Syllabus


 * ==EDIT 6265:== ==Distance & Alternative Education Management== **Fall Semester, 2007**Michelle MarottiTelephone: (770)789-7841E-Mail: hellomarotti@gmail.com ||

> > EDIT 6265 will be taught online. No textbook will be required for the course. Students will utilize electronic readings and research. ||
 * ==Course Description== EDIT 6265 is an examination of the varied trends, issues, skills, and dispositions that impact the effective utilization and management of distance and alternative learning environments. Theoretical and practical considerations are addressed through online discussions that analyze and review professional publications, texts, case studies, and best practices. Emphasis is placed on the following themes and considerations: *Stress Management * Time Management
 * Stress Management
 * Time Management
 * Group / Team Management
 * Managing Internet Access and Security
 * Managing and Facilitating Change
 * Discovering and Evaluating Emerging Trends and Issues in Distance Education
 * Analyzing Virtual Student Profiles, Learner Characteristics
 * Researching Distance Learning Implementation: Case Studies, Best Practices, Lessons Learned
 * Investigating Future Prospects for Distance & Alternative Education


 * Goals and Objectives**
 * Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
 * Identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
 * Use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
 * Apply technology to increase productivity.
 * Investigate and discuss various issues that impact the successful management and delivery of distance and alternative education.
 * Identify, discuss, and describe documented strategies and effective management solutions for addressing security issues and other implementation problems within the distance learning environment.
 * Analyze and evaluate student, course, and management characteristics that promote successful outcomes in the distance learning environment.
 * Investigate, discuss, and describe strategies for implementing and facilitating change.
 * Investigate, discuss, and describe potential prospects for the future with regard to distance and alternative education.
 * Use technology to communicate and collaborate in order to foster learning.
 * Use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning. ||

Grading Criteria

 * There are three possible paths that you may choose (all of which depend upon you doing high quality, graduate work in a timely fashion).
 * **For a grade of C:**
 * 1) Read //all// of the discussion items that are posted.
 * 2) Respond to at least ten (10) discussion items that have been posted by others throughout the term.Valid responses are those that add value to the course in the way of readings, research, or relevant experience. (Personal affirmations such as, "Good Post!" are not discouraged, but will not be included in the follow-up response count.)
 * 3) Complete the online Activities. For a grade of B:
 * 4) Read //all// of the discussion (Bulletin Board) items that are posted.
 * 5) Respond to at least ten (10) discussion items that have been posted by others throughout the term.Valid responses are those that add value to the course in the way of readings, research, or relevant experience. (Personal affirmations such as, "Good Post!" are not discouraged, but will not be included in the follow-up response count.)
 * 6) Complete the online Activities.*
 * 7) Complete the Midterm Project. **For a grade of A:**
 * 8) Read //all// of the discussion (Bulletin Board) items that are posted.
 * 9) Respond to at least ten (10) discussion items that have been posted
 * >> by others throughout the term.Valid responses are those that add value to the course in the way of readings, research, or relevant experience. (Personal affirmations such as, "Good Post!" are not discouraged, but will not be included in the follow-up response count.)
 * 1) Complete the online Activities.*
 * 2) Complete the Midterm Project.*
 * 3) Complete the Final Project.*
 * * See the applicable class link for details.
 * Items 1 and 2 above will make-up the **Class Participation** portion of the final grade. The Class Participation score will be calculated as follows:
 * 1) The total number of items read will be divided by the total number of items posted for a maximum score of 100.
 * 2) The total number of valid follow-up posts or responses (as described above) will be divided by 10 for a maximum score of 100.
 * 3) The sum of the two scores will then be divided by 2.
 * Each applicable component as displayed via the "Grades" link will be given equal weight.
 * See Also: The Due Date information below. ||
 * See Also: The Due Date information below. ||

Additional Information
For the purpose of this class, plagiarism is considered to be the unauthorized or unattributed use of the work of another. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized collaboration, **copying and pasting information from the Internet or from any other source and claiming it as one's own**, submitting work that has been used for another class, or submitting the work of another. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in a grade of 0 for the given assignment. Any repeated act of plagiarism will result in a grade of F for the course. Ramifications can also extend to the university level. For additional information about academic dishonesty, see the GC&SU [|Graduate Catalog]. There are many excellent sources that discuss plagiarism and how to avoid it. Students are encouraged to research, read, and review these sources. The sites below serve as a partial, but informative listing: Unless instructed otherwise, assignments should be submitted electronically. (See the applicable assignment link for details.)
 * **__Academic Integrity:__**
 * http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
 * http://sja.ucdavis.edu/avoid.htm
 * http://science.widener.edu/svb/essay/plagiar.html
 * http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/research/r_plagiar.html
 * http://www.asee.org/prism/december/html/student_plagiarism_in_an_onlin.htmAn important and highly recommended text for citing sources is the [|//Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association//].**__Attendance:__**Class participation is an important aspect of the course. It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with the class site and to check it regularly for assignments, messages, updates, and feedback.**__Computer Access & Competency:__**It is assumed that the student has access to a computer with Internet capabilities. It is also assumed that the student understands basic computer operations (e.g., Web browsing, copying, pasting, saving, printing, etc.) and knows how to send and receive e-mail messages. If this is not the case, the student should discuss this with the instructor. While it is possible to overcome a lack of background, the student must be aware that he/she has the same responsibilities as the other class members to complete the work of the course.If technical problems should arise with a student's personal computer or connection, and an immediate remedy cannot be found, the student should utilize a computer or computer lab that is available at the [|GC&SU] or [|Macon State College] campus. With the exception of holidays, these labs are open 7 days per week. Other sites that offer computer access include public and college libraries.**__Due Dates:__**Due dates are posted to the applicable assignments and "Course Calendar." Timely contributions are critical to the dynamics of the class. Any assignment that is submitted after the respective due date will receive a letter grade deduction for a maximum score of 80%. Assignments that are submitted more than a week (7 days) late will receive a maximum score of 70%. Assignments that are submitted more than two weeks (14 days) late will receive a maximum score of 50%. Assignments that are submitted after **December 4, 2007** will not be accepted for credit.Since computers with Internet access are commonly available at multiple locations on a daily basis, technical problems with one's personal computer or connection will not serve as a legitimate excuse for late assignments.The last day to drop the class without academic penalty is **October 10, 2007**. A final grade of "Incomplete" can only be granted for documented, nonacademic reasons (e.g., unexpected surgery, hospitalization, etc.).
 * __Document Submission:__**
 * __Important Notes:__**
 * The class site for EDIT 6265 is dynamic and subject to change.
 * It will be the responsibility of the student to become familiar with the class site and to check it regularly for messages, updates, information, and feedback.
 * A 72-hour (3-day) time period will be allotted for any participant (student or professor) to view any new message or material that is posted to the site.
 * All assignments and due dates will be available as of the first day of class. It will be the responsibility of the student to structure and manage his or her time expeditiously.
 * All online instructions, assignments, materials, and messages should be read carefully and completely. ||