Click on a question to link to the answer:

1. What is the difference between an "Online Class" and a "Online Self-paced" class?
2. What is the process?
3. What is the typical workload?
4. What technologies are involved?
5. What computer skills do I need?
6. What kind of training is available to me?
7. What support can I count on?
8. How am I compensated for my work?
9. What am I expected to deliver for this grant?
10. What are the advantages to the student?
11. Can I still apply if my course has a laboratory component?
12. Where do I get an application?

What is the difference between an "Online Class" and a "Online Self-paced" class?

Online classes are ones that meet best practices for online learning and require student interaction through discussions and group work. Enrollments in online courses are typically limited to 20-25 participants.

Online self-paced classes, while still having target dates for assignments and assessments, do not have discussions or group work. Enrollments in online self-paced classes are substantially greater; 50 or more students.

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What is the Process?

At the beginning of each semester the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Fairmont State University amd the Provost of Fairmont State Community and Technical College will distribute a Request for Proposal (RFP) for online course development. The request will include important dates and desired courses that will fit into online programs and/or certificates. A committee will review the proposals for quality and pertinence and select the course development that best fulfills the Colleges' instructional goals and online initiatives.

Once your proposal is accepted you will be required to attend training for online course development. This training will cover aspects of quality online courses, and how to use Blackboard Vista, our online course management system. You will also be required to have regularly scheduled work sessions with Learning Technologies and/or Web and Media Services staff to ensure access to technical and instructional design assistance.

Transferring a traditional course to an online format can take anywhere from 100 to 500 hours the first time through. The next time you offer the course it may take anywhere from 5 to 25 hours for minor updates and preparation.

There are a variety of technologies in use for content development. By and large content is created with your basic software (Microsoft Office products, Netscape Composer, etc.). Additionally, products like Respondus, RealAudio/ Video, and Flash may be used for some specialty work.

Our online course management system is Blackboard Vista. This software is used as a "container" that stores and manages content. It also provides a basic discussion board, rudimentary content development tools, an internal e-mail client, synchronous chat functions, and many other features used to manage and deliver the course and content. In addition, over the coming semesters, this course management system will be increasingly integrated with our student information system (Morris and/or Banner Student).

If you have basic skills using e-mail, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office you have the skills you need to get started. Faculty should not be discouraged from submitting a proposal if they do not have these skills, as special group and individualized training sessions will be provided.

The Learning Technologies Center staff will offer training on a number of software applications used to develop and manage content, Blackboard Vista, and online course theory. If you know of other specialized training opportunities, you may also request additional funding and support for participation in those.

As you develop your course the entire staff of the Learning Technology Center will be available for pedagogical support; and a team of faculty mentors who are currently teaching online will be available for general questions and support. The team works together to solve new problems, provide solutions and workarounds for known problems, and document best practices so no one has to reinvent the wheel.

 The Learning Technologies Center located on the first floor of Musick Library. The staff will be available (by appointment) to assist you in creating digital photos and videos, scanning course content and other materials, and developing multimedia materials for online course use.

Grantees and their respective chairs will decide whether the grantee will receive:

1. a stipend of $1000.00 per credit hour
2. a combination of stipend and release time totaling $1000 per credit hour. Release time would be given to develop the course with that portion of the stipend amount used to pay an adjunct. The remaining amount would be paid to the grantee the semester he/she teaches the class.

• Provide a 1-page interim report (For those selecting the stipend offer - 1st ½ of development stipend paid at this time)
• Provide a final report (For those selecting the stipend offer - 2nd ½ of development stipend paid at this time)
• Have a course actually delivered during the fall and/or spring semester of the  academic year (with the scheduling approval of the School Chair or Dean of Instruction) (delivery stipend paid over the semester)
• Provide a demonstration of the course to colleagues at a Conversations in Teaching and Learning forum or other campus activity.

With online asynchronous education, self-motivated learners thrive. The Virtual Classroom is available anytime of the day or night, gives students the opportunity to develop thoughtful answers to class discussion topics and can actually bring some students out of their shell.

One of the most challenging aspects of distance education is to provide students who are not on campus with experiences that are equivalent to those of other students in fully equipped laboratories. A critical initial step is for faculty to determine how crucial a hands-on experience in a laboratory setting is in ensuring that students achieve the desired learning. For example, it is possible to design activities that teach students the skills of close observation without conducting lab-based experiments. When alternative activities to lab experiences are not suitable, one or more of the following solutions might be appropriate.

• Some institutions develop lab kits that contain the special equipment and supplies students need to complete one or more lab experiences, and written directions that outline the assignments and list the other materials students will need to complete the assignments. For example, the University of Maine sends out a kit containing a fetal pig for dissection.
• Another option is to conduct lab experiments at one location on an interactive video network. Students at all sites actively participate by conferring on the steps to be followed, and by observing, interpreting data, and suggesting follow-up activities.
• Videotape the experiments and edit them, using graphics to pose questions of the viewer as the experiment progresses: What do you think will happen next? Why did such-and-such happen? Which of the following explanations are consistent with the data?
• Off-the-shelf computer simulations are increasingly available. Depending on the cost and the hardware requirements, students might either purchase simulations as part of their instructional materials or travel -- either alone or in groups -- to a library or off-campus location to work with computer simulations.
• Students are sometimes required to travel to a central location with laboratory facilities to complete an intensive lab module over several days or weeks. Similarly, they might travel to decentralized locations -- study centers or regional campuses -- to do lab assignments over a week or several weekends.*

  *Note: Online courses at Fairmont State University and Fairmont State Community and Technical College may incorporate two-three campus visits.

Information provided, by permission, from: University of Maryland

Obtain an application by either printing out our PDF version of the file and sending it to the Learning Technology Centeror by contacting:

The Learning Technology Center
126 Library
Campus phone: 367-4167