Volunteer State Community College
Exemplary Distance Learning Course 2005 Analysis/Nomination Form

Instructor Information

Instructor Name:       

Title/Rank:

Department/Division:

Email Address:     

Office Telephone/Extension:        

Name of person submitting this nomination (if different from above):

Course Information

Course Title:

Course Number:

Number of semester/quarter hour credits this course is offered:

  

The environment for this course can best

be described as:

ITV

CD-ROM

Video

Hybrid

Online

Number of terms this course has been offered in its present configuration:

  

Number of students enrolled the last time the course was offered:

  

Does this course contain any commercially produced content?

 

If yes, indicate where in the course this content may be found:

  

Is this course based on an e-pack or publisher course?

If yes, please provide the name of the publisher and title of the e-pack:

Course Syllabus

The Course Syllabus addresses elements of course design in a course. The syllabus includes such elements as learning objectives, policies (attendance, due dates, late or missed assignments), explanations, evaluation explanations, process for returning assignments, the structure of the course, and instructional strategies.

See Student Instruction Evaluation Questions 1, 2, 5, 6 and 10 and Distance Course Standards at:
http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/faculty/tools&forms/distance_learning_course_standards.htm


Rubric Descriptions
Please rate your course using the following scale:

4:  Exemplary: a model of best practice as related to this criterion

3:  Accomplished: excellent implementation; comparable to other examples

2:  Promising: good implementation; however, somewhat lacking in depth or detail

1:  Incomplete: partial implementation of this criterion; additional work needed; good
                              start

0:  Not evident: unable to locate examples specific to this criterion




Directions:
Hi-Lite (yellow) the following sections in your syllabus:

Score

Evaluation Element
 

Detailed Course Syllabus
 

Syllabus is Available on Public Pages (Web Page)
 

Contains a Course Description
 

Lists the Course Objectives
 

Lists Clear Course Requirements
 

Contains Textbook and Ancillary Materials Requirements
 

Includes Course Website Address
 

Describes Testing Procedures
 

Describes Grading Procedures
 

Lists the Course Grading Scale
 

Lists Course Ground Rules (participation, course expectations, etc.)
 

Lists Response Times for Assignments and Responses to Student Questions
 

Lists Methods of Communication to be used
 

Includes ADA Statement
 

Includes a Statement Concerning Syllabus Changes
 


Sub-Total (Maximum is 60)

Anecdotal Evidence - Please tell us how your course meets these criteria (up to 300 words):


Visual Evidence - Provide a copy of your course syllabus to support this category:

Schedule and/or Calendar

The Course Schedule/Calendar addresses elements of course structure that encourages students to complete assignments and projects in a timely manner.

See Student Instruction Evaluation Questions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10 and Distance Course Standards at:
http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/faculty/tools&forms/distance_learning_course_standards.htm


Rubric Descriptions
Please rate your course using the following scale:

4:  Exemplary: a model of best practice as related to this criterion

3:  Accomplished: excellent implementation; comparable to other examples

2:  Promising: good implementation; however, somewhat lacking in depth or detail

1:  Incomplete: partial implementation of this criterion; additional work needed; good
                              start

0:  Not evident: unable to locate examples specific to this criterion




Directions:
Hi-Lite (yellow, for example) the following sections in your Schedule/Calendar:

Score

Evaluation Element
 

Course Structure Encourages Timely Completion of Assignments (Time on Task)
 

Deadlines for Reading, Writing, Viewing, Performance Assignments are Listed
 

Directions are Easily Understood
 

Course Materials and Explanations Match (ex: Reading and Viewing “connects”)
 

Includes an Agenda for any Scheduled Meetings and/or an Orientation
 

Assignments are Equitably Distributed Throughout the Semester
 


Sub-Total (Maximum is 24)

Anecdotal Evidence - Please tell us how your course meets these criteria (up to 300

words):

Visual Evidence – Provide a complete copy of your course schedule and/or calendar to support this category


Communication

Course Communication provides “Teaching at a Distance” communication devices and approaches to engage students in the course.

See Student Instruction Evaluation Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 and Distance Course Standards at:
http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/faculty/tools&forms/distance_learning_course_standards.htm

Rubric Descriptions
Please rate your course using the following scale:

4:  Exemplary: a model of best practice as related to this criterion

3:  Accomplished: excellent implementation; comparable to other examples

2:  Promising: good implementation; however, somewhat lacking in depth or detail

1:  Incomplete: partial implementation of this criterion; additional work needed; good
                              start

0:  Not evident: unable to locate examples specific to this criterion

Directions:
Provide Visual Evidence and Hi-Lite (yellow, for example) those areas in the syllabus that verify the following elements, copies or location of online office hours, grades page, etc.
 

Score

Evaluation Element
 

Methods of Communication are listed in the Syllabus
 

Student access (telephone, e-mail, fax, etc) is provided on a regular basis
 

Faculty Response Times are listed in the syllabus
 

Provision is made for, at least, weekly contact with students
 

Office Hours are listed in the syllabus or online at a course website
 

Assignments are returned within 1 week of receipt
 

Course Progress Reports are given, at least, monthly
 

Grades are posted under an alias online or with the My VolState Online grade feature
 

Provision is made for Student Evaluation of the Course
 


Sub-Total (maximum is 36)



Anecdotal Evidence - Please tell us how your course meets these criteria (up to 300

words):

Visual Evidence - Provide up to 10 visual evidence pieces to support this category and note how each page supports this category

Course Materials

Course Content and Course Materials and the level of achievement expected of students, and tested for in the distance learning environment, should be as challenging as that in a classroom-based course. The amount of material covered, and the depth to which it is covered, should equal that of a classroom-based course.

See Student Instruction Evaluation Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 and Distance Course Standards at:
http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/faculty/tools&forms/distance_learning_course_standards.htm


Rubric Descriptions
Please rate your course using the following scale:

4:  Exemplary: a model of best practice as related to this criterion

3:  Accomplished: excellent implementation; comparable to other examples

2:  Promising: good implementation; however, somewhat lacking in depth or detail

1:  Incomplete: partial implementation of this criterion; additional work needed; good
                              start

0:  Not evident: unable to locate examples specific to this criterion


Directions:
Provide Visual Evidence and Hi-Lite (yellow, for example) those course materials that verify the following elements

Score

Evaluation Element
 

Conduct an orientation at the beginning of the course (or online)
 

Provide Directions for use of course resources
 

Course Materials and Explanations must go together (Video or CD lessons must connect with Textbook readings)
 

Learning Experiences are appropriate for the Outcomes and challenge students
 

Course has a consistent Organizational Pattern (modules that link learning objectives to content outlines, assignments, evaluation and resources
 

Coursework is linked to student’s lives
 

Guidelines for Evaluation are provided and used
 

Grading Procedures are clearly presented
 


Sub-Total (maximum is 32)

Anecdotal Evidence - Please tell us how your course meets these criteria (up to 300

words):

Visual Evidence - Provide up to 10 visual evidence pieces to support this category and note how each page supports this category

Community

A sense of “Community” among students in the distance course is concerned with the resources made available to students as a part of a plan to encourage interaction between the student and course materials and content, between students and between the students and the instructor. Resources for community-building may be accessible within or external to the course environment.


See Student Instruction Evaluation Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 and Distance Course Standards at:
http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/faculty/tools&forms/distance_learning_course_standards.htm


Rubric Descriptions
Please rate your course using the following scale:

4:  Exemplary: a model of best practice as related to this criterion

3:  Accomplished: excellent implementation; comparable to other examples

2:  Promising: good implementation; however, somewhat lacking in depth or detail

1:  Incomplete: partial implementation of this criterion; additional work needed; good
                              start

0:  Not evident: unable to locate examples specific to this criterion


Directions:
Provide Visual Evidence and Hi-Lite (yellow, for example) those course materials that verify the following elements

Score

Evaluation Element
 

Opportunities for interaction between the student and course materials/content exists within the course structure
 

Opportunities for interaction between students exists within the course structure
 

Regular opportunities for interaction between the instructor and students exists within the course structure.
 

The learning environment is personalized…it feels like a “place” for class
 

Diverse talents and ways of learning are respected
 

Instructor has provided biographical material to provide a sense personality
 

Maintains regular contact with all members of the class
 

Provides for timely response to student questions, concerns and comments
 

Includes a provision for class discussion
 


Sub-Total (maximum is 36)

Anecdotal Evidence - Please tell us how your course meets these criteria (up to 300

words):

Visual Evidence - Provide up to 10 visual evidence pieces to support this category and note how each page supports this category


Sub-Totals:

Course Design Element:
 
Course Syllabus (Maximum 60)
 

Schedule and/or Calendar (Maximum 24)
 

Communication (Maximum 36)

 

Course Materials (Maximum 32)
 

Community (Maximum 36)

___________

  
 

(Maximum 188)

By Submission, Permission to reprint is granted to Volunteer State Community College and academic course designers and/or researchers provided the criteria are reprinted in their entirety and without modification.