Online Course F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked Questions
- General Information
- Registration, Adding/Dropping and ’ÄúIncomplete’Äù 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. EDTEC 540 is an asynchronous course. Students can access course content,
assignments and other resources 24 hours each day. Weekly chat sessions
are available for interested students. Your instructor will communicate
through email each week to highlight relevant topics, assignments and deadlines.
Course content is presented through the Blackboard course delivery tool.
In addition, you will read two or three short texts that supplement online
content.
Q. What assignments must I complete? How will my grade be determined?
A. EDTEC 540 currently requires three individually-completed assignments:
- Conducting a performance analysis
- Writing instructional objectives and test items
- Creating an instructional plan and information support tool (job aid)
In addition to individual assignments, you will be required to complete two or three group assignments. These assignments require communication with team members via email; teams can also use the course chat tool if desired.
Finally, your postings to the course discussion board will figure into your final grade.
Q. Do I have to participate in chat sessions? Will participation
influence my grade?
A. We realize that finding chat times to accommodate every student’s
schedule is impossible. Time zones, work schedules and the responsibilities
of everyday life may preclude participation. Each semester we poll students
for chat time preferences and attempt to offer chats at optimal times. However,
we will not be able to accommodate every student’s time preference.
For this reason, chat sessions are an optional part of the course. Participation
in these sessions will not influence your final grade. We archive chat sessions
for students unable to participate synchronously.
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 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 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.
For more information about success in distance courses, visit http://defcon.sdsu.edu/1/objects/online/
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 you
possess the ability to create and post a simple webpage.
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 request 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 Blackboard Services at http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/index.html
Q. I’ve never used the Blackboard 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 Blackboard
basics. We will not be able to offer assistance for Blackboard tasks that
are described in the student user documentation (available at http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/index.html).
Q. I’m interested in the EDTEC Certificate or the EDTEC Masters
program. Do you have information available about that?
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 tenants 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 whatever your reason, you align with the course intent:
to be introduced to the field of Educational Technology. If that fails
to interest you, 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, look at things
their way. Have a mind that constantly questions, 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
– it really doesn’t matter the solution or the audience, our
goal is to create solutions that eliminate 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). In
addition, the first group assignment may have already begun, meaning your
group will have to expedite their work on this first assignment –
and you may have to wait a few days for additional late additions before
having a complete group with which to work. When appropriate, we may extend
the group assignment deadline.
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 if other 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 a small 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 currently requires the following two books:
Mager. R. & Pipe, P. (1985). Analyzing performance problems. Belmont, CA: Fearon/Pitman.
Mager, R. (1984). Preparing instructional objectives. Belmont, CA: Fearon/Pitman.
Rossett, A. & Schafer, L. (2007). Job Aids & Performance Support: Moving from Knowledge in the Classroom to Knowledge Everywhere . San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
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. SDSU’s online booklist says two Mager books and two Rossett
books are required for EDTEC 540. Do I need all of these books?
A. The books for the on campus version EDTEC 540 differ from the online
version. For the online course, purchase the books listed under the question,
“What books are required for online EDTEC 540?”
Q. When should I order my books?
A. As early as possible. You will need the Mager book early on. The Job Aids & Performance Support is required in the latter part of the course. 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 your 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/announcements/academic_calendar.html
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 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 Blackboard 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 (link).
Blackboard Login and Use
Q. What is Blackboard?
A. Blackboard is an easy-to-use online course delivery and management system.
Using Blackboard's graphical point-and-click interface, your instructors
can post syllabi, readings, and assignments, and well as communicate via
email, virtual chats or discussion boards. (http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/gettingstarted/whatisbb.html)
Q. When will I be able to access the course website on Blackboard?
A. You will be emailed a URL for the Blackboard website on the first day
of classes.
Q. I registered for the course and I’m itching to get started.
Can’t I get into the materials before the semester begins?
A. Unfortunately not. However, why not get a jump-start on Mager’s
Analyzing Performance Problems.
Q. What is my username for Blackboard?
A. For many students, this is your RED ID number. You should have created a RED ID number when you registered for the class. Go to https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/pls/webapp/web_menu.login for more information on RED IDs.
Q. What is my University PIN for Blackboard?
A. For most students, your University PIN is your birth date in the following
format: MMDDYY. After your first login, you'll be asked to change your password to comply with strict security standards.
Q. Can I change my University PIN number?
A. To change your PIN, visit http://www.sdsu.edu/e-services/esp_student_index.html
Q. My Username won’t let me into Blackboard. What should
I do?
A. If you have just registered for the course, it may take 24-48 hours for
the University systems to communicate amongst themselves and update so that
you have access. If 48 hours has elapsed since receiving the Introductory
email from your instructor and you are still unable to log into Blackboard,
please contact the course assistant or Instructor for further action.
Q. My email is listed incorrectly in Blackboard. How do I change
it?
A. Blackboard obtains student email addresses from the University’s
Admissions and Records database. To update your database information, visit
http://www.sdsu.edu/e-services/esp_student_index.html
Q. Blackboard lists my email as nobody@blackboard.edu. Why?
A. Blackboard obtains student email addresses from the University’s
Admissions and Records database. If the University does not have an email
address on file, Blackboard sets your listed address to nobody@blackboard.edu.
To receive email from your instructor and classmates, you must update your
database information at http://www.sdsu.edu/e-services/esp_student_index.html
Q. I sent an email through Blackboard. Where should I look to find
the response?
A. Blackboard’s email function is simply a relay service used to send
email. The person receiving the email will respond to whatever address you
have on file in Blackboard. The response will be sent, and can be retrieved,
wherever you normally receive email.
Q. I’m unable to access the chat applet in Blackboard?
A. If you’re otherwise able to use Blackboard, then the inability
to access the chat applet is likely due to a firewall. Consider contacting
the Blackboard student help desk for more information on resolving this
problem at http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/index.html
Q. You’ve asked me to create a homepage in Blackboard. How
do I do that?
A. Go to the Student Tools section of the course. Click on the Edit Homepage
icon and just fill in the preset fields. You can also upload a digital picture
in this area. Make sure you click the "Update Homepage" button
at the bottom of the page or your information will not be uploaded to the
course site. (http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/additionalhelp/faqs.html)
Q. I want to put something in Blackboard’s Digital DropBox
- how do I do this?
A. First, only deliver assignments to your Instructor via the Digital DropBox
when explicitly asked to do so. In many cases, assignments will be submitted
via email. Go to the Students Tools section of your course and click on
the Student Drop Box icon. Under the Send Files heading, click on the Browse
button to find your document on the hard drive or disc. Clicking on the
Open button in the dialog box will place your document in Blackboard. Click
on the Send File to Instructor button to complete the transaction. Do not
use the Add Files option, this will not send the files to the instructor.
(http://its.sdsu.edu/blackboard/student/additionalhelp/faqs.html)
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.
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 request to place upon your colleagues.
Q. I’m going to be away from home on business for a while.
What should I do?
A. The course is accessible from any Internet-enabled computer. Likewise,
continue to check your email. You may want to enlist the services of an
email relay service such as Yahoo which allows you to receive email from
any POP server into a Yahoo mail account. Make sure to set your return address
as your true email address, rather than your Yahoo account.
Q. The scheduled chat session take place at a time I cannot attend.
What happens if I do not attend?
A. Chat session participation does not influence your course grade. Please
review the chat archive following the scheduled session.
Q. When are assignments due?
A. Due dates for all assignments are listed on the Course Information page
of the Blackboard course site.
Q. Is there a print version of the course modules available?
A. No, not at this time. You may want to print the modules for future reference
throughout the semester. Opening the module text in a new window (right-click
on the module link) will remove the navigation bar from browser display,
making for a better print layout.
Q. Will I be able to access the online course materials (modules)
after the course ends?
A. Unfortunately, only students enrolled in the course for the current semester
can access to the Blackboard course website.