Getting Started
Types of Distance Education Courses
WCU online courses utilize the Internet and online learning technologies to deliver course content, facilitate instructor-student/student-student communication, and create rich, interactive, and supportive online classrooms and communities.
The Curriculum and Academic Policies Council (CAPC) at WCU defines different types of DE courses based on the
| Face to Face | Web-enhanced | Blended | O-8 (Mostly Online) | (Fully) Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15% of instruction through digital means | Up to 30% of instruction through digital means | Up to 80% of instruction through digital means | Up to 99% of instruction through digital means | 100% of instruction through digital means |
The approved method of delivery indicates the highest allowable percentage of digital instruction; however, a course can be taught at a lower percentage. For example, a course approved as blended may be taught in face to face, web-enhanced, or blended formats, but not in O-8 or online formats. Thus, a course approved to be taught online can be taught in any of the five methods of delivery.
DESIGN - BUILD - TEACH
The Office of Digital Learning and Innovation seeks to develop a continuous relationship with faculty to support them in designing, building, and teaching courses. Click on the appropriate icon to take you to a specific section or simply scroll down to read through each section.
DESIGN
Our staff is here to help you with all parts of the design stage, from CAPC course approval to D2L course development. By incorporating established instructional design strategies and utilizing the most effective pedagogical principles, we can work together to meet the diverse learning styles of our students.
| Faculty will: | Digital Learning & Innovation will: |
|---|---|
| Complete the Online Faculty Development (OFD) program | Develop and facilitate OFD |
| Submit course for CAPC approval | Assign each faculty member an instructional designer |
BUILD
Consultation, training, and personalized support services are available throughout the year to support faculty teaching online and face-to-face courses.
| Faculty will: | Digital Learning & Innovation will: |
|---|---|
| Request development course shell be created by D2L Services (instructions on this are provided during OFD) | Meet one on one with faculty to consult on pedagogy, learning activities, course navigation and organization |
| Curate, collect, and share content for course via Word, Google Doc, or previous D2L course shell | Work with faculty to select and set-up D2L homepage and module page templates |
| Create video/audio-based lectures as needed | Set up special course data for faculty, as needed (i.e. customized quizzes, embedded content, etc.) |
| Develop basic D2L skills such as uploading documents, establishing a gradebook, and linking assignments and assessments | Assist and support multimedia lecture development |
| Suggest recommended technology tools that will aid with student engagement | |
| Provide direction in adhering to accessibility standards |
TEACH
In order to teach online at WCU, both faculty and course have to be approved by CAPC. We recommend starting your course development and preparing CAPC paperwork one year in advance of the actual delivery date of your online course.
| Faculty will: | Digital Learning & Innovation will: |
|---|---|
| Direct students to Navigating Digital Learning to ensure success with taking an online course | Test D2L course site functionality prior to course’s first launch |
| Direct students to technical support | Support students on special licensed tools (i.e. Examity, Poll Everywhere, etc.) |
| Trouble-shoot and provide assistance | |
| Monitor and notify faculty six-months prior to credential expiration. |
Continuity of Classes
In response to COVID-19, the Office of Digital Learning and Innovation created two digital hubs to assist faculty in the pivot to remote teaching modalities.