Beginner's Corner | Teaching Tools | Accessibility | Theory and Pedagogy
Quality in Distance Education | Evaluation in Distance Education

The links above provide a comprehensive resource for faculty and staff pursuing any form of distributed learning.

How do I get started?
Technology can be integrated into your classroom at varying levels. Some faculty members begin by using their e-mail accounts and posting syllabi on a web site. More advanced faculty members place course materials on a web site or teach an entire course via the web. Each faculty member chooses the amount of technology integration appropriate for his our her courses.

SDSU Instructional Technology Services - Instructional Technology Services (ITS) provides training to faculty on university licensed course development and management software. ITS also provides assistance to faculty on instructional design, choice of technology, and development of multimedia course elements using a variety of software.

SDSU Distance Education Course Proposal Form - If you are planning to offer a distance course and San Diego State University, complete the Distance Education Course Proposal Form and additional documents as outlined in the form. This page has links to the documents you will need to complete.

Beginner's Corner
View university policy on distance education, learn from colleagues experienced in distance education delivery methods, peruse a beginner's booklist, use web tutorials for beginners, read information from a survey of distance educators, read suggestions for converting a traditional to distance education.

1. Read the SDSU Senate's Policy on Distance Education
   
   
2. SDSU Curriculum Committee Checklist for Developing Distance Learning Courses
   
   
3. Read Use of Copyrighted Works at SDSU - A summary of SDSU Copyright policy, including information regarding the TEACH Act.
   
   
4. Learn from SDSU faculty Profiles and other Distance Educators.
   
   
5. Survey of Distance Learning Instructors - National Education Association (NEA) poll of over 400 instructors who teach distance learning courses. (pdf file)
   
   
6. Turning Traditional Courses Into Distance Education Article describing value of collaborating with instructional designers to bring electronic content to the Web.
   
   
7. The Distance Learner's Guide - This one-stop reference provides everything the distance learner or prospective distance learner needs to be effective in the on-line learning environment. From defining distance learning to overcoming personal barriers to success in distance learning, this book deals with each and every issue students of any age, stage or situation are likely to encounter. Ideal for students and a great reference for instructors.
   
   
8. The Future of Online Learning - An article by Stephen Downes that discusses how quickly online learning will change and what educators can expect in the future.
   

Accessibility Considerations for Distance Education
The following links provide an overview to accessibility issues in distance education. Each site provides further links to widen your knowledge on this important issue.

Theory and Pedagogy Implications for Distance Education
The links below will get you started in designing courses for distributed learning.

1. Integrating Instructional Design in Distance Education - Examples are provided for the application of instructional tactics in various delivery systems (e.g., web-based courses, audio-conferencing, video-conferencing, computer-mediated conferencing, etc.).
   
   
2. Explorations in Learning & Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database. The database contains brief summaries of 50 major theories of learning and instruction. These theories can also be accessed by learning domains and concepts.
   
   
3. Pedagogical Resources This collection of pedagogical links is just a sampling of the available resources on the topic of pedagogy and networked instructional technology.
   
   
4. Mentoring at a Distance - Article describing a four- phase process of online mentoring. Also poses related questions for reflection, and offers success strategies to enhance distance mentoring relationships
   
   

Quality in Distance Education
The links below address quality issues in distance education.

1. Report of the University of Illinois Teaching at an Internet Distance Seminar December, 1999 - Report on the pedagogy of online learning, effective teaching in the classroom and online, and suggestions for quality online teaching and learning. Can be viewed online or downloaded in a pdf file.
   
   
2. "Quality On the Line" (pdf file) A list of 24 benchmarks that are essential to ensure quality in Internet-based distance education.Ê These benchmarks may assist policymakers, faculty, students, and others in making reasonable and informed judgments with regard to the quality of Internet-based distance education.
   
   
3. Balancing Quality and Access Principles of Good Practice for Electronically Offered Academic Degree and Certificate Programs.
   

1. Web-based Assessment Excellent list of links to online testing methods in web based courses.
   
   
2. Quizzes and Tests Links to several quiz/test generators on the market or available through shareware.
   
   
3. Criteria for Evaluating School-Based Distance Education Programs - A principal of a small Illinois high school discusses the task of determining the impact and utility of school-based distance learning technologies.

If you have suggestions about information you would like to see on this web site, please e-mail Distance Learning .