New River Online | Course Development Process

Information Technology is a faculty resource to assist in the development of instructional materials to be used in New River courses. As we assist instructors in creating online instructional materials we adhere to proven instructional design concepts (like the ADDIE model - more info). The following graphic separates the ADDIE model stages into three distinct course development phases:

1. Pre-Production

Through a collaborative approach of working directly with instructors, we plan and develop instructional computer-based presentations, interactive software, and demonstrations that will contribute to solving instructional problems. We provide consultation with designing effective online instructional materials, assistance with brainstorming instructional projects (based on instructional objectives), guidance for establishing project timelines, and consultation with formatting information for online delivery. Additionally, we offer streaming media and database services connected to instructional projects as well as access and trainig for the New River course management system, WebCT. In the pre-production phase of course development we focus specifically on ANAYLSIS and DESIGN of the instructional problems and materials to address them. Faculty are encouraged to work collaboratively with Dr. Ayersman to simplify the development of instructional software and facilitate the instructional delivery associated with the content materials. Through this collaborative approach, assistance is provided with developing a content outline and then converting this document into a storyboard enhanced with multimedia elements (text, graphics, animations, audio, and video) that are connected via pedagogically sound navigational features and rich with learning activities. Artifacts of the Pre-Production phase include concept maps from the brainstorming session, a content outline, a storyboard.

Building directly on the content outline, storyboard, and other pre-production efforts, we create and assemble course materials to reflect the overall sequence and design chosen for the course. Essentially, we put all the assembled course materials into a consistent format and then sequence them in a logical order conducive to learning. To do this in WebCT requires familarity with the course tools to create and sequence the course content (this information is covered in the IT 200: Course Development with WebCT) workshop. In the production phase of course development we focus on DEVELOPMENT and IMPLEMENTATION . Artifacts of the Production phase include a first draft of the course content, assignments, and assessments.

3. Post-Production

When a new online course is first taught the instructor/designer typically pays careful attention to student feedback regarding sequence of the information, the nature of the assessments, and the responses to the assignments. It is not uncommon to make a number of course revisions following the first offering of it in the online environment. Understanding the built-in assessment tools of WebCT as well as other assessment techniques can help to identify areas of the course to improve prior to the next offering. In the post-production phase of course development we focus specfically on EVALUATION (and revision which starts the cycle over again). Artifacts of this stage include student feedback, instructor feedback, completed assignments, assessments, and the overall course revisions made by the instructor/designer.