Online Course F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions
- General Information
- Registration, Adding/Dropping and ���Incomplete��� Grades
- Books
- Getting started
- Blackboard Login and Use
- Course Operation
General EDTEC 540 Course Information
Q. How does the EDTEC 540 Online course work?
A. Students can access EDTEC 540 course content, assignments and other
resources 24 hours each day via the course website. In addition, a
required weekly content/discussion session is provided. Your instructor
will communicate through email each week to highlight relevant topics,
assignments and deadlines. Course content is presented through an
online course delivery tool. In addition, you will read texts that
supplement online content.
Q. What assignments must I complete? How will my grade be determined?
A. EDTEC 540 currently requires two individually-completed assignments:
- Conducting a performance analysis
- Designing and developing an information support tool (job aid)
A midterm that confirms your mastery of objective writing, and a comprehensive final exam also contribute to your course grade.
Finally, your postings to the course discussion board will figure into your participation grade.
Q. Do I have to participate in synchronous sessions? Will participation
influence my grade?
A. We realize that finding a time to accommodate every student’s
schedule is difficult. Time zones, work schedules and the
responsibilities of everyday life may preclude participation. However,
would it be possible to take a face-to-face class without ever attending
class sessions or interacting with classmates and the instructor?
We know that success typically comes to students who actively
participate and engage with one another, the instructor and the course
content. Therefore, you are expected to attend
synchronous meetings. Participation has no impact on your participation grade.
However, to succeed in the course you will need the content and
discussion these online sessions provide. Each is archived for
your future reference, and for those occasions you cannot attend.
Q. I’ve heard taking an online course is easier than taking
the course on campus. Is this true?
A. Last year a student who was in EDTEC 540 for eight weeks dropped out.
When asked why she would drop out halfway through the course, her reply
was that the course was nothing like what she expected: it "was as
hard as a real class."
This online course is equally as challenging as its on campus counterpart. However, learning at a distance places additional responsibilities on the student. Students must effectively manage their learning, identify when help is needed, and actively seek assistance from the course materials and/or the Instructor. Students considering EDTEC 540 should carefully assess their potential to succeed in this online learning environment.
Q. How much time will I need to dedicate to be successful in the
course?
A. It is difficult to provide an exact answer to this question since every
student is different. Most college advisors suggest you should plan to spend
three hours out of class for every course unit you take. Using this formula
and EDTEC 540’s three (3) unit value, on campus you would expect to
spend three (3) hours in class and nine (9) hours out-of-class studying
each week. While I believe most students can accomplish the weekly readings
and assignments in far less than 12 hours, it is important to be aware of
these facts.
Q. What computer skills must I have for EDTEC 540?
A. EDTEC 540 is a survey of the Educational Technology field. The primary
technology-based tasks required by the course are Internet browsing, retrieval
of documents from the Internet, emailing – including attachments,
and production of assignments using MS Word. In addition, we recommend that you
possess the ability to create and post a simple webpage.
In addition, design of your job aid often requires page layout and manipulation of graphics. Depending on your topic and delivery medium, this may be accomplished through MS Word, publishing software and/or web page production software. The highest grades for this assignment reflect professionally produced products.
Q. What technology do I need for EDTEC 540?
A. You must have a computer with internet access, email, and a word processing
program – ideally Microsoft Word. While high-speed access (cable modem,
DSL) is helpful, telephone line access will suffice.
You must have a single email address that does not change from the beginning until the end of the semester. Your instructor and fellow students will count on email for communication and tracking changing email addresses throughout the semester is an unreasonable responsibility to place upon your colleagues.
Q. I’m not very good with computers. Will someone be available
to help me?
A. Our primary responsibility is to facilitate course content, communications
and assignments. Your instructor and course assistant cannot provide significant
amounts of technical support. Limited technical support is available through
SDSU’s College of Education Lab. See http://edweb.sdsu.edu/iml/student_help.php
Q. I’ve never used an online course delivery
platform before. Will someone be available to teach me how to use it?
A. We will strive to answer questions when problems arise, but you will
need to dedicate the time necessary to familiarize yourself with the
basics of the course tool. This is a course in educational
technology - and being able to independently tackle and learn new
technology tools is something we expect of our students throughout the
entire graduate program.
Q. I’m interested in the EDTEC Certificate or the EDTEC Masters
program. Do you have information available about that program?
A. Yes. Point your browser to http://edtec.sdsu.edu/distance/ for more information.
Q. What character traits make for success in EDTEC 540… and
beyond?
A. You don’t have to think too long to identify a learning experience
where what was taught did not match what you were expected to do in practice
(on the job, on the test, etc.). Chief among tenents of instructional design
is the charge to enable and support authentic and successful performance.
In EDTEC 540 we not only learn about Instructional Design, but try to experience
it by example – in essence, the course instruction. For this reason,
if the character traits that enable success in our course were markedly
different from those that enable success in the broader field of Educational
Technology, we’d be in danger of hypocrisy.
With that said, here is a short list of four things that – in my experience – correlate well with success in the class, and the field of Educational Technology:
- Interest in Our Field – When designing a training
program, the people we train seldom have the choice to participate; it’s
mandatory. Therefore, we look at the motivation of our trainees and if
it isn’t high, we address that concern. It is somewhat different
in EDTEC 540. Those who take EDTEC 540 self-select to join us for diverse
reasons. I trust that whatever your reason, you will align with the course intent:
to be introduced to the field of Educational Technology. If that fails
to interest you, then whatever tactics I choose to motivate your learning will
likely fail.
- Continuous Inquiry – Much of what we do requires uncovering information,
details, existing knowledge, attitudes, abilities, and the like. You will
need to “get into the shoes” of other people, and to look at things
their way. Have a mind that constantly questions and examines situations
from myriad viewpoints. This is true in analysis, as well as the general
application of the Instructional Systems Design Model. Moving from one
stage of ADDIE to the next requires constant analysis of where you are,
where you’ve been, and where you’re going.
- Desire to Solve Problems – This is the business we’re in…
making things better – for teachers, students, assembly line workers,
baristas at Starbucks, new account representatives at Union Bank, or volunteers
with the Girl Scouts of America. From training to online performance support;
job aids to incentive programs; and information access to knowledge management
– regardless of the solution or the audience, our
goal is to solve problems. Building on inquiry,
have a mind that formulates multiple solutions, tests them based upon
hard data, and considers all causes of a problem when crafting the solution.
- Effective Communication – This is a critical skill that, left unattained, will haunt you throughout your graduate studies - and beyond. Communicate in a succinct, effective manner that expresses your points, but does not belabor. This includes vigilance toward spelling, grammar, phrasing, and formatting.
Q. I’m considering registering, but I still have questions
that have not been answered here. Who should I contact?
A. Dr. Donn Ritchie coordinates SDSU’s Educational Technology online
programs. He can be reached at dritchie@mail.sdsu.edu.
Registration,
Adding/Dropping and “Incomplete” Grades
Q. How do I register for EDTEC 540?
A. San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies handles
all registration-related course logistics. You can reach their website at
http://www.ces.sdsu.edu/
Q. I’m considering taking EDTEC 540, but the semester has
already begun. Should I add the course? Will I be at a disadvantage?
A. Students who add beyond the first week will have a minimum of two weeks
of work to complete during their first enrolled week (e.g., if you enroll
in Week 02, you will need to complete all work from Weeks 01 and 02).
Q. I’ve decided that I cannot continue in the course. How
do I withdraw?
A. San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies handles
all registration-related course logistics. You can reach their website at
http://www.ces.sdsu.edu/
Q. Will I receive a refund if I withdraw from the course?
A. Whether you receive a refund, and the refund amount, is determined by
your withdrawal date. San Diego State University’s College of Extended
Studies handles all registration-related course logistics. You can reach
their website at http://www.ces.sdsu.edu/
Q. My workload has become very busy and I can no longer dedicate
the necessary time to this course. Can I take an Incomplete and finish the
course during a future semester?
A. This situation does not meet the criteria for assignment of an Incomplete.
Should you find yourself in this situation, your primary option is to withdraw
from the course. In extreme and unusual situations, you may wish to approach
your Instructor to discuss whether additional options are available.
Q. Can I take an Incomplete in the course?
A. The grade of Incomplete is assigned only when a student has completed
the majority of course assignments. In extreme and compelling cases, the
Instructor will assign an Incomplete when a student needs an extension
to finish the final course assignment. Incompletes are assigned at the discretion
of the Instructor on a case-by-case basis.
Q. What grade will I receive if I do not withdraw, and simply stop
submitting assignments?
A. You will receive a score of zero (0) for all non-submitted assignments.
That score, along with all completed assignments, will determine your final
course grade according to the course grading information (see Course Information
section in Blackboard).
Books for EDTEC 540
Q. What books are required for online EDTEC 540?
A. EDTEC 540 books for the online section are listed on the course page: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec540/syllabus/online.htm
Q. Where can I find the course books?
A. Consider purchasing from any online retailer. You can also purchase directly
from SDSU’s bookstore, Aztec Shops. Visit them at http://www.aztecshops.com/textbook.html
Q. When should I order my books?
A. As early as possible - after you have committed to taking EDTEC 540. Students living
outside of the United States are advised to order their books immediately
upon registration (even earlier if possible) since International shipping
can take considerable time.
Getting Started
Q. I just registered for the course through SDSU’s College
of Extended Studies. Now what?
A. Your Instructor will contact you with an introductory email on the first
day of the semester. If you’re unsure when the semester begins, access
the current academic calendar at http://www.sdsu.edu
In the meantime, please order your books and consider reading Mager’s Analyzing Performance Problems.
Q. The semester has already begun, but I just registered for course.
What should I do?
A. It can take from one-to-three business days for the College of Extended Studies
to process your registration. Once processed, the College of Extended Studies
will notify your Instructor of your addition to the class. The Instructor
will then contact you with an introductory email. You will not be able to
log into the course website until your registration is processed.
If two business days have elapsed since registering for the course and
you have not received an introductory email from your Instructor, please
contact the course assistant or Instructor for further action. You can find
email addresses for these individuals on the course information page (http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec540/syllabus/index.htm).
Course Operations
Q. Who should I contact with questions during the course?
A. EDTEC 540 is facilitated by an Instructor and a Teaching Assistant. Your
Instructor typically handles course content and assignment questions. The
Teaching Assistant can address course logistics questions, technical issues
and other non-content related questions. In some cases, your Teaching Assistant
may also assist with content issues as assigned by the Instructor. You will use the Student Q&A forum within your course website to post general questions for Instructor response.
Q. I just sent an email. When can I expect the Instructor or Teaching
Assistant to respond?
A. We strive to answer all inquiries within 24 hours (excluding weekends).
However, there may be times when that is not possible. Rest assured we will
make every attempt to be timely in our reply – even if it is to say
we need additional time to formally respond.
Q. I need to change my email address. What should I do?
A. The optimal answer to this question is simply to wait and change your
email at the end of the semester. Your Instructor and fellow students will
count on email for communication and tracking changing email addresses throughout
the semester is an unreasonable responsibility to place upon your coll
Q. The scheduled chat session takes place at a time I cannot attend.
What happens if I do not attend?
A. Important course content is covered during each online
meeting. Therefore, it is important to make these sessions a
priority. On the rare occasion when you cannot attend, please
review the chat archive following the scheduled session.
Q. When are assignments due?
A. Due dates for all assignments are clearly listed on the course schedule.