What
Resources Do You Use to Create a Course?
- Use pictures to describe concepts
- A picture is worth a thousand words and a million dollars to Divinchi.
- It is fine to describe a concept with a thousand words but don't expect half of your students to read it. Most prefer very short explanations with illustrations.
- Limit links to Internet sites. Links quickly become outdated.
- Get permissions and use diagrams locally.
- AGS has teacher resource discs for most of these purposes and there are several Internet sites that sell pictures very cheaply.
- Creating your own diagrams and pictures can be time consuming but so can writing that 1000 word description.
- Humorous pictures along the way should be included.
- Don't you agree!
- You can not have too many graphics!
- Find resources with lower reading levels but higher interest level.
- There are several textbook companies that specialize in this area; use one that fits your district's and state's curriculum.
- In the classroom, a teacher can explain the text in a book. Not so in distance education.
- Students will be on their own most of the time and if they don't understand the book then, "Game Over!"
- Easier reading translates to quicker assignments and all of the above.
- Make sure the interest level of the book is geared toward the prospective students.
- Easier reading should not be associated with lower achieving students, keep high expectations.
- Thick heavy books decrease student motivation, especially when they are on their own.
- Provide the entire course with options on completion.
- If your course is designed to be a full year supply all the things the student will need for the entire course.
- Students finishing the first semester should not have to wait until February for materials for the second semester.
- All student packest for the entire course are identical whether they want the first semester, second semester or parts and peices of the course.
- If you course is broken into quarters students, teachers, and parents can decide what quarters they want their student to take if they only need a semester.
- Students can scan the whole course to be prepared for what is coming. No surprises!
- Work toward Alaska Standards, YKSD curriculum while following textbook order.
- Chose a textbook that follows the standards of your state and district.
- Students do better following the order of the textbook than jumping around to meet particular standards.
- If you don't use a textbook because you want students to follow your own road be prepared for nomatic meandering students. You must create a great map following your standards be prepared to spend a lot of time on this project.
- Students will tend to use the textbook as a guide rather than a resource manual.
- Each assignment page should contain contact information.
- If a student has a question they should not have to dig for you number.
- Students are more likely to guess, get a wrong concept, or give up entirely when they are having trouble than dig for an e-mail address or a phone number.
- Make sure and include contact information that is correct. They won't try twice!