Resources
Guiding Principles
Course Development & Delivery
Course Management
Grants
Studies
Technical support
Without appropriate standards, any educational program risks being too lax, covering the wrong materials, and robbing students of the chance to learn all they can. This is just as true in the distance learning environment. As such, all the programs through EE&O share a set of representative, comprehensive and practical standards that focus not only on the teaching and learning environment, but also on funding, accreditation, consortia guidelines, technology infrastructures, etc.
NCA Best Practices for Distance Education
Extended Education & Outreach Quality Standards: Educational Products
Statement of Commitment by the Regional Accrediting Commissions for the Evaluation of Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs
American Council on Education (ACE) Distance Learning Principles
An Emerging Set of Guiding Principles and Practices for the Design of Distance Education
American Distance Education Consortium Guiding Principles for Distance Education
National Education Association Benchmarks for Quality Distance Education
Implementing the Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education
Below are some helpful scholarly resources on developing your distance course, followed by some practical university guidelines for setting up your course.
Interaction analyzed in traditional and satellite-delivered extension educational presentations.
Address diverse learning styles
Instructional Design for Online Course Development
Developing course objectives
Guide: Instructional development for distance education
Virtual Resource Site for Teaching with Technology
Storehouses of Information on Distance Education
Gallery of Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning Resources
Course Development
Reference Site of Current Research and Experience
Distance Education Resources
Distance Education Clearinghouse
Organizations
Journals and Publications
Course Delivery
Each class is different. Some meet at regular times, and others are student-paced, asynchronous settings. With diverse content matter and meeting schedules, it’s important to choose delivery media that complement your course plans. Here are some of the ways you can deliver your course.
Synchronous (scheduled class meetings):
By the use of Interactive TV and Desktop Videoconferencing (see below for details), students participate in live, real time discussion and interaction.
Asynchronous – Even though these courses do not have regular meeting schedules, students are still required to meet deadlines as outlined by the instructor.
Blackboard
This learning portal enables instructors to add an online component to a class or host an entire course on the Web. Students may also access learning materials and take quizzes and tests online. Other features of Blackboard include discussion boards, real-time chats, grade access and online file exchange.
CD-ROM
These are mailed directly to students and may include entire lectures or video excerpts of the instructor teaching in the classroom, demonstrating a point or working examples of problems. Computer requirements for courses utilizing CD-ROMs are listed with the course.
E-mail
Most distance courses require at a minimum access to an e-mail account. All students enrolled in classes at UNL receive a free e-mail account.
Lotus Notes
Lotus Notes is a software that students use to download course information on a regular basis.
Workshops
These require students to attend class at a common location, which may be the UNL campus or may be a site off campus, even out of the state. Attendance requirements will be made clear in class descriptions to assist students in making course choices.-
Desktop Videoconferencing
A variety of free or inexpensive hardware and software packages make it possible for students to attend classes through computer technology. Students from all over the world participate using toll-free phone connections and instant messaging. These classes require students to be in class via videoconference at particular times and days. Refer to the academic department's Web site for technology requirements. -
Satellite (Live, Interactive TV)
Classes which are taught on campus and simultaneously transmitted via satellite can be down-linked at over 200 public sites in Nebraska. These "interactive television" courses require students to "attend" by watching class at regular times and days and by "participating" via toll-free phone connections. -
While EE&O will handle most of your course management needs, here are some resources to help you learn more about distance course management, in case you’d like to take a more active role.
Creating Good Questions for Online Discussions
E-mail Tips and Strategies for Faculty
Student Guidelines for Electronic Communication
Teach2000: The Educator’s Guide to the Internet and the World Wide WebGrant Opportunities
All grant proposals should be submitted to the Office of Extended Education & Outreach no later than February 17, 2006.
Key Grant Competitions for Distance Educators
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) National Science Foundation
SDA: Higher Education Grants
Institute of Education Sciences
National Endowment for the Humanities
Search the Community of Science database for the many other opportunities available for distance educatorsRelated Information
The American Distance Education Consortium
The Foundation Center: Finding Funders
Grants.gov
Distance Education Grants, developed by the Instructional Technology Council at the University of Wisconsin-Extension
Funding and Grant Information: Distance Learning ClearinghouseBelow are some recent studies that may help you understand the latest developments in Distance Learning.
Sloan-C Resources: Survey Reports
American Association of Collegian Independent StudyInformation Services provides resources, training and ongoing support to faculty using computer and Internet technology to teach their distance learning courses. Blackboard© Course Management System, web server space, streaming video server space, video conferencing, CD-ROM development and production assistance are examples of the resources available through the Instructional Technology Group (ITG). Training sessions are scheduled throughout the academic year, and individual training can be arranged on request. Please visit their Web site (below) for further information.
Help Icon in Blackboard
The My UNL Support Center allows you to check the Troubleshooter and Knowledge Base to see if a problem has already been addressed. These two sections provide extensive explanations of a vast number of commonly, and not so commonly, encountered problems. If you can't find the answer you're looking for there, you can submit a ticket requesting assistance.Instructional Technology Group
New Media CenterHelp Desk
The Information Services Help Desk will respond to your hardware and software questions. They will make every effort to resolve your technology related questions. This service is open to both faculty and students.In collaboration with the Office of Extended Education & Outreach, Information Services is happy to provide to you Help Desk support with increased hours.
If you have any difficulty logging into My UNL, please contact the Help Desk at 472-3970 (or if you're outside of Lincoln, toll free at 866-472-3970) or via e-mail at helpdesk@unl.edu.
Visit the Help Desk web site at: www.unl.edu/helpdesk
