Foundations of Distance Teaching and Learning

This session includes an overview of research that addresses the question of "quality" of traditional vs. technology-enhanced delivery techniques. Additional topics include a description of distance learners, important principles of teaching and learning, competence in teaching at a distance, and myths and realities of teaching at a distance, such as student and faculty support issues.

Instructional Design for Technology-Mediated Environments

This is an extremely interactive session with concept mapping, demonstrations, small group assignments, and theoretical foundations from Gagne and other leaders in the field of instructional design. The basic premise is that good instructional design is the foundation for effective instruction, regardless of the delivery mode. Modifications and considerations for distance education will be introduced.

Learning Styles and Philosophical Viewpoints

This is a great session for those who are new to teaching/training. We begin by looking at a variety of teaching/training quotes from famous "philosophers" and build that exercise into writing our own teaching/learning philosophies. This becomes the foundation for a series of learning style inventories that will describe who we are as learners to help us match our own philosophical framework to the way we teach.

Course Planning for Distance Education

This module builds upon the instructional design module by broadening the "development" stage. Writing learner-centered instructional objectives, matching media and methods, course modification guidelines, designing interactive study guides, and constructing the syllabus or training outline are all components of this session.

Teaching Techniques and Strategies

One of the hallmarks of distance education is interactivity. Yet, beginners often try to build courses from lecture notes (the infamous talking head) and fail to creatively implement interactive strategies. Well, hang on to your seats! This session focuses on engaging students at a distance by modeling numerous active techniques and providing a framework for participants to design and deliver their own mini-lessons using these strategies.

Group Discussion and Facilitation Techniques

This session builds upon the skills introduced in teaching techniques and strategies. One phrase often used in distance education refers to the changing role of the instructor, from "sage on the stage to guide on the side." This module is designed to develop facilitation skills and a better understanding of group dynamics. Small group discussion techniques will include questioning strategies (including higher-level/critical thinking), brainstorming/buzz groups, case studies, role-plays, and reactor panels.

Production and Presentation Techniques

This module compliments the course planning session. Details on storyboarding/scripting and logistical considerations for distance delivery will be stressed. This session also includes developing a personal "signature" and effective camera techniques for a professional interactive video or satellite delivery.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues

Because of the emergence of web-based access to materials, many institutions are worried about the loss of intellectual property and/or the infringement of "fair-use" guidelines within copyright law. This module uses a case study approach and question/answer session to delve into these issues.

Evaluation and Assessment

One of the first questions asked when developing materials for distance delivery is "How can we administer tests on-line?" This session explores a variety of assessment techniques, including authentic assessment and evaluation rubrics (the 5 P's: portfolios, presentations, papers, projects, and peer evaluation). Additionally, course/program evaluation techniques (formative and summative) and benchmark data collection (such as learning style inventories) will highlight this session.

Administration and Financing Distance Learning Programs

Complete training programs are commonly being implemented to distance learning formats. This session provides an overview of administrative issues (including financial considerations) for the development of content, infrastructure, and policy to manage and lead this effort.

Overview of Visual Techniques for Interactive Video

Teaching or training over TV monitors can sometimes be a challenge! This session will provide an overview to a variety of visualization techniques, including PowerPoint graphics, animation, simulation, microscopy, videotape, slides, and 3-D demonstrations.

Introduction to PowerPoint Graphics

The focus of this module is "Making Your Presentation Presentable!" Basic graphic design principles for the development of PowerPoint presentations formatted for TV monitors and/or projection will be emphasized. You'll learn about appropriate fonts, colors, balance, inserting clip art or other images, and basic drawing tools.

This is a continuation to the Introduction to PowerPoint Graphics. Tables, graphs, hyper-text, scanning, and basic graphic editing will be covered in this hands-on session.

The session is an introductory course in basic webpage development.

Introduction to Computer Conferencing

Many tools are available on the market for supplementing communication for on-line training. Web forms, web-boards/threaded-discussion, database interfaces and more will be covered in this module.

Grant and Proposal Development/Writing

Grant writing is a mystery to many but in fact can be learned. By following some simple rules, anyone can be successful in this arena. This module will train one to know how to write proposals to funding agencies to include public and private sources such as the federal government, military, state government, agencies and foundations.

Grant and/or Project Management

So you have received funding or have been assigned to a new project! What do you do next? Managing people and productivity is not as easy as it appears. This module will assist you in delegation skills, negotiation and problem solving, innovation and creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Introduction to Consulting

This module will assist one in beginning a consulting practice. Topics covered will include marketing, establishing a web presence, and the process of legally establishing your business (DBA status, should your business be incorporated, etc.), liability issues, etc.

Evaluation & Outcome Assessment

This module will include topics such as retrun on investment, skills/gap analysis, competency-based training, competency models, self assessments and benchmarking and authenticating competencies.

How to be Successful in the Global Marketplace

This module will include topics such as cross-cultural communication, globalization and global markets, telecommunication tools, systems thinking and interdiciplinary approaches.

Evolving Communication Models for the 21st Century

This module will focus on new and evolving communications strategies. Especially in these post-9/11/01 times, organizations are looking for new ways to communicate that do not require as much travel. Moreover, as business strategy is now including more and more technology, how to move toward "high-tech" and still remain "high-touch" is a major issue.

Leadership Development for Performance

There are many leadership workshops and seminars for leadership; some using the most notable leadership books of the day. However little is currently being done regarding developing leaders that directly lead to performance improvement. This would be a lengthly project involving a gap analysis, leadership development training, and then appropriate transfer to performance.

Gap Analysis