Building Your Course
Transitioning to Online Learning
Thank you for the work you are doing to transition your face-to-face courses and hybrid courses to an online environment. We understand this can be challenging under these rapidly developing and extraordinary circumstances, and that some classes can be transitioned more easily than others. If you have taught online before, you probably have some important questions about their effectiveness, click to read a short piece about the Myths and Realities of Teaching Online.
Transitioning from a face-to-face (F2F) class to an online environment can sound overwhelming. Your first main challenge is to integrate your teaching experience with innovative approaches and tools, all in flexible ways that maintain or improve your learning outcomes. One of the most common misconceptions when first transitioning to an online environment is the belief that you have to begin from scratch. This is not true. Most of the F2F content can be converted into digital delivery with some degree of variation. In fact, we encourage you to contact your assigned ID to consult if there is content from a previously developed, reviewed and delivered online course available for your course. Many courses already have online content developed for previous semesters and minor updates can be made to best support you and your class.
If you prefer to design and build a new course, these learning modules will guide you through the process starting with redesigning your syllabus. To access it simply click on each module title below, and if you need any assistance, please let us know.
Module 1: Planning Your Course
This module focuses on the design of course goals and objectives, course map and course syllabus.
Key topics:
- Course goals and objectives
- Course mapping
- Syllabus checklist
This module highlights strategies to effectively distribute and organize content within your course shell.
Key Topics:
- Course template
- Learning modules, folders, files, pages and items
In this module, we will explore more best practices for building course content including assessments and assignments.
Key Topics:
- Course content best practices
- Working in groups, assignments, and assessments
Module four focuses on the application and functionality of various tools for communication purposes and achieving instructor presence and student engagement.
Key Topics:
- Synchronous and asynchronous communication tools
- Nettiquette
- Sample emails to students
This module will mainly explain the basics of copyright and what is needed to be ADA compliant with materials posted online.
Key Topics:
- Copyright and fair use
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations
In module six, we share best practices for grading in an online course.
Key Topics:
- Grading criteria and rubrics
- FERPA Guidelines
Please submit a service desk request or contact your via email for assistance with course design, best practices, Blackboard tools or online training. Be sure to include the name, number, and CRN of your course.
Testing
- 2019-2020 TASFA
- Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2020
- 2019-2020 TASFA (Spanish)
- La solicitud puede presentarse hasta el 30 de junio del 2020.
- 2019-2020 Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG-I)
- Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2020
- La solicitud puede presentarse hasta el 30 de junio del 2020
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal
- Statement of Academic Intent
- 2020 - 2021 TASFA
- Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2021.
- 2020 - 2021 TASFA (Spanish)
- La solicitud puede presentarse hasta el 30 de junio del 2021.
- 2020 - 2021 Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG-I)
- Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2021
- La solicitud puede presentarse hasta el 30 de junio del 2021.
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal
- Statement of Academic Intent
- 2020 - 2021 Consortium Agreement