Fall 2001
Revised 8/25/01 by Sue Mahoney
Welcome to this Web-based course offered by the Educational Technology Program in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Karen L. Murphy is the instructor and Sue Mahoney is the teaching assistant.
[ENROLL]
Instructor 1: 
Karen L. Murphy, Ed.D., Associate Professor
College of Education, Texas A&M University
622 Harrington Tower, MS 4232
College Station, TX 77843-4232
Contact
Voice: (979) 845-0987 (direct)
(979) 845-1831 (departmental office)
Fax: (979) 862-1256
Email: kmurphy@tamu.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Instructor page: <http://disted.tamu.edu/>
Instructor 2:
Sue E. Mahoney, M.Ed., Graduate Assistant
College of Education, Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4225
Contact:
Voice: (713) 932-1993 (direct)
Email: sue@mahoney-associates.com
Office hours: By appointment
[ Dates/Times/Location] [Course Description] [Target Audience] [ Course Objectives ] [ Texts ] [ Delivery Mode ]
The course is Web-based, with only one required face-to-face meeting to be held on Saturday, September 8, 2001 from 12:00 noon - 5:00pm. We will meet that day for an orientation and training session in 603 Harrington on the TAMU campus in College Station. Please bring:
a. your textbooks
b. course pack from Copy Corner
c. printouts of the syllabus, calendar, and the introductory unit "Getting it Together"
Please note
This course is the study of communication theory, learning theories, and systems
theory related to distance learning. It is also the application of effective and
efficient instructional methodologies to educational / instructional settings via
multiple distance education technologies and techniques. Students will examine the
foundations of distance learning from a theoretical perspective while practicing
distance learning.
We will meet once for technology training and for planning and getting to know one
another. All other sessions will take place throughout the semester via the Web for
real-time chats and for computer conferences and shared workspaces for collaborative
work, discussions, and activities. Online resources will supplement the text and
readings in the Course Pack. You will add to your store of knowledge about these
technologies by using them for communication, information gathering, and dissemination.
Because the course is Web-based, expect to spend even more time on this course than
you would on traditional courses -- about 12-15 hours per week for 15 weeks.
Target Audience
School teachers, administrators, and curriculum and technology specialists; and faculty
and staff in higher education institutions.
Course Objectives
1. Examine definitions of distance education, distance learning, distributed learning,
and open learning;
2. Describe issues and trends in distance education;
3. Apply communication theory, learning theories, and systems theory to distance
education settings;
4. Identify distance educators, journals, and other resources;
5. Select appropriate delivery technologies for specific contexts and learner characteristics;
6. Demonstrate effectiveness and efficiency in using varied distance education technologies.
Delivery Mode
The course will be taught as a Web-based course. In addition, we will explore applications
of other delivery technologies.
You will use the Web to:
You will use FirstClass to:
You will each have authorization to access both the class Web site and the FirstClass 608 conferences with your own identical login ID and password. Your login ID is the first letter of your first name followed by your last name (e.g., mine is kmurphy for Karen Murphy). Your password is the last 5 digits of your student ID number. Use these when you're prompted for your ID and password.
FirstClass Computer Conference:
We will use the text-based conferencing system, FirstClass. This course requires you to have access to the client version of FirstClass from your own desktop so that you can use all of the functions of the software (i.e., email, conference messaging, chats, collaborative documents). Note that to use collaborative documents, you must do so from the client version of FirstClass.You can access FirstClass from the Web for more limited access. Follow the instructions for downloading and installing FirstClass onto your computer at <http://fc.coe.tamu.edu>. Contact FirstClass Help <firstclass@coe.tamu.edu> for all technical difficulties or if you can't see the EDTC 608 Conferences on your FirstClass desktop, once you have been authorized a FirstClass account..
You need access to an Internet provider to use FirstClass and Netscape (or another Web browser) via modem from home or work, or via ethernet. All students are eligible for an account on the computer system at TAMU through the Computing & Information Services. If you expect to have difficulty in connecting to the University computer system via modem, we strongly encourage you to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider that offers a PPP or SLIP connection
Pre-course Assessment:
Complete and submit the online assessment for online courses <http://disted.tamu.edu/classes/ReadinessAssessment.html>
for us to assess your readiness.
[ Dates/Times/Location] [Course Description] [Target Audience] [ Course Objectives ] [ Texts ] [ Delivery Mode ]