Committee on Online Learning

Minutes for Meeting: April 20, 2010

(Attendees: Ramona Silver(chair), Norman Buchwald, Bob Buell, Richard Dinwiddie, Michael Langdon, Jan Novak, Lisa Ulibarri, Minta Winsor, Wanda Wong and Sherri Yeager)

1). The committee discussed the logistics of all of our upcoming online and hybrid course demonstrations. The chair informed the committee that all demonstrations would be held in Room 1506 in Building 1500. To date all demonstrations have been scheduled except for Adrian Huang Architecture 12. The committee discussed offering Professor Huang the possibility of doing the demonstration via e-mail because his schedule of availability does not coincide with the availability of the review team members. The chair will attempt to find a mutual time if possible and also set up an e-mail demo if necessary.

a). Additionally the committee discussed other possible methods to do course demonstrations that would make it more convenient for both the committee members and the faculty who propose courses. Wanda Wong suggested conference calls. She also suggested that it may be better to be able to view the course before we actually do the demonstration. Minta WInsor suggested a conference call method as well. Lisa Ulibarri, suggested we do them via e-mail. Wanda Wong liked the idea of e-mail demonstrations for the flexibility. Sherri Yeager also discussed the value of e-mail demonstrations. However, Jan Novak pointed out that these in-person are very valuable to our colleagues because they give them the opportunity to ask questions of the review team. The committee will discuss this again in the Fall, keeping in mind that we must adhere to our curriculum criteria.

2). Although Tom Clark was not able to attend our meeting today, Mary Dermody briefly discussed the need for a Student Conduct policy for online instruction. Many students take advantage of an online or e-mail environment to insult and harass instructors without fear of consequences. For example, At our May 4, 2010 meeting this item will be first on our Agenda.

4. Sherri Yeager and others present today expressed concern over the way that some online classes were cut in ratio to face-to-face classes for the Summer session 2010. We think that there should be clear guidelines for how these decisions are made because we want to be sure there is access for all students. In the Summer many students need to have full-time jobs and having online classes enables them to do this. The committee plan to discuss the cuts of online classes further in subsequent meetings because there seems to be a discrepancy in policies between divisions.

5. The chair discussed whether the committee would agree to a change in the default course menu for the upgrade in Blackboard 9. She informed the committee that in the most recent conference call with Las Positas, Minta Winsor and Ramona Silver presented the idea of changing the "Course Information" button to "Syllabus". Both Ramona Silver and Minta Winsor felt that making that change would make it easier for both instructors and students because it would present a clear and specific place to put the course syllabus. Additionally if the instructor wanted to change it in his/her menu, he/she could easily do so. Professor Richard Dry asked R. Silver, chair to bring this to the COOL for an official vote and to inform him of the result of the vote. The COOL committee voted unanimously to change the Course Information button to Syllabus on the default menu in upcoming upgrade to BB.9.

4). The Committee on Online Learning graciously voted to keep Ramona SIlver as their Chair for the 2010-2011 Academic Year!

Next COOL Meeting is Scheduled for Tuesday May 4, 2010 at NOON In the IOB 405!