Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 632 – Enhancing Online Student Engagement (Summer B 2022)
Credits - 3
Description
Online learning must be rigorous, relevant, and designed to meet the needs of all students. Participants will explore current practices in online curriculum design and instructional strategies that focus on maximizing student engagement with technology-enabled learning content, the instructor, and with other students.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Students will:
- Design online instructional modules that incorporate learner engagement methods appropriate for their intended audience.
- Create learning activities and assessments that motivate learners.
- Foster learner engagement using meaningful feedback.
- Evaluate emerging technologies for online learning experiences.
- Incorporate ethical practices, digital well-being and privacy considerations in online engagement strategies.
Assignments
Discussions and Written Assignments
Discussion forums will provide an opportunity to share content and ideas, as well as exchange feedback and test-drive projects in this course. Written assignments will help fine-tune the elements of the course and might serve as drafts of and reflections on creating online course elements.
In addition to weekly discussion boards, you have eight written assignments for this course. Specific instructions for each assignment can be found within the weekly modules.
Week 2: Video Feedback Assignment
Provide video feedback on a learner’s assignment, with the goal of establishing a connection, providing constructive criticism, and remaining positive and encouraging. Work samples are provided for participants who do not have access to actual student work.
Week 2: Course Map
Create or modify a course map for your online course using Backward Design principles.
Week 3: Video Presentation Assignment
Create and record an engaging video presentation applying Mayer’s principles on a topic from your course map, and add it to your sandbox course.
Week 4: Create an Interactive Learning Activity
Pick a template or an existing interactive piece of content and modify it to fit learning goals/outcomes of your online course.
Week 5: Build Discussions in Sandbox
In this week’s discussion, you will craft 2-3 original discussion prompts and share them for feedback. After you have received your peers’ reviews of your discussion prompts, make any adjustments to your discussions and build them in your sandbox course. Then record a short screencast describing the changes you made and why.
Week 6: Create a Collaborative Learning Project
Design an activity or a project for your learners to complete where they will be driving their own learning. Submit your project plan to your instructor for grading, and begin building your activity or project in your sandbox course.
Week 7: Course Walkthrough & OSCQR Rubric
Review your course according to the OSCQR Rubric, then record a short screencast walkthrough of your course to share with peers and submit to your instructor for grading.
Week 8: Engagement Strategies OR Instructor Guide
As a final project for this course:
Option 1: review the criteria you have come up with in this course and use them as a starting point to create a final list of engagement strategies for your audience.
Option 2: create an instructor guide for your course* to increase student engagement.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussions | 10 @ 4 points each (40 points total) |
| Week 2: Video Feedback Assignment | 4 points |
| Week 2: Course Map | 4 points |
| Week 3: Video Presentation Assignment | 8 points |
| Week 4: Create an Interactive | 10 points |
| Week 5: Build Discussions in Sandbox | 4 points |
| Week 6: Create a Collaborative Learning Project | 10 points |
| Week 7: Course Walkthrough & OSCQR Rubric | 10 points |
| Week 8: Engagement Strategies OR Instructor Guide | 10 points |
| TOTAL | 100 points |
Schedule
Course Weeks
- Jun 22 – Jun 26
- Jun 27 – Jul 3
- Jul 4 – Jul 10
- Jul 11 – Jul 17
- Jul 18 – Jul 24
- Jul 25 – Jul 31
- Aug 1 – Aug 7
- Aug 8 – Aug 14
|
Week |
Course Materials |
Activities & Assignments |
Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1: Introduction |
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Week 1 Discussion: Introductions Week 1 Survey Week 1 Sandbox Assignment (No submission): Request/make sure to have space in your school’s Learning Management System (or online learning platform, like Canvas, Schoology, Moodle, etc.) to build elements of your online course (a Sandbox). |
Due: Sunday at 11:59 PM ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY night |
|
Week 2: How to Use Design to Enhance Teacher Presence |
|
Week 2 Class Discussion: Virtual Connections Week 2 Assignment 1: Video Feedback Week 2 Assignment 2: Course Map Week 2 Sandbox Assignment (Not Submitted) This week, you may want to start creating a structural outline in your Sandbox course. Add your topics as modules or lessons. You will be adding further activities as you are building them in this course |
Due: Sunday at 11:59 PM ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
Week 3: How to Design Multimedia Content for a Variety of Learners |
|
Interactive Activity (ungraded): Jenny’s Presentation Week 3 Discussion: Engagement Criteria Week 3 Assignment: Video Presentation |
Due: Sunday at 11:59 PM ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
Week 4: How to Design Interactive Content |
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Week 4 Discussion: Asynchronous Polls Week 4 Assignment: Create an Interactive Learning Activity |
Due: Sunday at 11:59 PM ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
Week 5: How to Craft Engaging Discussions |
|
Week 5 Discussion 1: Create 2-3 Discussion Prompts (initial post due Wednesday; responses due by Friday) Week 5 Discussion 2: 3-2-1 Discussion Strategy (initial post due Sunday; peer responses are optional) Week 5 Assignment: Build Discussions in Sandbox |
Due: Sunday at 11:59 pm ET *Note: This week’s discussions have varying due dates. |
|
Week 6: How to Engage Learners through Collaboration and Active Learning |
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Interactive Activity (ungraded): Jenny’s Learning Objectives Week 6 Discussion: Collaborative Learning Activities Week 6 Assignment: Create a Collaborative Learning Project
|
Due: Sunday at 11:59 pm ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY |
|
Week 7: Digital Well-Being: What does Ethical Practice Look Like Online? |
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Interactive Activity (ungraded): Accessibility Best Practices Week 7 Discussion: Accessibility and Digital Well-Being Week 7 Assignment: Course Walkthrough & OSCQR Rubric |
Due: Sunday at 11:59 pm ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
Week 8: t’s an Experiment: Wrap Up and Explore! |
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Week 8 Sharing Forum: Course Walkthroughs & Feedback Week 8 Discussion: Emerging Technologies Week 8 Assignment: Engagement Strategies OR Instructor Guide Please complete the course evaluation |
Due: FRIDAY at 11:59 pm ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- Education Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/education/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AI Use
The Graduate Programs in Education holds the position that Grammarly and other AI writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate-level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools when not explicitly permitted may result in an academic integrity infraction.
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office. 16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office. The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook. Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course. The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following: Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.Attendance Policy
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
UNE Course Withdrawal
Academic Integrity