5 Learning Management Course Room

D2L Course Room Components

This section looks at the basic components of a virtual support course room. A list of the modules used in a sample course room is found in Appendix B.

A support course room is a key element in the program.  It is where Learning Circle participants interact weekly by submitting their work-plans and participating in optional discussion forums where they share a “Pearl” (“Aha” moment or discovery) for the week.

The Learning Circles and this course room also offer faculty those support services that faculty need to succeed in their work; resources, time saving templates for organization of materials, collaboration, and faculty and librarian support, a chance to use what they are learning while they are learning it, time to work, plus administrative support (the support of the Learning Circles as well as the provision of stipends that show faculty that this extra work is truly valued).^[1], ^[2]

1. Project Pathway Modules

The project pathway modules are the core modules for guiding and supporting your participants through the scheduled weekly sessions for each cohort.

Structured weekly modules in Content area of your LMS:

Include a specific module for each of the five possible project pathways depending on if the Learning Circles are at the institutional level or the system level:

2. Additional Resource Modules to include in your online course

Faculty value any resources that you can provide. Following here are some examples of additional modules.

Process for creating an Online Support Course Room

• Have your IT Administrator create an LMS course for the program.
• Create Content Modules in your course room (Use Appendix B. )  OER Learning Circle Faculty Support Online Course Structure Template
• Create Discussion Forums.
  
  

  “Netiquette” image, Ncvelasco, Wikimedia Commons, Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

  Ask your Facilitator–This is a forum to ask class pertinent questions. I will respond within 24 hours Cyber Cafe–This is an informal forum for you to visit about things not pertaining to class content. Just remember to be respectful, appropriate, and follow netiquette guidelines. Netiquette Reminder–Netiquette Must be observed at ALL times! No impolite, disrespectful, derogatory language or comments are acceptable! Violation of netiquette can result in immediate and permanent removal from the class!^[3]

  Picture of the D2l FLC courseroom showing the Discussion area.

   

  Learning Circle Introductory Week–Your first discussion posting will be an introduction posting. Introduce yourself to your colleagues. Tell us a little about yourself: your interests, hobbies, pets, families and thoughts about OER resources! Discussion  “Pearls” –-A discussion area for participants to add their weekly Pearls is a key forum to have–it can be one forum with multiple threads, or a new forum for each week. Example narrative: “This week after you have uploaded your tentative plan to the appropriate submission folder…. Share a “Pearl” from your OER Learning Circle Experience this week.  A pearl is an interesting idea, a useful tool, or an insightful comment or quote. Write at least two sentences about this pearl.”

  “Shell, The beach pearl, Beach image” Image from Pixabay, free use.

An example of Discussion “Pearls”:

Learning Circle One (or whichever week it is!)

This week after you have uploaded your edited plan to the Dropbox…. come here and add a “Pearl” from your OER pathway work. A pearl is an interesting idea, a useful tool, or an insightful comment or quote. Write at least two sentences about this pearl. Please post a “Pearl” from your past week’s work experience. A  “Pearl” is a interesting idea, useful tool, insightful comment or quote, or Aha! moment.

Picture/Example of a D2L assignments dropbox.

OER Learning Circle Faculty Support Online Course Structure Template

Create Assignment Drop-boxes

To see more details about the OER Learning circles Faculty Support Online Course Structure Template see Appendix B.