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

method 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. 

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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.

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