By the end of the semester, you will:
be familiar with the key theoretical issues related to online teaching and learning
understand the fundamental differences between face-to-face and online teaching, including the affordances and challenges of each context
be familiar with how to shape pedagogical approaches for online and technology-rich courses so that learning experiences are as rigorous as face-to-face courses
learn how to develop pedagogical strategies for building community in the online classroom and facilitating the social construction of knowledge among students
understand the primary concerns specific to writing and professional communication studies in online environments
gain practical experience in developing and facilitating an online learning activity and reflecting on its outcome
As students in a graduate-level seminar, your preparation for and participation in class discussions is required. I have set up this course to be exploratory and community-oriented, meaning I want and expect that you will think critically and creatively about the ideas you encounter and share them with your classmates. There are no right or wrong answers, only diverse perspectives. I also ask that you be generous and respectful in your interactions with others and that you participate actively in all discussions. During several weeks in the semester you will be required to respond to assigned readings and questions posed by myself or your classmates. This work will be assessed as part of your final course grade.
Your final grade in this course will be based on completion of the following assignments and activities. You will receive feedback and evaluation on all of the major assignments.
Option #1: Research/Reflective Paper (connected with Online Teaching Activity)
Option #2: Seminar Paper
Option #3: Syllabus for Online Course PLUS Justification Statement
I expect graduate students to attend all face-to-face class and synchronous online meetings (except in the case of an emergency, illness, or absence related to a conference presentation) and to notify me in advance if you will be unable to attend. Missing more than six class sessions may result in failure of the course.
A primary focus of this course is on development of a learning community and interaction among co-learners through discussion and other activities. Additionally, several of the major assignments require that you work with classmates to conduct research or facilitate classroom activities. As such, your active participation and collaboration with classmates is required. Such interaction has the benefit of sharing ideas and creating understanding that is not possible when working alone.
Although we will spend a good deal of time in class working with course management software and other applications, this is not, primarily, a how-to course on software. You should keep in mind that you may need to spend several hours per week (2-3 hours on average) outside of class time learning and using various applications and technologies. There is no shortcut to becoming adept at utilizing technology. The more initiative and effort you put into this, the more return you will see in the success of your projects and your understandings of the pedagogical, social and rhetorical implications of these technologies' usages.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cover issues relating to disability and accommodations. If a student has questions or needs an accommodation in the classroom (all medical information is treated confidentially), contact:
Trudy Luken
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) - Corbett Center, Rm. 244
Phone: 646.6840 E-mail: sas@nmsu.edu
Website: www.nmsu.edu/~ssd/NMSU policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation and protected veterans status. Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation.
For more information on discrimination issues, Title IX or NMSU's complaint process contact:
Gerard Nevarez or Agustin Diaz
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) - O'Loughlin House
Phone: 646.3635 E-mail: equity@nmsu.edu
Website: http://www.nmsu.edu/~eeo/
Plagiarism is using another person's work without acknowledgment, making it appear to be one's own. Intentional and unintentional instances of plagiarism are considered instances of academic misconduct and are subject to disciplinary action such as failure on the assignment, failure of the course or dismissal from the university. The NMSU Library has more information and help on how to avoid plagiarism at http://lib.nmsu.edu/plagiarism/
Dr. Jennifer Sheppard
Office: CBW Hall 207
Phone: 575-646-2341
Email: jasheppa@nmsu.edu
Mondays 2:00-4:00
(in CBW 207)
Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 (in Design Center)
and by appointment