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Designing Engaging Distributed Learning Courses

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  1. What are Distributed Learning Courses
  2. Student Engagement and Interaction
  3. Examples of Learning Outcomes / Tools
  4. Resources

What are Distributed Learning Courses?

Distributed courses, use the distributed education model, where students from multiple locations are connected through one instructor.  From EKU’s Richmond Campus and EKU’s Regional Campuses in Corbin, Hazard, and Manchester, E-Presences courses are an example of this.  E-Presences courses are connected via Zoom and Blackboard LMS to allow interaction between all students and the course instructor.
Distributed education, also known as distance learning, started at Eastern Kentucky University with the advent of television and radio.  Lectures and educational programs were broadcast to students at multiple locations.  In the modern era, distributed education was revitalized allowing courses to be taken online and virtual.  Technology such as video conferencing (Zoom), and LMS (Canvas), enable students to access high-quality education from anywhere.  
When teaching a distributed class, faculty should plan to conduct hybrid friendly classes that engage students with synchronous in-person and online learning components. Instructors utilize technology to engage students in deep, meaningful ways across sites.  Following these strategies can create an inclusive and engaging learning experience for all students regardless of location.
 
Syllabus Planning
  1. Clearly state the hybrid nature of the course and outline your expectations for all students in-person and across sites.  This should be distributed before the course begins to all students.
  2. Provide dates and times for students to meet with you synchronously via Microsoft Teams or Zoom for office hours or individual meeting times.  Microsoft Bookings can be used to schedule.
  3. Clarify technology requirements for students, including Internet access, specific software, and guidelines for all.
  4. Outline the process of accessing course material, submitting assignments, and participation for in-person and distanced sections.
Classroom Setup
  1. Familiarize yourself with the classroom and equipment by visiting it early.  Request early access to your room to prepare.  A full list of E-Presence rooms on campus can be found here.
  2. E-Presence rooms are equipped with a control box on the wall featuring a “help” button to request IT assistance.
  3. Review the ‘Starting An E-Presence Classroom’ page for how to get started.
  4. Practice delivery of course content inside the classroom prior to your class start time to ensure familiarity with technology.  Request a Faculty Consultation for input.
Technology Considerations
  1. E-Presence classes use Zoom to connect our campuses.  Keep up to date with the latest Zoom features to stay on the cutting edge.
  2. Spend time familiarizing both yourself and your students with the hybrid format in the first weeks of your class.  Utilize the TILT (Transparency in Learning and Teaching) approach to discuss engagement expectations with your students. The TILT approach helps students understand the how and the why. Both are critical to engaging all students in active learning.
  3. Incorporate additional collaboration tools that enhance engagement across sites, such as online whiteboard, polling software, Harmonize, or interactive presentation tools.
  4. Visit our Teaching & Learning Innovation series and 30-Minute Tech Tools series for ideas.
  5. Provide clear instructions for accessing class resources, and include lecture slides, recordings, and feedback for students through Canvas.
Assessment and Feedback
  1. Design assessments that accommodate both in-person and distanced students.  Consider alternative formats like online quizzes, written assignments or group projects to give opportunities for students to assess their involvement in the course.
  2. Ensure fairness and consistency in grading by establishing clear rubrics and evaluation criteria, regardless of the participation model.

Student Engagement and Interaction

  1. Implement active learning strategies for both in-person and distanced students. Know the limitations of group discussions being restricted to each campus, and plan accordingly.
  2. Consider utilizing discussion boards through Canvas to facilitate asynchronous discussions among students.  Use tools such as Harmonize to create an engaging and interactive experience.
  3. Establish clear guidelines for participation, and netiquette, and expected response times to questions and feedback.
  4. Familiarize yourself with the needs and expectations of each site. Use this to intentionally engage ALL of your students at each site directly.
  5. Give attention to your students to ensure they feel included in the classroom regardless of location.  Give them opportunities to speak in front of the class and share work through the video conferencing platform so all can hear and see.
Foster Communication and Interaction

Communication is vital in an online course. Encourage students to actively participate by creating inclusive discussions through Canvas and Zoom. Engage students in real-time discussions, ask them direct questions, and give them opportunities to share their thoughts. Additionally, provide clear guidelines for participation, netiquette, and expected response times. By establishing an inclusive and respectful environment, you encourage students to actively engage with the course material and their peers. Tools you can use:

  • Discussion Boards
  • Video Discussion Boards
  • Kahoot - Game based learning platform
  • Google Drive/OneDrive for collaborative projects.
Utilize Multimedia and Interactive Content
Make your course visually appealing and interactive. Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, audio clips, and interactive presentations. These resources can help break up the monotony of reading and provide different learning modalities for students. Additionally, use interactive tools like online quizzes, virtual simulations, or interactive whiteboards to encourage active learning and participation. Such interactive content not only reinforces understanding but also increases student engagement and motivation. Tools you can use:
  • Canva - Easy graphic/video editor
  • Miro/Padlet/Jamboard - Virtual Whiteboards
  • Mentimeter - Polling
Provide Timely Feedback and Support
Regular and timely feedback is essential for student motivation and progress. Establish a consistent feedback mechanism, whether through written comments, recorded audio/video feedback, or virtual office hours. Promptly address student questions and concerns, and provide guidance to help them succeed. Additionally, offer opportunities for one-on-one or small group interactions to address individual needs and provide personalized support. By actively supporting students throughout the course, you create a sense of belonging and increase their engagement and success.  Encourage students to interact from site to site.  Utilize group activities and promote sharing ideas and feedback from students.
 

Examples of Projects/Learning Outcomes





Learning Outcomes/Expectations

Instructional Techniques

Tools

Options

Students will effectively collaborate in virtual teams to solve complex problems

1. Virtual group projects with assigned roles and responsibilities. 

2. Scheduled online team meetings with clear agendas.

1. Video conferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams).

 2. Collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365).

Assigning students to diverse teams to foster cross-cultural collaboration.

Students will actively participate in online discussions and debates

1. Facilitated online discussions with guiding questions. 

2. Structured debate sessions with assigned positions.

1. Discussion boards on Blackboard

2. Video conferencing platforms with breakout rooms.

Implementing a peer-moderation system to encourage balanced participation.

Students will demonstrate self-discipline and time management skills in their studies

1. Weekly task lists and milestone tracking. 

2. Time management workshops and self-assessment exercises.

1. Task management tools (e.g., Trello, Asana). 

2. Online calendars and planners.

Offering flexible assignment deadlines to accommodate different learning paces.

Students will effectively use online research resources and critically evaluate information

1. Information literacy workshops. 

2. Guided research assignments with evaluation criteria.

1. Online library databases and academic search engines. 

2. Citation management tools (e.g., Zotero, EndNote).

Providing a list of reputable online resources and libraries.

Students will engage in reflective learning and self-assessment of their progress

1. Weekly reflection journals. 

2. Self-assessment quizzes and surveys.

1. Online journaling platforms. 

2. Online survey tools.

Offering one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions for personalized feedback.

Students will present their ideas effectively through multimedia presentations

1. Multimedia presentation workshops. 

2. Presentation rehearsals and peer feedback sessions.

1. Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi). 

2. Video recording tools.

Allowing students to choose between live or pre-recorded presentations.

Students will demonstrate their understanding through online quizzes and exams

1. Timed online quizzes with a variety of question types. 

2. Mock exams with a similar format to the actual assessment.

1. Online quiz platforms (e.g., Kahoot, Quizlet). 

2. Online proctoring services.

Providing practice quizzes for students to familiarize themselves with the platform.

Students will collaborate on group projects using version control and documentation tools

1. Version control workshops using Git. 

2. Documentation guidelines for collaborative projects.

1. Git and GitHub. 

2. Collaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs, Notion).

Introducing students to agile project management methodologies.

Resources

To set up your device for E-Presence, please follow these instructions.
To access your EKU E-Presence Zoom account via the web to schedule or manage meetings or update your profile, click here: E-Presence Login.
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