Online Course Syllabus Template

In the current issue of the Journal of Interactive Online Learning, authors Lewis, Baker and Britigan recommend the use of a template for designing an online course and syllabus:

"Use a sample course and materials as a template or foundation on which instructors can build a new course, customizing it as necessary. The template provides the basic course structure and navigation, introductory information modules, and suggestions for content to enhance the course site. Using the template also speeds up development time and may also facilitate the course development process for new online instructors - for example, a course syllabus template that shows all the key components and content areas in detail."

Here's a link to the full text.

Online Syllabus Template Tool (OSTT) Licensed from Utah State University

I have entered into a licensing agreement with USU to develop the Online Syllabus Template Tool.

I have also developed a version 3, which can be downloaded from Google Docs.

PDF Assignment Builder update

Well, I had an interesting few minutes this morning :)

I created a post on AcrobatUsers.com about the PDF Assignment Builder. This morning I received several comments that suggested I was violating Adobe's EULA.

I contacted a Adobe representative, a very nice young man that I will call "Carl". He spoke to an Acrobat licensing specialist, and confirmed that because no third-party (non-Adobe) software was used to create the file, that I was in compliance with their license.

Subject Matter Expert Personal Resources Inventory (SMEPRI)

I've created a video that shows how to use the Subject Matter Expert Personal Resources Inventory (SMEPRI).

You can download the SMEPRI here.

 

PDF Assignment Builder

For a while now I have been building assignment files for instructors using Adobe LiveCycle and Adobe Acrobat Pro. I have also been building Instructional Design tools in PDFs, such as the Online Syllabus Template Tool (OSTT).

Creating assignments in PDF format came from my frustration at instructors receiving submissions in an endless variety of formats (.docx, .doc, .wpd, .txt, etc.) in spite of putting very specific language about acceptable file formats in their syllabi. With PDF files, that problem was eliminated.

As I created more assignments in PDFs, I began to realize the potential of these files:

1. No software to buy: They open in Adobe Reader, so there is no need for students to purchase Microsoft Word if they are working on a personal machine, as many distance and non-traditional students do.

2. Built-in accessibility tools for disabled instructors and/or students (more on this in a future post).

3. PDF files work with all browsers, on all operating systems.

Anyway, for me the "holy grail" was to build a tool that would allow instructors to create assignments as PDFs, WITHOUT having to purchase Acrobat Pro.

And I think I've gotten there with the PDF Assignment Builder.

Click here to watch a tutorial on using the Assignment Builder. You can download the file here.

OAR model citation

The OAR model got a "shout out" in the Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education (TOJDE). Here's the link.

Updated Data-driven Design Course Evolution Illustration

Here is an updated version of the data-driven design evolution illustration:

You can see the original post here.