Best Practice in Online Teaching and Learning

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations.

The EDEM628 course is assessed according to the 5 generic assessment dimensions.  These are:

1. Depth and breadth of knowledge base and literature
2. Engagement in theoretical critique and debate
3. Engagement in reflective praxis
4. Active involvement in research
5. A high level of communication skills and overall coherence

The dimensions which apply to each assignment will be notified by the course lecturer with the details of the assignment topic. These five dimensions do not apply equally to every assignment. The rubrics posted online in UCLearn show the relative application of each dimension. Please note that citations and references are required in APA format.

There are three assignments plus a requirement to participate weekly activities including in online discussions throughout the semester

1. A review of the literature on a self-selected topic related to learning and teaching online:
• Develop and present an annotated bibliography of at least 5 research articles
• Summarise and analyse one of these research articles
• Present this to the course members and facilitate an online discussion related to the research topic.  (20%)

2. Pilot Study One
• Conduct an audit of ICT in their school/ institution/ organisation readiness for online learning.
• Design of an effective online teaching space, then design and facilitate a unit of learning with a group of learners over a period of two-three weeks.
• Critically appraise the effectiveness of the teaching site (e.g. design and navigation features, evaluation of course facilitation, course content and participant learning), including recommendations for future developments and an identified focus for Pilot Study Two. (30%)

3. Pilot Study Two
• Redesign the online teaching space, then design and facilitate a unit of learning with a group of learners over a period of four weeks.
• Critically appraise the effectiveness of one selected aspect of the course (e.g. teaching site/ course content/ facilitation) by conducting a professional self study that includes recommendations for future developments.
• Maintain a researchers blog documenting and reflecting on the professional journey
• Include links back to current literature/ research from the field throughout this assignment.
 (50%)
Presentation of assignments to adhere to the APA referencing format.

The final grade will depend on factors such as the actual number of credits gained, evidence of particular insight or flair, and the surmounting of particular difficulties. All assessed items must be passed.

Grading Scale

Grade    GPA      Marks

A+       9      90 – 100
A         8      85 – 89
A-        7      80 – 84
B+       6      75 – 79
B         5      70 – 74
B-        4      65 – 69
C+       3      60 – 64
C         2      55 – 59
C-        1      50 – 54
D         0      40 – 49
E        -1       0 – 39

As this course is online and the work in the course done asynchronously, the attendance requirements are met by regular participation.  Participation in discussions and group activities is expected.
Distance students must participate in the course via Learn to meet the learning outcomes. Participation will enhance your understanding of issues and allow for discussion and clarification of complex issues. Online activity will ensure all students can discuss, debate and reflect.

Students may be given the opportunity to formally evaluate the course via the University course evaluation system. Students will also be encouraged to provide informal feedback during the course.

Work that is turned in after the due date is considered late unless an extension has been negotiated with the lecturer before the work is due.  The lecturer reserves the right not to mark late work.

Students are encouraged and supported to apply their learning to their professional context(s). Course participants are encouraged to negotiate access to a group of learners to practice their own online teaching for two to three weeks around the beginning of June, including approval from relevant managers. Further course development and teaching is required for a longer period in semester 2 (teaching centring on September). This may include work to improve an existing online course. Alternative arrangements may be negotiated with support from the tutor, including group work.

Students will be required to be gain experience as a participant researcher under the guidance of the tutor(s).

Before the course starts:
Students update their ICT skills and office software before the course starts, including use of the Help resources in the home page of UCLearn. Reading and making study notes from the following book before the course starts is also strongly recommended: Lynch, M.M. (2004). Learning online: a guide to success in the virtual classroom. London: Routledge.

All work submitted in this course should be completed using APA formatting where appropriate

Requests for extensions should go in the first instance in writing to the lecturer responsible for that activity. Generally it is possible to have an extension of up to 2 weeks following the published date.
After that date an application is required to be submitted to the MEd coordinator for approval on the ‘request for approval form.’

One resubmit is allowed for each assignment; however no grade higher than a C will be awarded to resubmitted work.  Work that is to be resubmitted will be due one week after being returned to the student unless other arrangements are requested and granted by the lecturer.

Students will be expected to submit their assessments via the online assessment system in the Learn class site by 5.00pm on or before the due date. The lecturer may also ask students to submit assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism. If this option is available students will submit work through Turnitin and obtain a report, after submitting assignments for marking via the Learn site.

It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated. (Students who do not have broadband internet access, or who have unreliable access are advised to attend to this early in the course to prevent last minute pressures.) If you require assistance, please email ictservicedesk@canterbury.ac.nz, or phone 0800 763 676 ext 6060.