DOCUMENT by: Onlinehelp
Subject: Course Innovation Guidelines [for CDL faculty ONLY]
First-term CDL instructors are expected to “teach from the template”, but are welcome to communicate with their Area Coordinators (ACs) about what works and what doesn’t, and suggest improvements or recommend resources.
Beyond the first term of teaching, having gained comfort with the SLN course template and familiarity with the course material, instructors are encouraged to use the flexibility of the web by changing a discussion question or an assignment or individualizing a learning activity when appropriate. Here are some examples:
- changing the initial “ice-breaker” discussion question to encourage more immediate engagement with the subject matter
- providing an alternative assignment for a student who missed a substantive two-week discussion due to a family crisis, asking the student to summarize the discussion missed and connect the salient points with those of the readings
- using a ‘guest speaker’ activity in lieu of one discussion.
The general ‘rule of thumb’ is that no more the 20% of the course should be changed by an individual instructor without approval from the AC. Substantive changes that need instructional design support constitute a revision and need AC approval. Ongoing course review by the AC will culminate in a major revision of the course at least every three years.
Changes should be made thoughtfully by the instructor and should ensure that the following remain true as a result:
- all course goals and objectives are met
- learning activites that are designed to specifically measure whether or not students are meeting objectives are not altered
- course content still reflects the official Empire State College course description
- course evaluation/generic remains accurate
