllabus during the semester. It is your responsibility to stay informed of these changes. If you have questions about this, you may contact me via e-mail. You may also wish to have a study partner whom you can contact if you have questions.

Back to top

About Online Learning

 This distance learning course is conducted completely via the Internet and e-mail. The primary mode of instruction is through an Internet connection. I would like you to stay in close contact with me. I ask that you write me (just to check in) at least once a week via ANGEL's e-mail. In our classroom discussion forum, or via chat, you may consult with your classmates about your assignments. You will submit the majority of your work via our classroom drop box. I will provide you with a class assignment document each week to guide you throughout this course. Please understand that this is not a self-paced class (meaning that I will not release all assignments at one time). You must submit your assignments on or before each of the deadlines.

Back to top

Is this Online Class Right for Me?

Please visit West Valley College's Distance Learning website. www.westvalley.edu/dl

Viewing the Distance Learning web site should help determine if this class meets your needs.

Are you using the correct Internet browser for this course? To find out, go to: http://www.westvalley.edu/dl/browser_issues.html

Do you have the skills necessary for an online course? Take the distance learning skills survey at: http://www.westvalley.edu/dl/dl_survey.html

Is distance learning right for you? Visit: www.westvalley.edu/dl/dl_screening.html

How do I get started in an online course? Check out this site: www.westvalley.edu/dl/enrolled_dl_students.html

Back to top

Unlawful Discrimination / Sexual Harassment

 If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student or employee that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at West Valley-Mission Community College District, Human Resources Department at 408-741-2060. If the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources is not available, contact the President of the West Valley College at 408-741-2097.

Back to top

Summing it Up - How to succeed in this Class
  1. Enter your Angel classroom and check your e-mail and discussion board at least three times a week and let me know how you are doing once a week.
  2. Complete all assignments by the dates listed.
  3. Participate in online discussions.
  4. Plan your time carefully for all online classes.
  5. Purchase the required materials.
  6. Have a back-up plan if your computer suddenly decides not to cooperate. Back up your data.
  7. Have fun, work hard, and enjoy your online experience!

Please note: West Valley College is a Smoke-Free College.

Back to top