DL report – October 25, 2006DL report – October 25, 2006
There has been a lot of exciting things happening in DL since convocation.
1. Phase #1 of the Dl Initiative has been completed. Over 90% of our online courses are now in compliance with the new higher standards.
2. I have conducted Basic Distance Learning workshops and more advanced course makeovers with every department at CCC including the Nursing Department. Cindy Yount and her staff are excited and ready to move forward with incorporating some online components to their nursing courses.
3. Representatives from Apple Computer visited CCC in early September and conducted a 2 1/2 hour ITunes University / Instructional Podcasting workshop for over 20 of our faculty and staff representing a cross section of our programs. Apple is offering colleges Over 100 Gigs of free server storage space and distribution. We will be the 2nd Community College in NC to become an ITunes U college. I see this as an incredible marketing opportunity as well as an excellent supplement to Blackboard.
4. My work study student Cameron Lockey and I have completely redesigned the Distance learning web pages adding more visual continuity and better navigation to the pages in addition to adding an audio podcast overview of DL at CCC and a professional development request form. Check it out! CCC DL Web Page
5, We experienced a 3 day blackboard server crash this past month that in my opinion is absolutely unacceptable if we want to be serious about distance learning at CCC. I want to go on record that Ken Martin and John Green stepped up to the challenge and went above and beyond the call of duty in working non-stop trying to get the server and blackboard back-up, in addition to maintaining the integrity of the course data.
6. CCC online faculty now have access to a statewide database (repository) called SAS Pathways that enables us to access (and use / modify in online classes) a vast amount of course content / media in a variety of curriculum areas
7. I am now moving forward into Phase 2 of our Dl Initiative - My goal is to get every online faculty member to create an introductory audio Podcast that can be attached to the welcome announcement of their classes in addition to creating / designing a gateway to I Apple ITunes. I will be looking to IT to assist me with the technical challenges and authentication process. We received our ITunes U Service Agreement and now must work through the technical (IT) phase of this interface.
8. I am still hoping to be able to offer a 100% online program in college transfer by Fall 2006. I am bringing in a Math Instructor who teaches Math (Algebra) online from Cape Fear CC to give our Math instructors some professional development on teaching math online sometime before Christmas vacation.
We still have a long way to go with DL at CCC, but I feel good about the progress we have made over the past 6 months. I look forward to presenting a series of advanced Blackboard / Podcasting workshops to our faculty over the next six months in addition to getting staff more involved in our online initiatives.
We experienced a sad lost of one of our very special online faculty members. I want to create an award for excellence in online course development in Tom Harrigan’s name that will be presented to the faculty member who excels in online course development and teaching - I see this award being given each year at convocation.
Receiving the Title III Grant is going to contribute greatly to the success, upgrading and growth of every facet of our DL Program at CCC.
Submitted by
Patrick Keough
Director of Distance Learning