As required in the current faculty contract (page 10-4), the process calls for all faculty planning to:
to present a DE course delivery plan to the DE Committee.
There are three primary reasons for this.
Title 5 Regulations require separate course approval for distance education delivery courses according to the district's certified course approval procedures. (Section 55378)
The answer depends on deadlines. Ideally, the ITC staff strongly recommends that before attempting to teach online, you request introductory Blackboard training, and gradually incorporate various uses of Blackboard into your on-campus courses for a few semesters. However, due to deadlines, you may find yourself requesting Introductory Blackboard training and going thru the DE proposal process synchronously. For both processes, you will be meeting with the instructional designer for training and for consultations.
Title 5 Regulations specify that "All approved courses offered as distance education shall include regular effective contact between instructor and students, through group or individual meetings, orientation and review sessions, supplemental seminar or study sessions, field trips, library workshops, telephone contact, correspondence, voicemail, email, or other activities." (Section 55376) This language was adopted by the Board of Governors in July 1998, changing the focus from "in-person contact" to "regular effective contact" for credit transferable courses.
- How will students participate in the course?
- What variety of learning options are made available for different students with different learning styles?
- What technical, academic, and learning resources are required?
- What about access for students with disabilities?
"Curriculum committees must make a judgement as to the quality of the course based on a review of the appropriateness of the methods of presentation, assignments, evaluation of student performance, and instructional materials. Are these components adequate to achieve the stated objectives of the course?"
Opportunity vs. Obstacle Course: The curriculum review is intended to assist faculty interested in creating a course of the highest possible quality. There is not a single, "most effective" model for distance education that everyone must follow, but rather an entire continuum of delivery modes. How much the class will rely on technology, videos, on-campus meetings, or off-campus contact depends totally on the curriculum, the instructor, and the students. The questions to be discussed should be made available to all interested faculty and staff, and effective proposals should be shared as exemplars.
Please click on process overview.