Creating Online Teaching
and Learning Environments (COTLE)
COTLE is an online workshop training DWU faculty in procedures and pedagogies
for teaching effectively online using TigerNet. COTLE was first offered in
Summer 2005 and will be repeated in May-June 2006. It is a four-week
workshop with no face-to-face meetings, allowing faculty to participate from
any summer location with Internet access. The emphasis is on developing online
instruction that facilitates learning at higher cognitive levels. The workshop
makes heavy use of online discussions in the Forums portlet in TigerNet. Online
instructional methods covered are modeled during the workshop.
Workshop Topics and Calendar:
Week 1:
TigerNet orientation; getting started
- Using TigerNet's tools
- Understanding the context for today's college students
- Approaches to online teaching and student-centered learning
- Helping students navigate the course and meet deadlines (course
management)
Week 2:
Designing rich online learning experiences to promote critical thinking and
activate higher order thinking skills (discussions will extend into weeks
3 and 4) NOTE: With the exception of critical thinking, all
these topics are optional, depending upon the workshop needs of participants.
- Critical thinking in an online course
- Breaking out of the box; thinking creatively about online teaching
and learning
- Creating online learning communities
- Using the power of the Internet in guided learning activities
- Using case studies to promote learning
- Using learning objects/embedded technology within your course
- Using group activities to promote learning
- Using electronic coursepacks/digital library resources; extending
course readings beyond the text (or in place of a text)
Week 3:
Facilitating meaningful online interaction
- Using discussion forums effectively
- Structuring online discussions to promote critical thinking
and higher order learning
- Facilitating and managing online interaction
Week 4:
Effective student assessment in an online environment; copyright issues
- Reality check on online testing
- Assessing learning at the higher cognitive levels
- Copyright issues in teaching online
- Wrap-up and workshop assessment
Workshop Learning Outcomes:
The workshop will focus on the following outcomes:
- Participants will become comfortable with using TigerNet's tools
for teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Participants will consider the mindsets and expectations of
today's typical college students in preparing and delivering instruction.
- Participants will develop the basic structure of
a course on TigerNet, with that course being either a completely
online course or a hybrid course with a mix of F2F and online activities. This "basic
structure' should include:
- A syllabus (need not be complete)
- Course learning outcomes that emphasize learning at the higher
cognitive or affective levels (to be included in the syllabus)
- Online course activities and materials, addressing selected
outcomes, to cover at least two weeks of instruction during the
course
- Appropriate instructions to guide students through the course
components developed
- Specification of appropriate student assessment measures for
the course (to be included in the syllabus)
- Student instructions for one course assignment, including
evaluation criteria
- Participants will be able to design online learning activities
that are student-centered, emphasize higher order learning and
critical thinking, and take advantage of Internet resources and/or
capabilities to promote achievement of course outcomes.
- Participants will design student assessment measures that are
appropriate for the designated outcomes.
NOTE: The course development component is optional for participants
in the “Lite”version of the workshop (e.g., no faculty
stipends).
Sample of COTLE Readings
Readings in some other topics are accessible through online databases
restricted to on-campus DWU use and therefore are not listed here.
Understanding Today's College Students:
Approaches to Online Teaching:
Designing Online Learning Activities:
Facilitating Critical Thinking:
Using Electronic Reading Resources:
Leading Meaningful Online Interaction:
Effective Student Assessment:
Copyright Issues in Teaching with Technology:
For more information about COTLE, contact Mike Albright at x2638
or mialbrig@dwu.edu.
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