Distance Learning

Distributed Learning from Anywhere!

Online and Hybrid Course Offerings

To build enrollment by addressing the needs of geographically dispersed and nontraditional students, NJC is developing its own Distributed Learning Program. The College defines "distance learning" as the offering of courses online or with significant online components ("significant" = reducing in-class time by 50% or more). A course with significant online components combined with some on-campus course time is considered "hybrid." While some courses will be offered purely online, the majority of NJC's distributed course offerings will be hybrid. This will both differentiate NJC courses from the rapidly expanding universe of online offerings that erode service area/student connections, as well as provide a learning environment that is in many cases proving to be superior to both traditional class formats and wholly online formats.

To develop and deliver these types of courses, the College has: 1) purchased a web-based course management tool and upgraded hardware to support it, 2) provide technical support staff, and 3) trained faculty in the technology and effective pedagogy of online and hybrid instruction. The web-based course management tool that the College has purchased Blackboard, a product widely used in higher education to support online learning environments. Blackboard is software that helps instructors easily put course information online. Instructors do not need to know programming to use it, because content is added through the use of online forms or by adding files made in Word, PowerPoint or Excel. Blackboard also has features that enhance communication, including discussion boards and virtual classrooms (chat rooms). There is also a "digital drop-box," which allows student to securely submit assignments, and a secure testing function that draws questions randomly from pools to present each student with a different test.

Also, the previous core router/switch was obsolete and could not support any increased online activity. A new core router/switch was purchased to support Blackboard use. In addition, to provide ongoing technical support, 20% of an instructional technology staff member's time is dedicated to the Distributed Learning Program. The program is coordinated by a faculty member who is very experienced in online teaching. The coordinator will both organize faculty training activities and serve as a mentor to faculty that is developing new online or hybrid courses.

Over the 5-year period of the grant, 20 faculty members (four per year) are trained in effective online/hybrid pedagogy and Blackboard use. The trained faculty will each be compensated to develop two online or hybrid courses, for a total of eight per year. By the end of the grant, at least 40 online or hybrid courses will be available to students and at least three degree programs will be available entirely through these formats. Also, at least three of the new online or hybrid courses will be remedial, addressing the current unavailability of flexible formats for nontraditional students.

Cyndi Vandenbark named Faculty Coordinator for the Distributed Learning Project

YEAR ONE (2004-2005)
Install hardware to support Blackboard and Blackboard 6.0.
New core router/switch purchased and installed. Blackboard purchased and installed. Blackboard ready for use.
12/1/04.

Faculty member selected to receive a one-course release to coordinate Distance Learning (DL) program.

Coordinator Stanton Gartin makes announcement for DL Coordinator and faculty apply. He evaluates background/experience to select.  Faculty member selected to coordinate program.
11/1/04.

Outside DL expert trains four faculty on Blackboard and online pedagogy for online/hybrid learning.  Contact DL experts recommended by University of Denver. Contact references. Select candidate. DL Coordinator schedules workshops.  Four faculty trained to develop and teach online/hybrid courses.
2/15/05.

Faculty develop online/hybrid courses.  Trained faculty develop two courses. DL Coordinator mentors faculty developing courses.  Eight online/hybrid courses developed and offered.
10/1/04 - 10/1/05.

Faculty receives support using Blackboard as needed.  Twenty percent-time Technologist assists faculty developing and teaching online/hybrid courses as needed.  Faculty receives technical support they need.
10/1/04 - 10/1/05.

YEAR TWO (10/1/05--9/30/06)
Spring of 2006 began with a new server and new classes.  Cyndi Vandenbark attended numerous training sessions to learn the new Learning Management System WebCT Vista.  During this time, Blackboard purchases the WebCT Company.  Faculty continued to be excited as they began getting their courses ready for the migration process.  Cyndi and Steve Marshal completed their administrative certification course with flying colors!  Steve also became very instrumental during this time period statewide, as the college migrated courses from Blackboard to WebCT Vista.  In April, Ronda Monheiser hosted a faculty-to-faculty session to help answer questions about the migration process.  Twenty-eight faculty members attended the luncheon.  During this Q&A session, Ronda issued a challenge to each faculty member.  She called upon each and every faculty member to develop at least one online course.  Many faculty members answered this challenge, helping NJC move forward to a fully online degree program offering. In April, Tim Tewalt and Kim Vosiky from the League of Innovators offered on campus training in Camtasia and Online Pedagogy.  Forty-two faculty members attended the three day sessions at various times.  Comments from the faculty were very positive toward this two day in-service.  Comments included:  “Thanks for bringing back my pedagogical training.  This is a great refresher!”  “I am now ready to get started on the new server!”  “Great, great, great.” 
Spring 2006.

Faculty, although a little nervous about potential changes, continued to learn the new system, and many took giant steps toward the basic certification on the new server.  Seven faculty members jumped right into training days after the server was up and fully functional.  By the end of the summer break, 17 faculty members had completed the Vista Basic Training.  Twenty-two courses were migrated from Blackboard to the WebCT server, and courses began to take shape for the fall semester.  Four grants were paid to the following instructors:  Ronda Monheiser, Connie Henderson, Kala Doane and Lisa Shinn; Amy Sorenson; Brenda Rhodes; and Bucky Walters. 
Summer 2006.

Faculty continued to enroll in the Vista Basic training, and many course shells were launched for instructors to start using for web enhanced courses.  Brenda Zink, Tonia Lock, Dave Coles, and Bill McCormick began using Camtasia to record lectures for their courses.  Each faculty member is using this software in a variety of different avenues.  Brenda, Tonia and Dave are currently developing hybrid or online courses.  Bill began using the software to record short sessions to help math students with particular math concepts.  The recordings made by Tonia and Bill will be made available in a WebCT Math help section, as well as a CD in the library.  In December, the Title III coordinators decided that online/hybrid courses were a very key part to the future of NJC students.  Funds were re-distributed to Distance Learning for Online Course Development.  The amount of $30,000 was offered to the faculty for course development.  Fourteen instructors applied, and grants were awarded for course development.  These courses will be offered by fall of 2007.

Title III Distance Learning Grants:
Connie Humphreys, Brenda Zink, Brenda Robbins, Amanda Kerker, Brenda Rhodes, Heidi Zajic-Echland, Dave Coles, Lisa Shin, Kala Doane, Justina McCracken, Leland Williams, Maret Felzien, Kristy Pollart, and Ronda Monheiser.
Fall 2006.
 
Cyndi Vandenbark becomes full time Director for Classroom Technology.  The college is offering increasing numbers of hybrid and online courses.  In our large rural area, this has offered enhanced options to many distance students.  The majority of our faculty (42) completed WebCT training and are teaching distance learning courses.  We have 75 distance learning courses developed and available for NJC’s, newly rewired with increased capabilities, WebCT Vista host server. Camtasia software, on several laptops with web cams, is available to record lectures as a component of the electronic curriculum development. 
Fall 2006.

YEAR THREE (10/1/06--9/30/07) 
NJC faculty continues to attend the Online Distance Learning Team meetings.  This group has established new guidelines for minimum and maximum requirements for hybrid courses, a recommended shell for all online/hybrid courses, a rubric for course design and a list of courses that will be offered over the next two years.  At this time, 117 hybrid or online courses are being created, fine tuned, or taught. 
Spring 2007.

During March 2007 Cyndi offered various one-hour training sessions throughout the month.  Faculty are planning summer and fall courses, and grant applications continue to come into the Distance Learning Office.  Cyndi trained 10 faculty on various course topics including Introduction to WebCT, Assessment Tools, Gradebook and Test Maintenance.  Faculty members who received grants are scheduling to meeting with Cyndi throughout April and May to put together a plan of action for needs and courses materials.
Spring 2007.

The Distance Learning Program will develop and add new courses throughout the grant period and beyond.

Watch for new information and updates on this web site.

YEAR FOUR (10/1/07—9/30/08)
Our Distance Learning program has had great participation as our faculty have created many hybrid and online courses.  In a large rural service area, this has offered enhanced options to many distant students.  We have increased our enrollment, and student retention continues to be very strong in relation to other community colleges in Colorado.  The college is offering greatly increasing numbers of hybrid and online courses as a result of grant funded faculty support, and training and incentive stipends to produce classes in this format.

We have far exceeded our Distance Learning goals for producing hybrid and online courses.

The College is continuing to focus on developing transfer articulations to 4-year distance learning programs.  More than 90% of hybrid courses now meet the criteria for transfer into Colorado Christian University.

Faculty continue receiving support in order to use Blackboard.  Cyndi Vandenbark, Director of Distance Learning, and Steve Marshall continue to provide ongoing support for WebCT Vista use.

In response to feedback from online/hybrid course instructors, faculty were surveyed in order to evaluate how to best address these suggestions.  As a result, empty course shells with a consistent “look” and navigation structure are now being provided in order to facilitate development.  In addition, “cheat sheets” with hints and workarounds for common problems are provided and a twice-a-month newsletter with helpful information is distributed.  Training content has also been augmented.

The College is continuing to conduct online student surveys using the Zoomerang program.  The Online Distance Learning Team is developing a new student evaluation to better assess student satisfaction and motivations for taking online/hybrid courses.

A major upgrade to the online learning system was completed in September 2007.  Many hours were spent on this process, and all went very smoothly due to the dedication and hard work of those involved.

Title III Distance Learning Successful Implementation:
--Sixty-five new courses offered as hybrid or online with an enrollment of 516.
--Forty faculty trained in Vista Basic.
--Online Distance Learning Team to ensure quality, integrity and customer service in online courses.
--Course shells are provided.
--Growing interest in integration of technology in many courses which “engage the students.”
--A major upgrade to the online learning system was completed September 2007.