Management Guidelines


Home Policies/Guidelines/Tools Orientation/Introduction Communication Management Direct Instruction Discussion/Collaboration Assessment/Feedback Additional Resources Student Success Strategies Glossary and Resources Tips/Strategies/Techniques Self Evaluation	Management Guidelines Management Standards The tools and media support the learning objectives, and are appropriately chosen to deliver the content of the course Navigation throughout the online components of the course is logical, consistent, and efficient Students have ready access to the technologies required in the course The course components are compatible with current standards for delivery modes Instructions on how to access resources at a distance are sufficient and easy to understand The course design takes full advantage of available tools and media Strategies and Ideas When it comes to students who have little or no active presence in the class, I would most likely email that student privately to see if I can gain an understanding of any problems they might be having with my course. By understanding any barriers they might be experiencing, I might be able to suggest ways I can help them or ways they can get help. I think that usually when you have a student who does not have any active presence in the class, it might be because that student has dropped out. However, I am quite sure that colleges will inform its instructors when a student drops out. If by chance I don't receive a reply from the non-participating student that I email, I will then try to call them on the phone. If for some reason I am unable to reach the student by phone, or leave a voice mail and don't receive a call back, I would contact that particular student's advisor to see if I can gain some insight on what the problem might be. To remind students of upcoming assignments and due dates, I would post a weekly announcement in the class portal and possibly send all students and email containing the same announcement. Because some students will not log into the class portal daily, I thinnk it is best to use multiple ways of sending announcements. Late assignments will result is reduced points unless students contact me before the due date explaining any problems that might be experiencing in getting them turned in on time. I would much rather receive a good finished project that is late than one that was just thrown together so as to get it turned in on time. I would also take into consideration any health or family problems the student might be experiencing. Those who do not submit their projects at all will receive zero points. I can work with students having problems that might cause projects to submitted late. However, regardless of the situation, if they do not turn in a finished project at all, they will not receive any points. to receive points, an effort must be made. Course content will be provided in the class portal (Blackboard, Moodle, eFront, etc.) and in multiple ways depending on the lesson at hand. To explain a concept, I might create an instructional video explaining a step-by-step proceedure, and provide a pdf downloadable document with still screenshots that explain the same concept. By using this method, the video will show the student the process being completed in real time, while the hard copy can walk them through the steps while they are completing the process on their own. Other tools may be used as well, such as links to helpful resources, as well as an explaination of what to read in the required textbook. All course content would be structured in folders. Within the class portal, I would provide a "Course Overview" folder which houses important course informations such as the syllabus, weekly assignment schedule, policies, guidelines, etc. These items would also be available within the main pages of my class website as well. I would also provide weekly folders in the class portal that houses all information for each particular week. For example, a weekly folder might look like that which follows: Course Overview Welcome letter Syllabus Weekly class schedule Class directory Week #1 Folder Assignment - this would be the lesson plan that includes project directions, objectives, what to read in the required text, and a rubric for assessment. Links to outside resources with their descriptions Instructional videos Instructional pdf document Any other resources I feel are pertinent to the lesson at hand. An example of a policy I might use for inactive students, late or missing assignments, and technical difficulties is shown below. Late Policy: All assignments and quizzes are due at 11:59pm on the due date. A late submission will receive a 20% penalty. Submissions more than 1 week late are not accepted. If you are forced to submit something late due to illness or a family emergency, please let me know. Late work will not be graded unless the student sends their instructor an email explaining why. I am here to help, but cannot do so, I you don't tell me the problems you are having. Non-submitted assignments will receive a final grad of zero. I cannot give points for something I do not have. Inactive Students: If you are enrolled in my class and I find that you are not participate in anything, including discussion boards and assignment submissions, please email me with any problems you might be experienceing so that I may be of assistance. I am here to help you succeded. If I do not recieve notice form the university that you have withdrawn from my class and I do not receive an email from you, I will attempt to email you in hope of gaining insight on any problems you are having. If I do not get an email reply for you, I will then try to call the phone number you listed with the university. If by chance I do not get a hold of you by phone and you do not return my call, I will then contact your advisor. Please be advised that there is a certain date by which you can withdraw from a course. If you are an non-participating student who has not withdrawn from my class by the required date to do so and all attemps to contact you have failed, you will recieve a final class grade of and "F." Technical Difficulties: Technical difficulty is not an excuse not to get your work done on time. Therefore, you need to develop a “plan B” for how you will submit work in the event of computer problems. Not only does the school provide computer labs, but your local library most likely does as well. However, there are other things you can do to solve technical problems that may arise during your online class or exams. First and foremost, mmake sure that you have the proper equipment before you begin the class. Be sure to check the technical requirements and make sure that you have a proper computer with a supported browser, and that you have reliable Internet access. Discussion forums will be available in the class portal to post questions concerning technical difficulties, as well as assignments that the instructor or other students can answer. The university provides technical support for online courses through its helpdesk which can be accessed through several channels: Call 330.672.HELP Refer to the Troubleshooting Guide. Visit the Online Support Center where you can submit a ticket requesting support or chat with a support representative in real time. If at any time your technical problems prevent you from making a deadline or finishing an assignment, contact your professor as well as technical support. Resources Kent State University Helpdesk. (n.d.). Information services. Retrieved from http://www.kent.edu/is/helpdesk/index.cfm
Copyright © 2012 Amy E. Hissom - ITEC-67444 - Teaching Online Courses - Personal Online Teaching Toolkit - Fall 2012

Policies/Guidelines/Tools
Orientation/Introduction
Communication
Management
Direct Instruction
Discussion/Collaboration
Assessment/Feedback

Additional Resources
Student Success Strategies
Glossary and Resources
Tips/Strategies/Techniques
Self Evaluation

Management Guidelines

Management Standards

The tools and media support the learning objectives, and are appropriately chosen to deliver the content of the course
Navigation throughout the online components of the course is logical, consistent, and efficient
Students have ready access to the technologies required in the course
The course components are compatible with current standards for delivery modes
Instructions on how to access resources at a distance are sufficient and easy to understand
The course design takes full advantage of available tools and media

Strategies and Ideas

When it comes to students who have little or no active presence in the class, I would most likely email that student privately to see if I can gain an understanding of any problems they might be having with my course. By understanding any barriers they might be experiencing, I might be able to suggest ways I can help them or ways they can get help. I think that usually when you have a student who does not have any active presence in the class, it might be because that student has dropped out. However, I am quite sure that colleges will inform its instructors when a student drops out. If by chance I don't receive a reply from the non-participating student that I email, I will then try to call them on the phone. If for some reason I am unable to reach the student by phone, or leave a voice mail and don't receive a call back, I would contact that particular student's advisor to see if I can gain some insight on what the problem might be.

To remind students of upcoming assignments and due dates, I would post a weekly announcement in the class portal and possibly send all students and email containing the same announcement. Because some students will not log into the class portal daily, I thinnk it is best to use multiple ways of sending announcements. Late assignments will result is reduced points unless students contact me before the due date explaining any problems that might be experiencing in getting them turned in on time. I would much rather receive a good finished project that is late than one that was just thrown together so as to get it turned in on time. I would also take into consideration any health or family problems the student might be experiencing. Those who do not submit their projects at all will receive zero points. I can work with students having problems that might cause projects to submitted late. However, regardless of the situation, if they do not turn in a finished project at all, they will not receive any points. to receive points, an effort must be made.

Course content will be provided in the class portal (Blackboard, Moodle, eFront, etc.) and in multiple ways depending on the lesson at hand. To explain a concept, I might create an instructional video explaining a step-by-step proceedure, and provide a pdf downloadable document with still screenshots that explain the same concept. By using this method, the video will show the student the process being completed in real time, while the hard copy can walk them through the steps while they are completing the process on their own. Other tools may be used as well, such as links to helpful resources, as well as an explaination of what to read in the required textbook.

All course content would be structured in folders. Within the class portal, I would provide a "Course Overview" folder which houses important course informations such as the syllabus, weekly assignment schedule, policies, guidelines, etc. These items would also be available within the main pages of my class website as well. I would also provide weekly folders in the class portal that houses all information for each particular week. For example, a weekly folder might look like that which follows:

Course Overview

Welcome letter
Syllabus
Weekly class schedule
Class directory

Week #1 Folder

Assignment - this would be the lesson plan that includes project directions, objectives, what to read in the required text, and a rubric for assessment.
Links to outside resources with their descriptions
Instructional videos
Instructional pdf document
Any other resources I feel are pertinent to the lesson at hand.

An example of a policy I might use for inactive students, late or missing assignments, and technical difficulties is shown below.

Late Policy:

All assignments and quizzes are due at 11:59pm on the due date. A late submission will receive a 20% penalty. Submissions more than 1 week late are not accepted. If you are forced to submit something late due to illness or a family emergency, please let me know. Late work will not be graded unless the student sends their instructor an email explaining why. I am here to help, but cannot do so, I you don't tell me the problems you are having. Non-submitted assignments will receive a final grad of zero. I cannot give points for something I do not have.

Inactive Students:

If you are enrolled in my class and I find that you are not participate in anything, including discussion boards and assignment submissions, please email me with any problems you might be experienceing so that I may be of assistance. I am here to help you succeded. If I do not recieve notice form the university that you have withdrawn from my class and I do not receive an email from you, I will attempt to email you in hope of gaining insight on any problems you are having. If I do not get an email reply for you, I will then try to call the phone number you listed with the university. If by chance I do not get a hold of you by phone and you do not return my call, I will then contact your advisor. Please be advised that there is a certain date by which you can withdraw from a course. If you are an non-participating student who has not withdrawn from my class by the required date to do so and all attemps to contact you have failed, you will recieve a final class grade of and "F."

Technical Difficulties:

Technical difficulty is not an excuse not to get your work done on time. Therefore, you need to develop a “plan B” for how you will submit work in the event of computer problems. Not only does the school provide computer labs, but your local library most likely does as well. However, there are other things you can do to solve technical problems that may arise during your online class or exams.

First and foremost, mmake sure that you have the proper equipment before you begin the class. Be sure to check the technical requirements and make sure that you have a proper computer with a supported browser, and that you have reliable Internet access.
Discussion forums will be available in the class portal to post questions concerning technical difficulties, as well as assignments that the instructor or other students can answer.
The university provides technical support for online courses through its helpdesk which can be accessed through several channels:
- Call 330.672.HELP
- Refer to the Troubleshooting Guide.
- Visit the Online Support Center where you can submit a ticket requesting support or chat with a support representative in real time.

If at any time your technical problems prevent you from making a deadline or finishing an assignment, contact your professor as well as technical support.

Resources

Kent State University Helpdesk. (n.d.). Information services. Retrieved from http://www.kent.edu/is/helpdesk/index.cfm