Best practice

From eLITwiki

This area of the site is intended to 'capture' the aspects of best practice we all use. This page may later move into the distance learning handbook.

Note: This is work in progress, MSB 16/03/2007

Contents 1 Guiding principles for development 1.1 How to make best use of Word as the basis for DL materials 1.2 How to make best use of PowerPoint as the basis for DL materials 1.3 How to make best use of Blackboard to deliver DL materials 1.3.1 General points 1.4 Recommended minimum standards for a Blackboard site 1.4.1 Introductions 1.4.2 Materials 1.4.3 Formative assessments 1.4.4 Contact Information 1.5 Signposting essentials 1.6 Development essentials 1.7 How to reference copyright materials

[edit] Guiding principles for development

1. No surprises - all materials should be appropriately signposted throughout, the user of the materials should always know what is going to happen next;
2. Coherence - The module/programme has a structured 'whole'
3. Consistency - everything has a uniform look and feel (within the specific module/programme)
4. Usability - everything appears simple to the user

[edit] How to make best use of Word as the basis for DL materials

• Use the standard template
• Use headings appropriately
• Don't worry about font or typesize
• How to better organise materials prior to content development;

[edit] How to make best use of PowerPoint as the basis for DL materials

• Always use a template
• Always have a heading on a slide (to build an index)
• How to better organise materials prior to content development;

[edit] How to make best use of Blackboard to deliver DL materials

[edit] General points

• All external links need to open in a new window (and be signposted). You must make sure that the full source of the external link is obvious. Do this either by providing that information as an introduction to a link or by using the top-level of the site - its home page - and provide instructions on how to drill down.
• Remove tools not in use. This is straightforward. Go to the control panel and select "Manage tools" then "Tool availability". Uncheck any tools you do not intend to use (in most cases this is likely to be the majority.
• Remove buttons not in use - in the control panel go to "Manage Course Menu" and then either remove or make unavailable (via modify) those buttons you do not want.
• Rename buttons appropriately - as above, go to modify and you can rename the button.
• Decide upon which communication tools you intend to use and make the others unavailable. Go to "Manage Course Menu" and select "modify" for the communication button. This takes you to a place where you can switch off communication tools you don't want to use.
• Bb guidance (how to do ...) should be available on all modules

[edit] Recommended minimum standards for a Blackboard site

Currently the eLP Strategic Management Group is considering this issue. In the meantime it is worth looking at what other institutions are doing. This link Modes of Engagement takes you to Oxford Brookes web site where they identify different levels or modes. Mode 1 is baseline course administration and learner support and would possibly equate to "minimum standards". Mode 2 is the next step up, identifying four areas for engagement - communication,collaboration, assessment and learning content. This is where many of our current course are.

[edit] Introductions

For all learners, whether distance or campus-based, there is a need to provide an introduction to online learning.

[edit] Materials

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[edit] Formative assessments

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[edit] Contact Information

• Who you are - try to provide a short pen portrait which is relevant to the module or programme, for example:
• How you can be contacted - either provide your direct office line or the number of the administration office dealing with the programme. You should also provide an e-mail address and your office location.
• When you are available - indicate times when you can be contacted directly (and make it clear when you are not available, for example when you are on leave, absent doing RSA or away on business). For example, you might write that you can be telephoned directly between 13.00 and 14.00 on Mondays.
• Turnaround time - if students are encouraged to use e-mail as the principal means of contact you should give an indication of how quickly they can expect a response.

[edit] Signposting essentials

• when you don't have sound...
• Stock phrase for new window opening...
• How to save... how to print...
• Generic statement for use of dicsussion boards

[edit] Development essentials

1. Label beta materials
2. Follow checklists
3. Always test all materials on a monitor set to 1024x768
4. Image sizes

[edit] How to reference copyright materials

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--Last updated by Malcolm Bell 15.35, 3 May 2007 (BST)