Bishop State Community College Web Course Enhancement Training

Your Instructors:

Ms. Jeannine Griffin and Dr. John H. Strange
Next week we will be discussing how to enhance your web based courses.

The training session will be divided into five parts.

First we will look at how to make use of the existing tools available in e-college. Use your syllabus to your best advantage. Involve your students through the use of email and threaded discuassions. Supply CDs, DVDs, text books and other materials where appropriate. Make sure your calendars are correct and up to date. Create interesting lectures and support materials. Design your examinations to test for the intended outcomes.

Next we will look at three ways to enhance the Ecollege courses that you are already developing.

PICTURES (and Blogging)
The first area we will consider is the use of pictures. If you are not familiar with the basics, we will cover them too. For instance, we will discuss how to scan pictures. We will also show you some tricks on finding pictures on the internet. And then there are hundreds and thousands of pictures on CDs. Make use of them where available and appropriate. Distribute your pictures through email, on a blog (OK, maybe that should be a separate section. But you will make youir own blog and you can decide whether it is a tool that ought to be listed separately. In any event, it is a good way to make pictures available to your students.) You can also put your pictures in PDF files so students can print them. Or add them to podcasts which will be covered separately. Think PICTURES. They can say a lot!

AUDIO, SOUNDS (and Podcasting)
You can also add sounds to your blogs or Podcasts. Use audio to explain difficult issues. Instead of written lectures, provide your students with audio files they can play on their computer or on their MP3 devices such as Apple's iPod. Audio becomes a way to break time and place barriers. In addition we know thet our current students mutch prefer to watch and listen than they like to read! So think AUDIO! We will show you how. In fact, listen to Dr. Strange's comments about this training session NOW! Just scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Play This Audio Post.

In addition, you can hear a different versionof the audio (the first step in Podcasting which will be explained in detail at the workshop) here:
http://www.johnstrange.com/BSCCpodcasts/BSCCoverview.mp3

PODCASTING
Podcasting is:
a) establishing a way to download an mp3 (other types of files are also possible) audio file so that it can be listened to
AND
b) establishing what is known as an RSS feed so that new additions to the library of mp3 audio files will automatically be downloaded to a person's computer when he or she establishes a connection to the internet and has "subscribed" to the RSS feed.

This makes it possible to have weekly lectures available for students to download.

Moreover, these lectures can automatically (using iTunes or other software) be placed on a student's mp3 player (such as an iPod) and can be listened to without regard to time or place.

AND, some pictures can be included with the audio and viewed on some mp3 devices (such as the Photo iPod) or in iTunes when connected to the internet long enough for the material to be downloaded.

VIDEO
Yes, you can send video clips to your students as well. Email works, and so does videocasting (Podcating with motion pictures). We will experiment with video. You won't be an expert, but you will know what possibilities currently exist and what you can expect in the VERY near future.

The FUTURE
Well, at least the short term future. The final section of our training will look at what help you can expect from us as you enhance your courses. So get ready for the FUTURE. We will be there to help.

Your instructors will be

Dr. John H. Strange
Professor
University of South Alabama

Ms. Jeannine Griffin
Educator and MultiMedia Specialist