OMDE 610 9040 Teaching and Learning in Online Distance...

University of Maryland University College • Adelphi • Syllabus •

OMDE 610 9040 Teaching and Learning in Online Distance Education (2158) OMDE-610

Fall 2015

Section 9040

3 Credits

09/07/2015 to 11/29/2015

Faculty Contact

Steve Kerby Steve.Kerby@faculty.umuc.edu

Course Description

An exploration of the online teaching and learning dynamic, including its theoretical foundation and best practices. The themes that shape the online teaching/learning relationship are addressed through individual and collaborative projects. Topics include philosophical frameworks; instructional, social, and cognitive presence; interaction, collaboration, and participation; community and engagement; and administration and management.

Course Introduction

This is a 3-credit course.

There are 12-weeks in the semester.

See the academic calendar for the start and end dates for this session.

See the class calendar for the last date to withdraw.

Course Outcomes

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

Identify the contribution of distance education theory to online teaching and learning;

Apply underpinning philosophical constructs to teaching and learning online;

Present and discuss theoretical and practical issues relevant to online teaching and learning related to social, instructional, and cognitive presence;

Clarify the roles of instructors, learners, administrators, designers, and other stakeholders in the delivery of online learning;

Explore the impact of communication technologies on the pedagogy of online teaching and learning.

Course Materials

Click to access your course materials information

Class Guidelines

CLASS POLICIES

Statement of Originality

It is expected that the work you submit for assessment purposes to this class is original. This means that you are the single author of your individual assignments and that you have not used this work in any other class, including this class in a previous term, in this or any other academic program. (You can cite your own work as you can with any other source and this is a common practice in academia when building a body of knowledge in a particular area.) Plagiarism offenses, including failure to cite your own work that was already used for another purpose, will result in a failing grade. Please carefully read the information below about the Policy on Academic Honesty and Plagiarism and the help available to you in learning how to properly cite sources in your assignments and papers.

Use of Turnitin.com

All assignments, except the journal, must be submitted to Turnitin.com by the student before the student submits the assignment to the WC or TA. Papers not submitted to TII and the WC will not be accepted for grading by the instructor. Papers that are not submitted by the deadline will be considered late and will be penalized according to the late assignment policy.

The TA will create student accounts on Turnitin.com that will allow you to submit your work before you submit to the Writing Coach and to the instructor. This will allow you to improve problematic areas that need you intention to avoid unintentional plagiarism.

The writing coach will provide useful tips and general feedback throughout the course to help in application of APA. By maintaining academic integrity, students are promoting their own development of knowledge and their skills in writing and critical thinking.

Check The Writing Coach's Conference Forum for updates and further details about how to submit drafts once the course has started.

Late Assignment Submission Policy

Assignments received late (without having negotiated an extension as outlined below) will automatically be reduced by one letter grade. Assignments will not be accepted after one week of delay, unless negotiated in advance for documented reasons. Late assignments may not receive any commentary from the teachers.

Participation

It is not possible for discussion participation credit for conferences to be "made-up." Since discussion is vital to our seminar, you need to be present during all twelve (12) weeks. However, if you cannot fully participate in any one week of discussion, it does not have a major impact on your final grade. See the assignment description for grading criteria for participation.

Incomplete Agreements

The Incomplete Agreement Form is available online for graduate and undergraduate students and faculty. Please understand that faculty award the exceptional grade of Incomplete at their discretion.

Grading Information

ASSIGNMENTS Grade %

01: Paper DE and Online Teaching and Learning

10%

02: Behaviorist or Cognitivist eLearning Activity.

10%

03: Constructivist / OCL eLearning Activity. 10%

04: Communities of Practice Project 10%

05: Memo or Best Practices Presentation 20%

06: Conference Participation 25%

07: Learning Journal / Portfolio 15%

100

All assignments are graded using rubrics available in the classroom assignments. Participation and conference discussions are graded according to assignment guidelines and accompanying rubric. See the assignment descriptions for those guidelines and rubrics.

Extra credit is not offered in this class.

Project Descriptions

ASSIGNMENT 01 - Paper on DE and Online Teaching and Learning

DESCRIPTION

Short (800-1000 words) paper on one of the following:

How the tradition of Distance Learning has informed online teaching and learning.

How eLearning theory has informed recent DE Practice.

A topic of your choosing that deals with the historical relationship of learning theory and technology.

Note: If you choose option (c), you must brainstorm the topic in the appropriate Module One Conference thread by the end of the first week of the module.

DETAILS

Required elements for this essay:

Should include an introduction with thesis statement, developed ideas, and a conclusion.

Should sufficiently address the question you have chosen.

Clearly written, with no errors in grammar and spelling.

Style should be formal academic writing. The essay should include your thoughts and describe your experience on the question you have chosen to write on, but also be supported through literature (from our course or additional research) and logical persuasive argumentation. Avoid using first-person point of view.

800 – 1000 words in length, approximately 3 to 5 pages (+/- 50 words).

Direct citations are not to exceed 10%.

Double-spaced, Times New Roman or sans serif, 11- or 12-point font; proper citation of any sources using APA style; no title page, but you should title your essay. Make sure name, course, and section heading are on first page, upper left.

RESOURCES

Our Course Materials list is a good place to start. But in the Conference forum, we will have a Sharing Assignment Resources area, where students and faculty can suggest and share articles, books, Web sites, and videos appropriate for the assignment.

ABOUT Turnitin.com AND OMDE 610

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin, an educational tool that helps prevent or identify plagiarism from Internet resources. In this class, you are required to submit essays, research papers, case study analyses, other written assignments, and multimedia text electronically to Turnitin. The Turnitin Originality Report will indicate the amount of original text in your work and whether material that you quoted, paraphrased, summarized, or used from another source is appropriately referenced. Nothing in this explanation limits faculty or faculty assistants from submitting student work directly to Turnitin.

When you submit all or part of your assignment to the Turnitin service, Turnitin will ordinarily store that assignment in its database. The assignment will be checked to see if there is any match between your work and other material stored in Turnitin's database. If you object to long-term storage of your work in the Turnitin database, you must let your instructor know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.

You have three options regarding your assignment being stored in the Turnitin database. One, if you do nothing, then your assignment will be stored in the Turnitin database for the duration of UMUC's contract with Turnitin. Two, you can ask your instructor to have Turnitin store your assignment only for the duration of the semester or term, and then have your assignment deleted from the Turnitin database once the class is over. Three, you can ask your instructor to change the Turnitin settings so that your assignment is not stored in the Turnitin database at any time.

DUE: Last day of Module 01

Your assignment should first be submitted to Turnitin.com prior to its due date. When you receive your TII report, make the changes you need to make. Then, submit this assignment and your TII report to the WC, who will review your report and submit to TII again if necessary. Note that Assignments 1 and 2 MUST be submitted to WC. However, the remaining assignments do not have to be submitted to WC. ALL assignments must be submitted to Turnitin as per graduate school policy.

The WC may make recommendations for improving your assignment. Once the WC has given comments and you have made revisions, submit your assignment to the Assignment Folder for grading by midnight (New York Time) on the last day of Module 01.

By the beginning of Wrapping Up Week, you must provide a link to your completed assignment on your OMDE 610 ePortfolio.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 1. We will use these criteria to grade your project.

ASSIGNMENT 02 - Behaviorist or Cognitivist Learning Activity

DESCRIPTION

Create a Behaviorist / Cognitivist eLearning activity or lesson that is appropriate for the discipline/organization (Higher Ed, HR, K-12, Corporate, etc.) you are currently in, or expect to be in, or are most interested in.

Briefly describe the activity/lesson, indicate its intended audience, and state its key objective(s).

Provide a detailed outline of the activity/lesson.

Explain how the activity/lesson is facilitated by the technology.

Explain how the theory is integral to the practice of your activity/lesson.

Write a rubric to assess the outcome of the activity/lesson.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT

Should include all five key elements listed above.

Make sure name, course, and section heading is on first page, upper left.

800 – 1000 words in length (not including rubric).

Clearly written, with no errors in grammar and spelling.

Style should be formal academic writing.

Direct citations are not to exceed 10%.

Double-spaced, Times New Roman or sans serif, 11- or 12-point font; proper citation of any sources using APA style; no title page, but you should title your essay.

RESOURCES

Our Course Materials list is a good place to start. But in the Conference forum, we will have aSharing Assignment Resources area, where students and faculty can suggest and share articles, books, Web sites and videos appropriate for the assignment.

ABOUT Turnitin.com AND OMDE 610

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin, an educational tool that helps prevent or identify plagiarism from Internet resources. In this class, you are required to submit essays, research papers, case study analyses, other written assignments, and multimedia text electronically to Turnitin. The Turnitin Originality Report will indicate the amount of original text in your work and whether material that you quoted, paraphrased, summarized, or used from another source is appropriately referenced. Nothing in this explanation limits faculty or faculty assistants from submitting student work directly to Turnitin.

When you submit all or part of your assignment to the Turnitin service, Turnitin will ordinarily store that assignment in its database. The assignment will be checked to see if there is any match between your work and other material stored in Turnitin's database. If you object to long-term storage of your work in the Turnitin database, you must let your instructor know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.

You have three options regarding your assignment being stored in the Turnitin database. One, if you do nothing then your assignment will be stored in the Turnitin database for the duration of UMUC's contract with Turnitin. Two, you can ask your instructor to have Turnitin store your assignment only for the duration of the semester or term, then have your assignment deleted from the Turnitin database once the class is over. Three, you can ask your instructor to change the Turnitin settings so that your assignment is not stored in the Turnitin database at any time.

DUE: Last Day of Module 02

Your assignment should first be submitted to Turnitin.com prior to its due date. When you receive your TII report, make the changes you need to make. Then, submit this assignment and your TII report to the WC, who will review your report and submit to TII again if necessary. Note that Assignments 1 and 2

MUST be submitted to WC. However, the remaining assignments do not have to be submitted to WC. ALL assignments must be submitted to Turnitin as per graduate school policy.

The WC may make recommendations for improving your assignment. Once the WC has given comments and you have made your revisions, submit your assignment to the Assignment Folder for grading by midnight (New York Time) on the last day of Module 02.

By the beginning of Wrapping Up Week, you must provide a link to your completed assignment on your OMDE 610 ePortfolio.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 2. We will use these criteria to grade your project.

ASSIGNMENT 03 - Constructivist or OCL Activity

DESCRIPTION

Create a Constructivist / OCL eLearning activity or lesson that is appropriate for the discipline/organization (Higher Ed, HR, K-12, Coorporate, etc.) you are currently in, or expect to be in, or are most interested in.

Briefly describe the activity/lesson, indicate its intended audience, and state its key objective(s).

Provide a detailed outline of the activity/lesson.

Explain how the activity/lesson is facilitated by the technology.

Explain how the theory is integral to the practice of your activity/lesson.

Write a rubric to assess the outcome of the activity/lesson.

DUE: Final draft (after the Turnitin.com and Writing Coach process) must be submitted in your Assignment Folder by midnight on the last day of Module 03.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT

Should include all five key elements listed above.

Make sure name, course, and section heading is on first page, upper left.

800 – 1000 words in length (not including rubric).

Clearly written, with no errors in grammar and spelling.

Style should be formal academic writing.

Direct citations are not to exceed 10%.

Double-spaced, Times New Roman or sans serif, 11- or 12-point font; proper citation of any sources using APA style; no title page, but you should title your essay.

RESOURCES

Our Course Materials list is a good place to start. But in the Conference forum, we will have a Sharing Assignment Resources area, where students and faculty can suggest and share articles, books, Web sites, and videos appropriate for the assignment.

ABOUT Turnitin.com AND OMDE 610

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin, an educational tool that helps prevent or identify plagiarism from Internet resources. In this class, you are required to submit essays, research papers, case study analyses, other written assignments, and multimedia text electronically to Turnitin. The Turnitin Originality Report will indicate the amount of original text in your work and whether material that you quoted, paraphrased, summarized, or used from another source is appropriately referenced. Nothing in this explanation limits faculty or faculty assistants from submitting student work directly to Turnitin.

When you submit all or part of your assignment to the Turnitin service, Turnitin will ordinarily store that assignment in its database. The assignment will be checked to see if there is any match between your work and other material stored in Turnitin's database. If you object to long-term storage of your work in the Turnitin database, you must let your instructor know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.

You have three options regarding your assignment being stored in the Turnitin database. One, if you do nothing then your assignment will be stored in the Turnitin database for the duration of UMUC's contract with Turnitin. Two, you can ask your instructor to have Turnitin store your assignment only for the duration of the semester or term, then have your assignment deleted from the Turnitin database once the class is over. Three, you can ask your instructor to change the Turnitin settings so that your assignment is not stored in the Turnitin database at any time.

DUE: Last day of Module 03

Your assignment should first be submitted to Turnitin.com. When you receive your TII report, make the changes you need to make. Then, if you choose, submit this assignment and your TII report to the WC, who will review your report and submit to TII again if necessary. Note that Assignments 1 and 2 MUST be submitted to WC. However, the remaining assignments do not have to be submitted to WC. ALL assignments must be submitted to Turnitin as per graduate school policy.

The WC may make recommendations for improving your assignment. Once the WC has given comments and you have made your revisions, submit your assignment to the Assignment Folder for grading by midnight (New York Time) on the last day of Module 03.

By the beginning of Wrapping Up Week, you must provide a link to your completed assignment on your OMDE 610 ePortfolio.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 3. We will use these criteria to grade your project.

ASSIGNMENT 04 - Communities of Practice Project

DESCRIPTION

Research a successful online community of practice (OCoP) and report on it. Can be a written report or a presentation. Be sure to answer the following questions in your report, but certainly don't limit yourself to these.

What kind of OCoP is this? What is its history?

What makes this OCoP successful? What DE theories contribute to this success?

How does it function? (See Harasim, pp. 150-151, for more details on this aspect.)

How does this OCoP contribute to learning and building knowledge?

How would you monitor or assess the success of this OCoP?

DETAILS AND BACKGROUND

REPORT

Approximately 1000 words in length.

Direct citations are not to exceed 10%.

Double-spaced, Times New Roman or sans serif, 11- or 12-point font; proper citation of any sources using APA style; no title page, but you should title your essay. Make sure name, course, and section heading is on first page, upper left.

Clearly written, with no errors in grammar and spelling.

Should include an introduction with thesis statement, developed ideas, and a conclusion.

Should be clearly organized.

Should sufficiently address questions suggested by your approach.

Style should be formal academic writing. The essay should include your thoughts and describe your experience on the question you have chosen to write on, but also be supported through literature (from our course or additional research) and logical persuasive argumentation. Avoid using first-person point of view.

PRESENTATION

If you use PowerPoint, you should follow guidelines for the organization of slides. Length should approximate the word length for the written report, and may include audio as part of the length.

You should plan to use audio in your presentation.

Should include an introduction with thesis statement, developed ideas, and a conclusion.

Should be clearly organized.

Should sufficiently address questions suggested by your approach.

Style should be a formal academic presentation. Should include your thoughts and describe your experience on the question you have chosen to write on, but also be supported through literature (from our course or additional research) and logical persuasive argumentation.

RESOURCES

Our Course Materials list is a good place to start. But in the Conference forum, we will have a Sharing Assignment Resources area, where students and faculty can suggest and share articles, books, Web sites, and videos appropriate for the assignment.

NOTE FOR THE PRESENTATION OPTION: There will be an ongoing Discussion Forum in called "PRESENTATION MATTERS" where you can ask questions and receive help on how-to matters, what software to use, etc.

ABOUT Turnitin.com AND OMDE 610

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin, an educational tool that helps prevent or identify plagiarism from Internet resources. In this class, you are required to submit essays, research papers, case study analyses, other written assignments, and multimedia text electronically to Turnitin. The Turnitin Originality Report will indicate the amount of original text in your work and whether material that you quoted, paraphrased, summarized, or used from another source is appropriately referenced. Nothing in this explanation limits faculty or faculty assistants from submitting student work directly to Turnitin.

When you submit all or part of your assignment to the Turnitin service, Turnitin will ordinarily store that assignment in its database. The assignment will be checked to see if there is any match between your work and other material stored in Turnitin's database. If you object to long-term storage of your work in the Turnitin database, you must let your instructor know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.

You have three options regarding your assignment being stored in the Turnitin database. One, if you do nothing then your assignment will be stored in the Turnitin database for the duration of UMUC's contract with Turnitin. Two, you can ask your instructor to have Turnitin store your assignment only for the duration of the semester or term, then have your assignment deleted from the Turnitin database once the class is over. Three, you can ask your instructor to change the Turnitin settings so that your assignment is not stored in the Turnitin database at any time.

DUE: Last Day of Module 04

If you choose to write a report, your assignment should first be submitted to Turnitin.com. When you receive your TII report, make the changes you need to make. Then, if you choose, submit this assignment with the TII report to the WC, who will review your report and submit to TII again if necessary. The WC may make recommendations for improving your assignment. Note that Assignments 1 and 2 MUST be submitted to WC. However, the remaining assignments do not have to be submitted to WC. ALL assignments must be submitted to Turnitin as per graduate school policy.

Once the WC has given comments, submit your assignment to the Assignment Folder for grading by midnight (New York Time) on the last day of Module 04. By the beginning of Wrapping Up Week, you must provide a link to your completed assignment on your OMDE 610 ePortfolio.

If you choose to do a presentation, make certain it is available in your ePortfolio, and submit the URL to your assignment folder by midnight (New York Time) on the last day of Module 04.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 4. We will use these criteria to grade your project.

ASSIGNMENT 05 - Final Project: Memo or Best Practices Presentation

DESCRIPTION

OPTION ONE: Write a memo (to your department head, program coordinator, or Dean) arguing for a new initiative and/or change in organizational policy dealing with online teaching and learning. This policy must be justified and/or informed by research in learning theory.

OPTION TWO: Do a video Web presentation on best practices in a selected area of online teaching and learning, such as: different pedagogical approaches, course development, curricular design, or organizational policy/management. These best practices must be justified/informed in some way by what you have learned about learning theory in this class.

DETAILS

Assignment 05 is the closest thing we have to a culminating assignment in this class. We will be looking to see how you are able to apply what you've learned about learning theory and online technologies by producing a project that, we hope, will not only display what you've learned in class, but also be useful to you in your professional career. Our primary focus here is on how theory can affect/inform/influence the policies of a teaching and learning organization, whether those policies be organizational, technological, curricular, or pedagogical.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR OPTION ONE: MEMO

800-1000 words in length.

No title page, but in proper memo format, containing a header that identifies the audience, writer, subject, and date (no salutation, closing, or signature).

Double-spaced, Times New Roman or other sans serif, 11- or 12-point font.

Clearly written, with no errors in grammar and spelling.

Should be clearly organized with introduction, body, and conclusion

Should contain all the details that the audience will need, but have no excess or redundant information

Effectively use evidence (theory) and logic to support the argument.

Style should be courteous, formal language.

Proper citation of any sources using APA style (Yes, this is a Memo with sources in APA Style).

REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR OPTION TWO: PRESENTATION

Be available on the Web and displayed on your ePortfolio.

Contain audio narration.

Contain video, or be in the format of a streaming slide show.

Be eight to twelve minutes long.

Contain at least one slide (or accompanying Web page) listing references.

RESOURCES

Our Course Materials list is a good place to start. But in the Conference forum, we will have a Sharing Assignment Resources area, where students and faculty can suggest and share articles, books, Web sites and videos appropriate for the assignment.

MEMO:

How to Write a Professional Memo

PRESENTATION:

The Storyboard: An Outline for Visual Technical Communication by Greg Larson

Additional sources may appear in this space during the semester.

NOTE FOR THE PRESENTATION OPTION: There will be an ongoing Discussion Forum in class called "PRESENTATION MATTERS" where you can ask questions and receive help on how-to matters, what software to use, etc.

ABOUT Turnitin.com AND OMDE 610

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin, an educational tool that helps prevent or identify plagiarism from Internet resources. In this class, you are required to submit essays, research papers, case study analyses, other written assignments, and multimedia text electronically to Turnitin. The

Turnitin Originality Report will indicate the amount of original text in your work and whether material that you quoted, paraphrased, summarized, or used from another source is appropriately referenced. Nothing in this explanation limits faculty or faculty assistants from submitting student work directly to Turnitin.

When you submit all or part of your assignment to the Turnitin service, Turnitin will ordinarily store that assignment in its database. The assignment will be checked to see if there is any match between your work and other material stored in Turnitin's database. If you object to long-term storage of your work in the Turnitin database, you must let your instructor know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.

You have three options regarding your assignment being stored in the Turnitin database. One, if you do nothing then your assignment will be stored in the Turnitin database for the duration of UMUC's contract with Turnitin. Two, you can ask your instructor to have Turnitin store your assignment only for the duration of the semester or term, then have your assignment deleted from the Turnitin database once the class is over. Three, you can ask your instructor to change the Turnitin settings so that your assignment is not stored in the Turnitin database at any time.

DUE: Friday, midnight, of last week of class

If you choose to write a MEMO, your assignment should first be submitted to Turnitin.com. When you receive your TII report, make the changes you need to make. Then, if you choose, submit this assignment with the TII report to the WC, who will review your report and submit to TII again if necessary. The WC may make recommendations for improving your assignment. Note that Assignments 1 and 2 MUST be submitted to WC. However, the remaining assignments do not have to be submitted to WC. ALL assignments must be submitted to Turnitin as per graduate school policy.

Once the WC has given comments, submit your assignment to the Assignment Folder for grading by Thursday, midnight (New York Time) last week of class . By the last day of class, you must provide a link to your completed assignment on your OMDE 610 ePortfolio.

If you choose to do a presentation, make certain it is available in your ePortfolio, and submit the URL to your assignment folder by Thursday, midnight (New York Time) last week of class.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 5. We will use these criteria to grade your project.

ASSIGNMENT 06 - CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

OMDE 610 is a discussion-based, online class. Class participation--whether it be conversation in an asynchronous discussion board, peer review of other students' work/portfolios, or participation in an online activity--is one of the main features of this class. This means that your involvement on the Conference Board will be a mandatory means of assessment.

Class Participation involves:

participation in BOTH weeks of a module

postings responding to discussion prompts

peer review in other students' shared works in progress

participation in an online class activity.

The Discussion Board is how you "attend" class. Please log on to our class a minimum of three times EACH week and participate in the required class conversations. Each module will have a forum with a number of threads (typically 3 - 5). Typically, each Module Conference will have at least one activity. In some cases, you will be given some choice in which discussion threads to participate in, though you may want to participate in all threads for a particular module. Unless otherwise directed, you are expected to participate in ALL conferences related directly to our readings.

The conversations work best when participants log on throughout the week--preferably at least once at the beginning of the week (first couple of days), at least once in the middle of the week (second couple of days), and at least once during the last part of the week (last 2-3 days).

Think of the Discussion Board as a place--the virtual space where you "attend" class. Think of the Discussion Board as the heart of this class.

You will be assessed on the quantity and quality of your Participation. Minimally, you must respond substantively to EACH posted discussion topic (except where optional is indicated) and substantively to at least one classmate in EACH topic. It is expected that you respond to other classmates as well. The goal is to enter into collegial conversations with classmates and professors.

Typically, the Discussion Area is where students:

learn through conversation,

interact with fellow students and the instructor,

ask questions,

share work,

offer (and receive) peer review.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Postings should be distributed throughout the discussion period (not on one day or just at the beginning or end of the discussion period.) Plan to respond EACH week.

Respect others' ideas and respond to the content of the message.

Keep the discussion related to the topic.

Review the rubric carefully to guide you in creating quality content.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 6. We will use these criteria to grade your participation.

ASSIGNMENT 07 - E-PORTFOLIOS & LEARNING JOURNALS

ePortfolios:

By the end of Getting Started week, each participant must post the URL to his or her ePortfolio in the Conference thread titled "ePortfolios." From that, we will build an index page of Portfolios that will be available under Course Content.

Of course, we do not expect ePortfolios to be complete until the end of the semester. At the beginning of class, all we are requiring is that you share the URL to your ePortfolio "home page."

By the beginning of Wrapping Up Week, your ePortfolio must contain links to Assignments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as a representation of your Learning Journal entries.

Learning Journals:

We will use the discussion forum area for our Learning Journals. Each class participant will have his/her own thread and will be responsible for making regular posts. By the end of Wrapping up Week, you must take the contents of your Learning Journal and make them available (via Word doc, PDF, or HTML) in your OMDE 610 ePortfolio. Plan to write at least one journal entry each week.

EPORTFOLIOS

Creating an ePortfolio makes you more self-aware and confident, and gives your academic (and professional) work direction and purpose. You will find creative and unique ways to demonstrate your skills, attitudes, and knowledge as you develop this e-Portfolio.

An important assignment this term is to create your ePortfolio if you have not already done that. If you have, consider updating it and improving it during our course. Your professional e-Portfolio marks the beginning of your professional virtual identity. Having a web-link to your CV, resume, or ePortfolio enables you to easily direct a potential employer or reviewer to the artifacts of your professional and academic life.

As you design and create your e-Portfolio, you want to have links or spaces where your assignments and journals and logs will be.

Design is important. And as the assignment suggests, your e-Portfolio must be available on the Internet. Review the links we have provided to guide you with this assignment.

LEARNING JOURNALS

Individual Learning Journals are critical components of this online class. We will check these journal entries routinely throughout the term, so keep them up to date.

Essentially, the Learning Journal is a reflective journal that chronicles your learning experiences with: (a) the course objectives, (b) assigned readings, (c) individual assignments, and (d) community of fellow learners.

You are the expert on your own learning, and this class should be a kind of journey. The Learning Journal is intended to give you an opportunity to reflectively capture that journey. Please do not hesitate to chronicle the problems and failures (e.g., readings you had difficulty with, concepts that didn't make sense, assignments that didn't seem to work for you) as well as the successes.

In this class, we will use the discussion forum area for our Learning Journals. Each class participant will have his/her own thread and will be responsible for making regular posts. Ultimately, however, your journal entries should be made in your ePortfolio under your Journal section.

Other class members will be able to read your Journal. You are expected to make a minimum of two submissions per module. However, you may contribute as many entries as you like to your Learning

Journal.

Early in the module, identify what you want to learn. Near the end of the module, describe this learning journey.

What 'big idea,' concept or issue from this module had the greatest impact on your thinking? Why?

How will this idea, concept, or issue influence your practice as a DE Professional?

What questions remain for you from this module? How will you resolve these questions?

By the end of Wrapping Up Week, you must make the contents of your Learning Journal available (via Word doc, PDF, or HTML) in your OMDE 610 ePortfolio.

Be sure to review the rubric for Assignment 7. We will use these criteria to grade your project.

Academic Policies

Academic Policies and Guidelines

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

As a member of the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) academic community that honors integrity and respect for others you are expected to maintain a high level of personal integrity in your academic work at all times. Your work should be original and must not be reused in other courses.

CLASSROOM CIVILITY

Students are expected to work together cooperatively, and treat fellow students and faculty with respect, showing professionalism and courtesy in all interactions. Please review the Code of Civility for

more guidance on interacting in UMUC classrooms: https://www.umuc.edu/students/support/studentlife/conduct/code.cfm.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

UMUC is committed to ensuring that all individuals are treated equally according to Policy 040.30 Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Sexual Harassment.

Students with disabilities who need accommodations in a course are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) at accessibilityservices@umuc.edu, or call 800-888-UMUC (8682) or 240-684-2287.

The following academic policies and procedures apply to this course and your studies at UMUC.

150.25 Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism – UMUC defines academic dishonesty as the failure to maintain academic integrity. All charges of academic dishonesty will be brought in accordance with this Policy.

Note: Your instructor may use Turnitin.com, an educational tool that helps identify and prevent plagiarism from Internet resources, by requiring you to submit assignments electronically. To learn more about the tool and options regarding the storage of your assignment in the Turnitin database go to: https://www.umuc.edu/library/libresources/turnitin.cfm.

151.00 Code of Student Conduct

170.40

170.41

170.42

The following policies describe the requirements for the award of each degree:

Degree Completion Requirements for the Graduate School

Degree Completion Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

Degree Completion Requirements for an Associate’s Degree

170.71 Policy on Grade of Incomplete - The grade of I is exceptional and only considered for students who have completed 60% of their coursework with a grade of B or better for graduate courses or C or better for undergraduate courses and request an I before the end of the term.

170.72 Course Withdrawal Policy - Students must follow drop and withdrawal procedures and deadlines available at https://www.umuc.edu/ under Academic Calendar.

130.80 Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading – appeals may be made on final course grades as described herein.

205.06 Calculation Of Grade-Point Average (GPA) for Inclusion on Transcripts and Transcript Requests – Note: Undergraduate and Graduate Schools have different Grading Policies (i.e. The Graduate School does not award the grade of D). See Course Syllabus for Grading Policies.

GRADING

According to UMUC’s grading policy, the following marks are used:

Undergraduate Graduate

A 90-100 90-100

B 80-89 80-89

C 70-79 70-79*

D 60-69 N/A**

F 59 or below 69 or below

FN Failure-Non attendance Failure-Non attendance

G Grade Pending Grade Pending

P Passing Passing

S Satisfactory Satisfactory

U Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory

I Incomplete Incomplete

AU Audit Audit

W Withdrew Withdrew

* The grade of "B" represents the benchmark for The Graduate School. Students must maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Classes where final grade of C or F places a student on Academic Probation must be repeated.** The Graduate School does not award the grade of D.

COURSE EVALUATION SURVEY

UMUC values its students' feedback. You will be asked to complete an online evaluation toward the end of the term. The primary purpose of this evaluation process is to assess the effectiveness of classroom instruction in order to provide the best learning experience possible and make continuous improvements to every class. Responses are kept confidential. Please take full advantage of this opportunity to provide your feedback.

LIBRARY SUPPORT

Extensive library resources and services are available online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at https://www.umuc.edu/library/index.cfm to support you in your studies. The UMUC Library provides research assistance in creating search strategies, selecting relevant databases, and evaluating and citing resources in a variety of formats via its Ask a Librarian service at https://www.umuc.edu/library/libask/index.cfm.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORT

To successfully navigate the online classroom new students are encouraged to view the Classroom Walkthrough under Help in the upper right menu of the LEO classroom. Those requiring technical assistance can access Help@UMUC Support directly in LEO under the Help menu. Additional technical support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via self-help and live chat at https://www.umuc.edu/help or by phone toll-free at 888-360-UMUC (8682).

SYLLABUS CHANGES

All items on this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor and the Office of Academic Affairs.

Class & Assignment Schedule

Course Schedule

GETTING STARTED WEEK

Introductions and Planning for the Semester

(Week 1)

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Set up a class portfolio and learning journal.

Discuss the history, influence, and meaning of the Community of Inquiry Model of Online Teaching and Learning.

Establish personal and professional goals for the class.

READINGS

REQUIRED: "Getting Started Week" Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Garrison, Anderson, & Archer. (2010) The First Decade of the Community of Inquiry Framework: A Retrospective.(Course Resources)

RECOMMENDED: An Overview of E-Portfolios (pdf.)

RECOMMENDED: Graduate Student e-portfolios (Penn State. Web)

RECOMMENDED: Should Graduate Students Create E-Portfolios (doc.)

ACTIVITIES

BE SETTING UP: Your ePortfolio and Learning Journal

PARTICIPATE: in the Module Discussion Forum as requested.

POST in your Learning Journal regularly.

DELIVERABLEDUE: by Midnight, last day Getting Started Week, share the URL of your ePortfolio and Learning Journal in the ePortfolio and Learning Journal Discussion thread.

MODULE 01

Historical and Theoretical Foundations

(Weeks 2 - 3)

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Define Learning Theory and be able to identify the most influential learning theories of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Understand the role of learning theories in epistemology.

Explain how learning theory can be useful in informing pedagogy, policy, and technology choices.

Identify the contribution of distance education theory and practice to online teaching and learning.

READINGS

REQUIRED: Module 01 Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Harasim, Chapters 1 and 2. pp. 1-29

REQUIRED: Saba, F. (2003) "Distance Education Theory, Methodology, and Epistemology: A Pragmatic Paradigm" in Handbook of Distance Education. pp. 3-19.

REQUIRED: Ally, M. (2008). "Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning." from The Theory and Practice of Online Learning (online book). pp. 15-44

RECOMMENDED: Anderson. "Towards a Theory of Online Learning" from The Theory and Practice of Online Learning (online book). pp. 45-74

ACTIVITIESPARTICIPATE: in the Module discussion as requested.

POST in your Learning Journal regularly.

DELIVERABLE Assignment 01 - Paper on DE and Online

Due to TA/WC by Thursday, midnight (NY time), week 3.

Due in Assignment Folder by Sunday, midnight, end of week 3.

MODULE 02

Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Rubrics

(Weeks 4 - 5)

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Define behaviorist and cognitivist theories of learning and explore their strengths and weaknesses for online teaching and learning.

Demonstrate how behaviorist and cognitivist theories can inform pedagogical and technological choices.

Exercise Best Practices in the creation and implementation of rubrics for assessment.

READINGS

REQUIRED: Module 02 Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Harasim, Chapters 3 & 4. pp. 30-58.

REQUIRED: Kanuka, H. (2008). "Understanding eLearning Technologies in Practice through Philosophies-in-Practice" from The Theory and Practice of Online Learning (online book). pp. 91-118

REQUIRED: Mertler, Craig A. (2001). Designing Scoring Rubrics for your Classroom.

REQUIRED: Peirce, W. (2006). Designing Rubrics for Assessing Higher Order Thinking.

ACTIVITIES VISIT: the Quality Matters Website and review the Quality Matters rubric

VISIT: the Rubric for Online Instruction Websiteand review their rubric.

PARTICIPATE: in the Module discussion as requested.

POST in your Learning Journal regularly.

DELIVERABLE

Assignment 02 - Behaviorist or Cognitivist Learning Activity: Explanation, Justification, and Rubric

DUE to TA/WC by Thursday, midnight, week 5

Due in Assignment Folder by Sunday, midnight, end of week 5.

MODULE 03

Constructivism, OCL, and Social Media

(Weeks 6 - 7)

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Define constructivist and OCL theories of learning and explore their strengths and weaknesses for online teaching and learning.

Outline the Community of Inquiry Model and discuss its relationship to collaborative and constructivist approaches to learning.

Demonstrate how constructivist and OCL theories can inform pedagogical and technological choices.

Outline ways that Social Media technologies can affect/influence/contribute to online teaching and learning.

READINGS REQUIRED: Module 03 Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Harasim, Chapters 5 & 6. pp. 59-108

REQUIRED: Koohang, Riley & Smith (2009) E-Learning and Constructivism: From Theory to Application.

REQUIRED: Lee, M., & McLoughlin, C. (2010). Beyond Distance and Time Constraints: Applying Social Networking Tools and Web 2.0 Approaches in

Distance Education

ACTIVITIES

EXAMINE/READ: The Community of Inquiry Survey Instrument (Click on the "Download the COI survey" link.)

PARTICIPATE: in the Module discussion as requested.

POST in your Learning Journal regularly.

DELIVERABLE

Assignment 03 - Constructivist or OCL Activity: Explanation and Justification

DUE to TA/WC by Thursday, midnight, week 7.

Due in Assignment Folder by Sunday, midnight, end of week 7.

MODULE 04

Connectivism, Communities of Practice, & MOOCs

(Weeks 8 - 9)

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Explore the range of what community means in the field of online teaching and learning.

Define connectivism and discuss how connectivism and the open educational resources movement has contributed to the development of MOOCs.

Discuss the current state MOOCs (xMOOCs and cMOOCs) and describe how they may affect the current and future roles of instructors, learners, course designers, and educational institutions and other stakeholders.

Discuss structure and choice in the context of how students learn and how instructors, course designers, and institutions may (or may not) effectively facilitate that learning.

READINGS REQUIRED: Module 04 Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Harasim, Chapters 7 & 9. pp. 109-122;140-168.

REQUIRED: Siemens, George. (2004). Connectivism: Learning Theory for the Digital Age.

REQUIRED: Downes, Stephen. (2007). Introduction to Connective Knowledge.

REQUIRED: Kop, R. & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning Theory of the Future or Vestige of the Past?

REQUIRED: Siemens, George. (2012). What is the Theory that Underpins our MOOCs? (Blog post)

ACTIVITIES

EXPLORE: Recent videos, blogs, and articles on MOOCs on the Web

FIND a MOOC: and sign up

PARTICIPATE: in the Module discussion as requested.

POST in your Learning Journal regularly.

DELIVERABLE

Assignment 04 - Communities of Practice Project

DUE to TA/WC by Thursday, midnight, week 9.

Due in Assignment Folder by Sunday, midnight, end week 9.

MODULE 05

Best Practices: Theory, Policy, and the DE Organization

(Weeks 10 - 11)

OBJECTIVES At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Discuss the range of best practices in online teaching and learning as theory moves into practice.

Discuss how theory does (or does not) inform policy in the DE organization.

Create a set of best practices in online teaching and learning that is informed by theory and is appropriate for a specific educational organization.

READINGS

REQUIRED: Module 05 Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Harasim, Chapter 8. pp. 121-139

REQUIRED: Moisey, S. & Hughes, J. (2008). "Supporting the Online Llearner" from The Theory and Practice of Online Learning (online book). pp. 419-439

REQUIRED: Otte & Banke (2006), Online learning: New models in leadership and organization.

REQUIRED: Sangra, A., Guardia, L., & Gonzalez-Sanmamed, M. (2007). Educational design as a key issue in planning for quality improvement.

ACTIVITIES

BE WORKING ON: Your final project due during Wrap Up Week

PARTICIPATE: in the Module discussion as requested.

POST in your Learning Journal regularly.

DELIVERABLEDUE: Sunday, midnight, end of week 10: Complete Your Learning Journal and Post in Folder.

WRAP UP WEEK

(Week 12)

OBJECTIVES Complete final projects.

Assess the class.

Draw conclusions?

ACTIVITIES

REQUIRED: Wrap Up Week Overview under Course Content

REQUIRED: Harasim, chapter 10. pp. 168-174

REQUIRED: Crosslin, M. (2010). When the future finally arrives: Web 2.0 becomes Web 3.0. (in Reserved Readings)

PARTICIPATE: in the Module discussion as requested.

DELIVERABLE

Assignment 05 - Final Project: Memo or Best Practices Presentation

DUE to TA/WC by Tuesday, midnight, week 12.

Due in Assignment folder by Friday, midnight, end of week 12.