Course Syllabus

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Distance Education Course Syllabus

Summer, 2024

General Information

Syllabus can be downloaded by clicking here

Department of Online Learning

Course Title: Distance Education Certification CourseLevel: AdvancedPrerequisite/Co-requisite: A love for knowledge and learning!Certification: Certificate of CompletionCourse Format: OnlineLocation: OnlineInstructors Name:  Jeremiah Grabowski, Humberto Hernandez, Julianna Woite and Marcia BohnInstructors Emails:  grabowsj@dyc.edu, hernandh@dyc.edu, woitej@dyc.edu and bohnm@dyc.eduSynchronous Session:  To be determined by course members

D’YOUVILLE LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENTLinks to an external site.

I would like to begin this course by acknowledging that we are on the land of Indigenous people. Traditionally, these lands were home to many nations, including the Neutral, Erie, Wenro, Huron and other peoples. Today, these lands are still regarded as being the traditional homelands of the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee peoples. We respect the treaty rights of the Six Nations - the Seneca, Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Tuscarora - and the obligation of the United States and New York governments and American society to adhere to them.

We honor the legacy of the many ancestors and elders who made this land their home and infused it with their spirit for thousands of years. We also honor the Original Peoples who remain on the ancestral homelands of Turtle Island and who have survived centuries of colonialism, genocide, and land theft. Finally, we honor those who are not here, but who might have been, were it not for this history of violence.

With hearts and minds focused on healing and truth, we remember the powerful example of democracy and federalism set by the Haudenosaunee, embodied in the Great Law of Peace. Through this inspiration, we commit ourselves to advocate for inclusion and restitution for past atrocities. May we all aspire to a world of reconciliation, guided by the example of the Haudenosaunee themselves, so that our weapons of war are buried forever and mutual respect and equality prevail among all peoples and nations.

Addendum (inspired by Rahwa Ghirmatzion at PUSH Buffalo, composed in this form by Renee Cadzow, D’Youville University)

Not only are we on stolen land, this country was also built by stolen and exploited labor. People forcefully taken from their homelands were brought here and enslaved. This 400+ year history of colonization and white supremacy not only mar the past but are carried into the present in the form of health and healthcare disparities, economic inequality, disproportionate deaths by police, incarceration rates, and most recently, the horrendous atrocity that took the lives of 10 of our beloved community members.  May we be collectively focused on mitigating and preventing trauma and creating a more just, equitable, diverse and inclusive tomorrow.

Course Description

The Distance Education Certificate Course is a comprehensive 4-week course designed to provide educators with the skills to optimize online learning environments. Participants will delve into the Taxonomy of Significant Learning, design effective and accessible online assessments, and learn to facilitate Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) and utilizing the QM Rubric to ensure course quality. The course culminates in the development and evaluation of impactful learning activities. This program equips educators with the knowledge to create enriching and engaging e-learning experiences for all students

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Select at least two (2) significant learning types to apply to your current or future courses.
  2. Evaluate critical course elements and relate them to lifelong education practices to the practical applications of the content.

Rationale

The Distance Education Certificate Course offers educators a comprehensive and structured pathway to enhance their expertise in distance education.  By exploring the Taxonomy of Significant Learning and the Quality Matters (QM) Rubric, participants can elevate their online course design to be more effective, accessible, and engaging. The curriculum focuses on critical components such as regular and substantive interaction, and impactful learning activities, thereby empowering educators to create high-quality experiences that cater to the diverse needs of all students.

Required Texts

  • No required text

Assessment of Participants

    1. Taxonomy of Significant Learning   -   S/U
    2. Course Design Assignment   -  S/U     
    3. Practice Developing Assessments   -   S/U     
    4. Create an Accessibility Friendly Document   -   S/U     
    5. Course Communication & Interaction Plan -Video Discussion Board   -   S/U
    6. RSI Resources in Action Assignment  -   S/U     
    7. Quality Matters Forum   -   S/U

     

*Most assignments post automatically to the Canvas Calendar – however not all of them do. Because of this, the Weekly Overview’s are supplemental and will explain in more detail what is due for the week.

Late Assignments

  • NO work will be accepted 1 week after assigned.
  • ALL assignments should be submitted via Canvas. Please give yourself some lead-time when submitting assignments.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the deadlines for course assignments. When deadlines are not met, grade penalties and delays in grading may result
  • ALL work is due at 11:59 PM, EST on the date it is scheduled.
  • Late submissions are accepted up to 7 days after the due date at a 20% reduction in points.
  • A “0” will be automatically submitted for anything not submitted on time and will become permanent on day 8. Due to the necessity of submitting final grades immediately after the course ends, the 7-day late submission policy does not apply the last 2 weeks of class. No late assignments will be accepted in those last 2 weeks.
  • Extensions are granted because of catastrophic emergencies for those who reach out prior to the scheduled due date of an assignment.

Response Time and Feedback on Assignments

Feedback on assignments is typically within 48 hours for all submissions, although with larger class sizes there may be additional time required. Students can expect the following response times:

  • Discussions will be graded within 72 hours using both a comment and rubric.
  • Calls and emails will receive a response within 24 - 48 hours, except on major holidays which I will respond within 72 hours
  • Grades and feedback on assignments and tests will be provided no more than 5 days after submission.

Plagiarism

Students are expected to comply with the D'Youville plagiarism policy. Any student who submits an assignment that meets the criteria for plagiarism will receive a grade of zero/no credit for that assignment. Plagiarism includes papers copied directly from another source; papers which take material in part or in whole from other sources without sufficient documentation. Faculty may use computer-based software to review papers for plagiarism. Students will not be permitted to rewrite any written assignment once it has been submitted and graded. Students are encouraged to seek guidance from the faculty teaching the course when working on an assignment. In addition, the Writing Tutor and the Learning Center can help students with writing, grammatical concerns and APA format. Students who are referred by faculty to a writing tutor may be asked to bring proof of attendance before future assignments are accepted for grading.

Attendance

Your success in this class is dependent upon your active participation in the virtual classroom. Each week begins on Monday at 12:01 am, EST and ends on Sunday at 11:59 pm, EST. During that time, you should log into the class frequently to complete your assigned readings, activities, and post to discussion boards. Unless appropriate drop/add or withdrawal forms have been processed, a grade of “F” for the course is noted if students just stop attending classes.  Financial obligations will remain as well.  Merely informing the instructor of the intention to withdraw does not constitute official withdrawal.

Canvas Learner Requirements and Proficiencies

You are required to be able to navigate the course by clicking links on the site.

Students may need to be able to write assignments, copy and paste, create documents using Microsoft Office and be able to upload to Turnitin.com, email attachments and the ability to upload to the LMS. If you are not able to do so, please contact me before an assignment is due.

Students must be able to work as instructed to ensure you are properly prepared.  You should have self-discipline, problem solving skills, critical thinking skills and enjoy communicating in the written world.

 

Canvas Course Tools/Areas Overview

Navigation Link

Description

You Should…

Syllabus

This is a digital version of your syllabus for the course. 

Check this to refer back to the way the course is designed

Announcements

This area is used to post day-to-day course details such as the status of or directions for assignments and discussions.

Check the announcements on a regular basis, at least several times each week.

Modules

This area contains course content, including lectures, readings, resources, and assignments. This area may also contain a checklist summary of assignments for the module.

Check this area at the start of each module and throughout the module week to review course materials.

Discussions

This is one of the primary areas for discussion and collaboration in the class.

Participate and contribute on a regular basis. Refer to the Attendance Policy section for information.

Grades

Assignment grades are located in this area.

Check this area to find out your grades for your course assignments.

Assignments

This is where all your assignments will be listed for the class.

Check this area at the start of each module and refer back to it throughout the week.

Quizzes

This is where all of your quizzes/tests will be for the class.

Check this area on a regular basis.

Panopto Recordings

Panopto is utilized to disseminate recorded video and podcast content.  Additional features include captioning for the hearing impaired, the ability to toggle the main recorded video with footage from the instructor's screen, as well as content flagging for later review.

Check out this link to access all of your instructor's available audio and video content.

Role of Netiquette

The following outlines some key strategies for effective netiquette:

  • Use standard grammar and spelling and avoid “text speak” such as “lol” or “idk.”
  • Be professional. Respectfully address the person you are speaking to, and avoid rude language, a confrontational tone, and all caps, which is the online equivalent to shouting.
  • Write concisely. Develop your point with details and examples, but do not ramble or use unnecessary words. Your readers should be able to understand your point quickly.
  • Do not dominate discussion. Allow others to speak and read their input carefully before responding.
  • Provide a link or reference for your sources so your readers know where you are getting your information.
  • Use fonts that are easy to read (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri).
  • Format your writing in a consistent, clear, and readable manner. Avoid large blocks of text by using paragraphs and consistent spacing and making your writing welcoming for readers.
  • Proofread. Carefully review what you have written and correct any errors or unclear wording. Small mistakes are unprofessional and potentially confusing.
  • Think twice before sending or posting. Most messages cannot be retracted, and even editing a discussion board post will show a record of your changes, so do not commit to anything that you will regret later.
  • Reply to others promptly.

Technical Requirements for Courses May Include 

  • Laptop or Desktop with a modern web browser HTML5 capabilities
    • Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, and/or Safari
  • A webcam (your phone can be used as a webcam if you do not have one). Please contact Onlinelearning@dyc.edu for more info. 
  • Microphone (your phone can also be used as a microphone)
  • Internet connection (or ask for our portable MiFis for students by contacting IT at techsupport@dyc.edu). 
  • Computer Plugins
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Video Players
    • Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player
  • Software
    • Microsoft Office. (No worries if you do not have it. Your My D'Youville package comes with it!) Please contact IT (techsupport@dyc.edu) for more information.  
    • DYU Credentials (E-mail, My D'Youville, and LMS)

Technical Support

Support is offered in the following locations:

Sharing of LMS Content Resources

Sharing content from the LMS classroom is strictly prohibited. All instructor and classmate postings are considered private and should not be shared. The content is to be only used to meet the learning objectives of the course by enrolled students.

At D'Youville one of our most important core values is making sure that you succeed. As a student at D’Youville, you’ll be challenged every day, but you’ll also know that we have your back, no matter what you need to succeed. If you need extra help, our Learning Center is available to help you with tutoring, workshops, and one-on-one support.  Students for whom English is a second language are also urged to utilize the resources of the Office of Accessibility Recourses.  

Students with Special Needs: Students who believe they may be eligible for Special Testing Conditions, such as extended time and/or a distraction reduced environment, must contact the Office of Accessibility Resources to determine whether they qualify. Students with disabilities need to contact the Coordinator of the Office of Accessibility Resources and provide documentation of their disability(ies) from a qualified professional.  Based on that information and the course requirements, Accessibility Resources will determine if special testing conditions are warranted. Students who are determined to be eligible for special testing conditions will be provided with an accommodation form detailing the special conditions. Students must provide the faculty with appropriate documentation from the learning center.  Visit this link to learn more about Accessibility Resources.Links to an external site.

D’Youville Library

The Montante Family Library at D'Youville is the ideal research destination for students, faculty, and staff searching for access to research tools, materials, and professional instruction.  Visit this link to learn more about the Library

Sexual Misconduct & Harassment

D’Youville College prohibits its employees (faculty, administrative, support staff and maintenance), and undergraduate and graduate students from engaging in any form of sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and sexual assault/violence. This policy provides information regarding the college’s prevention and education efforts related to sexual harassment and sexual assault/violence (collectively referred to in this policy as “sexual misconduct”). Should the college become aware of sexual misconduct impacting its employees, undergraduate students or graduate students, the college is committed to promptly and effectively addressing the situation.

In furtherance of that commitment, this policy explains how the college will proceed once it is made aware of possible sexual misconduct in keeping with our institutional values and to meet our legal obligations under Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, and other applicable law. In all instances in which sexual misconduct is found to have occurred, the college will take appropriate steps to end such conduct, prevent its recurrence and redress its effects.  See this link for additional information.

Privacy Policies & Accessibility Statements

The following are links to Privacy Policies and Accessibility Statements for the technologies used in this course:

Course Summary:

Date Details Due