Created as part of the four-day PLUTO Institute: Blended Learning 2014.

1. “Student Course
Orientation”
Theme: Course Overview
LN
+ PLUTO Sakai Orientation

2. Focus on
Plan & Design
Phases of Course Development
LN

3. Quick Updates
LN

4. Quick Updates
• Tagboard #PLUTOBL2014
• Daily theme structure (color coded)
• Daily assignments
• Risk losing 1 point

5. Purpose
of a Student Orientation
LN

6. Student Interviews About Sakai Support
Three students, summer 2013
• “Could we slim down the default course navigation?”
• “… lost faith in ...tools because they were never used”
• “... clicked on folders which were in fact empty”
• “Instructors don’t use the tools in the same way”
• “Instructors don’t communicate in Sakai very well”
All three suggested
instructor-led
orientation to how Sakai
would be used
in their course.

7. Applicable Quality Matters Standards
• 1.1 Instructions make clear how to get started and
where to find various course components.
• 1.2 Students are introduced to the purpose and
structure of the course.
• 1.7 The self-introduction by the instructor is
appropriate and available online.
• 1.8 Students are asked to introduce
themselves to the class.

8. Student Orientation to Course
• Consider including:
• How to log into the course
• Online Getting Started guide
• “Walk” through the sequence of
weekly/unit activities
• Point out syllabus, assignments,
resource materials, how to find grades,
where to turn in assignments, etc.
• Address technology issues early-on
• create low risk assignments using these tools
• Where to get help (crowd-sourced discussion topic)
• What activities are most efficient in face-to face
environment?
• What parts can be accomplished effectively online?

9. Instructor and Student Introductions
• What is the goal for the introductions?
• Why will participants be working
together?
• Are there different pathways to the
same goal?
• Can pathways include elements
related to course material?
• What instructions will be provided?
• If online, then how are introductions blended and
transitioned with face-to-face?
Image from: http://designerlessons.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/success-kid-first-day-of-school.jpg

10. Course Homepage
SS

11. Course Homepage
• Purpose
• Landing page
• Functions as road map
• Directions, first steps
• Syllabus
• Textbook
• Announcements
• Navigation

12. Course Homepage
• Purpose
• Landing page
• Functions as road map
• Directions, first steps
• Syllabus
• Textbook
• Announcements
• Navigation
• Student perspective
• First impression
• Is this class hard?
• Is this instructor hard?
• Do I really need to buy a textbook?

13. Course Homepage Components
• Ideal course homepage
• Who (instructor)
• What (course)
• When (dates)
• Where (locations)
• Why (learning outcomes, objectives)
• How (steps)
• ...and Creative (personal)

14. Course Homepage Components
Who, What Example:
Hi!
My name is Steve Sosa and I will be your
fearless leader this semester. I’ve been at PLU
for 23 years now and...
Purpose of This Course
EDU 395 - Educational Technology exists to
combine sound teaching principles with appropriate
tools. Through this course, we will build...
The course is broken up into three sections...

15. Course Homepage Components
When, Where, How Example:
Let’s Get Started!
Our first class is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2. Before that
time, please complete the following:
1. Click on the “Start Here” link in the top-left navigation menu.
2. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with learning
outcomes, policies, and required material (such as textbook,
software, and computer access).
3. Post a personal introduction via the Week 1 forum, that
covers:
i. Name, degree and personal interest in this subject

16. Example as Welcome Message
Hi!
My name is Steve Sosa and I will be your fearless leader this semester. I’ve
been at PLU for 23 years now and...
Purpose of This Course
EDU 395 - Educational Technology exists to combine sound teaching principles
with appropriate tools. Through this course, we will build...
The course is broken up into three sections...
Let’s Get Started!
Our first class is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2. Before that time,
please do the following:
1. Click on the “Start Here” link in the top-left navigation menu.
2. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with learning outcomes, policies, and
required material (such as textbook, software, and computer access).
3. Post a personal introduction via the Week 1 forum, that covers:
a. Name, degree and personal interest in this subject

17. Quality Matters Overview & Introduction
Hi!
My name is Steve Sosa and I will be your fearless leader this semester. I’ve
been at PLU for 23 years now and...
Purpose of This Course
EDU 395 - Educational Technology exists to combine sound teaching principles
with appropriate tools. Through this course, we will build...
The course is broken up into three sections...
Let’s Get Started!
Our first class is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 2. Before that time,
please do the following:
1. Click on the “Start Here” link in the top-left navigation menu.
2. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with learning outcomes, policies, and
required material (such as textbook, software, and computer access).
3. Post a personal introduction via the Week 1 forum, that covers:
a. Name, degree and personal interest in this subject
1.1
1.2
1.3, 1.4
1.7
1.8

18. Just a Single Announcement..?
• Form is not important
• Could be:
• Site info, announcement, discussion forum, video
• Focus should be QM standards 1.1-1.8
• Let Instructional Technologies focus on LMS
• Quick starts
• Videos

19. Student Orientation to Lessons
LN

20. Lesson Page Orientation & Organization
• Introduction to topic
• How to prepare for class
• Instructions for week
• reading
• assignments
• discussions
• quizzes
• deadlines
• Embedded multimedia
• Supplemental reading

21. Exemplar

22. External Resources
SS

23. External Resources
Covered in other PLUTO sessions:
• External resources
• Student services
• Technical assistance
Bad Example:
• PLU Help Desk
Better Example:
• The Help Desk at PLU provides support for Google
Apps, Sakai, Microsoft Office, and basic computer
operation.

24. External Resources
QM Learner Support & Accessibility Standards
• 7.1 Technical support offered
• 7.2 Link to accessibility services
• 7.3 Academic support services
• 7.4 Student support services
• 8.1 Technology accommodation

25. External Resources
New!
• Link to Student Support Resource Map (via Sakai)

26. Activity:
QM Homepage Challenge
10 Minutes
SS

27. QM Homepage Challenge
• Task
• Design course homepage which meets as many QM standards
as possible
• Teams
• Sorted by table
• Tools
• QM Standards
• Sticky posters
• Post-its
• Sharpies
• Timing
• Creating = 5 Min
• Reporting = 5 Min

28. Thanks, Dana Z.!

29. Next Steps
LN

30. Next Steps
• Prepare for tomorrow’s session
• Lesson page mockup
• Bring documents
for unit you’ve
created so far