TWU ID
The Office of Lifelong Learning is pleased to announce a new resource page for teaching and learning online, available at http://twuid.pbwiki.com/ This new resource page contains information about the following topics:
- General Information on Distance Education
- Promising Practices
- Teaching and Learning using Blackboard
- Quality Matters
- Taskstream
- Information from past presentations
- Your suggestions and feedback
This resource will be continually updated so check for new information as your schedule allows. This resource is searchable and tags have been used to help you find the materials you need. We invite comments and suggestions on materials that you would like to see on the site.
More about “TWU ID”...TWU Syllabi
TWU requires a syllabus for all TWU courses (TWU Faculty Handbook/ Faculty-Student Relationship/ Minimum Requirements for Course Syllabus). There are other benefits to creating effective and detailed syllabi for your courses. The Syllabus is a form of contract, since it is written, it allows you to detail course expectations and requirements in a form that can be used as evidence of the requirements for the course. It is also a one stop reference for students for assignments, readings, activities, and course schedules for the semester. TWU provides an optional template for faculty use.
More about “TWU Syllabi”...TWU Adjunct Orientation
The orientation is divided into three main sections: information for all adjuncts; teaching face to face; teaching at a distance. The project is the result of collaboration among a broad group of faculty and staff. The project is created in the format of a wiki, which allows users to provide ongoing suggestions for additional materials. It is expect this will be a living, breathing document through which the adjunct faculty community can add and share best practices and ideas with each other. Whether you are new to TWU or a veteran, please take a few moments to review the site and join the discussion about how the university can best support your teaching.
More about “TWU Adjunct Orientation”...
Zipped Files
Zipped files is our way of referring to prepackaged Blackboard course content. Currently, there are 3 content pieces available. Those content items include a syllabus file, a help file and a resource file. The goal of these materials is to consolidate information for faculty and provide an easily modified template of content DE believes will be beneficial to online students.
More about “Zipped Files”...Mini-Courses
The Office of Lifelong Learning created five mini-courses about distance education topics.
(Mini-1) Managing & Maintaining the Discussion Board for Distance Courses
(Mini-2) Managing your Distance Course
(Mini-3) Establishing Tone in your Distance Course
(Mini-4) Video in the Distance Course
(Mini-5) Visual Design for Distance Education Content
All distance educators can access these courses by going to Organizations and browsing the Organization Catalog. You can locate these courses by name or by ID (in parentheses above). After you locate the course of interest, you can self-enroll in the course. There are no assignments and you can come and go in the course at will (once enrolled).
To Enroll: Go to Blackboard/ Login/ Click the Organizations tab/ Browse the Organization Catalog (use “Name” “Contains” “Mini” as your search term)/ Click on GO/Pick your course and Enroll.
More about “Mini-Courses”...TaskStream
Based on the recommendations of the Information Technology Committee, TWU has select to adopt TaskStream for all eportfolio projects.
TaskStream is a flexible, customizable and comprehensive electronic portfolio, assessment management and standards-based instruction solution. The power of TaskStream’s system resides in its ability to provide a single toolset that can be readily adapted to address the needs of groups and departments within an organization or across multiple organizations.
TaskStream is a web based software program. If an instructor/program chooses to use eportfolios, students will purchase a license, in the same way they might purchase a required textbook. With students' purchase, comes free access for the faculty member overseeing the eportfolio project.
More about “TaskStream”...Principles of Good Practice
Institutions seeking approval for distance learning initiatives must demonstrate that all courses adhere to the Principles of Good Practice (PGP). The Principles were developed by the Western Cooperative for Education Technology (WCET). They have been adopted by all six regional accreditation associations and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
More about “Principles of Good Practice”...The Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C)
The Office of Lifelong Learning has purchased a premium membership with the Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C). This organization seeks to assist universities in continually improving the quality, scale and breadth of their online programs. Sloan-C sponsors a number of distance learning journals, publications, workshops, and symposia as well as hosting an annual conference. All TWU faculty and staff can now receive the Sloan-C premium member discounts to any of the Sloan-C sponsored activities and access to Sloan-C’s premium website (http://epremium.sloan-c.org/). In order to participate, however, you will need to create an individual account under TWU’s premium membership.
More about “The Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C)”...WCET
Texas Woman’s University has become a member of WCET (Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications). As members, we have access to their online community!
“The WCET Online Community is an online gathering place where WCET members can discuss issues, share experiences, and get up-to-the-minute information on the latest developments and opportunities in educational telecommunications. WCET currently sends much of its information to members via the online community.”
If you are interested in joining this community, please send your name and email address to Sherri Artz Gilbert at WCET and she will create an account for you.
More about “WCET”...page last updated 11/20/2009 10:14