To me it is very crucial having an on line course related to the required text; eventhough taking an on line course is already different then being in person in the classroom, it is very important to match the information to the text books used in class
If students don't find any value in what they are learning, then they won't be invested in their education. Course concepts need to be discussed through personal experience, knowledge and application. Additional materials - additional reading, appropriate websites, etc. - can be used to enhance the discussion, besides using the course textbook.
Charlotte:
In answer to your question: This is exactly the kind of feedback we can expect from students when the textbook duplicates the online content. And I have seen this feedback quite a few times. Students question the return for the value of the money they have invested, as well as the value of the online content.
Satrohan
Hi Satrohan,
If the course duplicates the textbook, then why have the course? The text should highlight important concepts, followed with discussion, activities, etc. which would focus on application and/or experiences an individual has had with those concepts.
Charlotte:
Both positions you have taken in the first and last sentence of your response are acknowledged. If the course content duplicates the text, we run the risk of students questioning the value of the online portion of the course. Instructors should use the technology to enrich the learning experience.
Satrohan
The online course should parallel the required text for the course; however, it should not duplicate the text. The online course course should use different methodologies to stimulate learning. For example, discussion questions could be developed from the basis of the content in each chapter. The facilitator could lead a discussion in which the application of the concepts is the focus. The textbook is an integral part of the learning environment and should not be ignored.
Stephanie:
The Learning Outcomes must drive the content domain. Select from the text those protions that are relevant to learning outcomes being addessed. Fill in the remainder with your experience and knowledge. Students always expect to see the "Instructor Emerging" in the learning experience; else you are likely to receive the following feedback in your course evaluations.
Where is the Instructor in all of this?
Why am I paying for an online version of a course when the text book "says it all"?
The primary risk in structuring a course based on the way the text book is organized is the extent of revisions involved if there are significant amount of changes when the text changes editions. And worse of all, the text becomes outdated after a few years.
Satrohan
In my situation there is no on-the-ground course. It is strictly online, thus I am building the curriculum from allotted text & personal experience/knowledge. It seems to me that this may pose a risk for the learning outcomes if it does not follow a strict guideline.
Stephanie:
Many Instructors strucutre their courses following this approach.The best reasons I can provide are:
A very high percentage of the instructional content is contained in the textbook.
They Instructor has adopted the same method of structuring the on-the-ground version of the course.
The Instructor has additional course materials from the Publisher to support this structure in an online environment.
If there is a one-to-one correspondence between the on-the-ground version of the course and the online version pof the course, then I would say that it is appropriate to structure the course in this manner. If there is not a one-to-one correspondence; then an Instructor must re-evaluate whether it is appropriate to structure the course according to the textbook.
Question for You.
Do you foresee any risks in structuring a course following this approach?
Satrohan
