Dr. Rachel Cassity
Phone: 706-357-0083
Email: rcassity@uga.edu
Office Location: BOA 214
Office Hours: by appointment (in-person or Zoom)
This course is designed for SSW faculty who will be teaching in the online MSW program. The course will 1) introduce faculty to adult learning theories and principles, 2) explain how instructors can integrate adult learning principles with their teaching strategies, and 3) demonstrate how instructors can apply those principles and strategies to online courses. The course is divided into four modules that will span four weeks. Faculty enrolled in the course will adopt the role of a student so that they may experience all of the basic elements of an online course. Participants will be asked to engage in discussion boards, complete quizzes, and submit assignments for each module. Coursework should not exceed two hours per week.
By the conclusion of this course, students are expected to be able to:
This is an asynchronous course, meaning that module material will be available 24 hours per day. Be sure to check due dates and times for assignments.
As an educator, you are an expert in your field. As an online instructor, you will need to take your content knowledge, experiences in the classroom, and teaching strategies, and adapt them to fit the needs of both online learners and, due to the nature of the MSW program, adult learners. As a participant in this course, you are being asked to become the student and work through an online course similar to what your students will experience. Make note of the different challenges and obstacles you might face as an adult, online learner in this course. Consider what helps facilitate your own learning in the class. Then, take the time to reflect on your observations and use that knowledge to inform the way you construct your online classes.
Attendance/Participation: Although this course is online and self-paced, there are expectations for regular attendance and participation in the class. You should log in at least twice per week to engage in the course and complete assignments. Discussion and collaborative inquiry can’t occur if you don’t participate. All of the course modules will open at the beginning of the course so you can work ahead if you prefer. As a class, we will move through the course week by week. Therefore, assignments completed for future modules will not be graded until the entire class has reached the end of that week. Each module will last one week and close at 11:59pm on Sundays.
Reading Assignments: Read the articles provided in each module and seek out additional works that will help guide you as you build your online courses. Read critically. What does the research suggest? Where are the gaps in existing research on adult, online learners? Your reading and analyses of the articles will help you better engage with your classmates and develop more robust discussions.
Discussion Boards: Two vital elements of adult learning are reflection and dialogue. As a learner in this course, you are expected to participate in discussion boards where you can engage in reflection and dialogue. The discussion board questions should serve as prompts for reflection on different topics or ideas covered in the course. Feel free to continue to explore your thoughts, pose questions, and challenge ideas through your interactions with classmates in the discussion boards. Note that Module 3 Discussion Boards will be slightly different than other modules.
Written Assignments: In an effort to minimize the amount of work you have to dedicate to this course (in addition to your work as a faculty member), the written assignments are requests for you to compose brief, yet thoughtful responses. They are designed to help you continually focus on how you can be intentional with your course design. As expected from students in a typical course, the written work for this course should reflect critical thinking and quality writing. Use of APA format is required.
Quizzes: In addition to discussion boards and written assignments, learners in this course will complete quizzes to demonstrate mastery of the content. Much like the other assignments in the course, the quizzes are structured to engage you in critical thinking rather than rote memory.
Collaborative Work: While several of the activities you will complete for this class require you to work independently, collaborative work is also heavily emphasized. As educators, it is important to work with one another to develop effective teaching methods. After all, you are ultimately working toward the same goal—facilitating learning. Talk to one another. Share your thoughts and ideas.
Evaluation: Students and educators can learn from feedback. As educators, we can take the feedback and constructive criticism about course content, teaching methods, and assignments and continue to develop our instructional approaches. This course asks you to engage in self-evaluation (as a learner and an educator), as well as evaluation of the class.
As with any course, professionalism and respect for differences in opinions and ideas are expected in this class. Expression of differences is encouraged; however, it should be “voiced” respectfully. The classroom environment is designed to be informative and professional, yet also supportive and open. It is possible that you will encounter thoughts and opinions that greatly differ from your own. It is encouraged that you use those experiences to broaden your own perspectives and embrace different lenses.
| Assignment | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Know/Want to Know Assignment | 5 |
| Discussion Boards (5 at 5 points each) | 25 |
| Quizzes (3 at 10 points each) | 30 |
| Assignments (4 at 10 points each) | 40 |
| Total Score: | 100 points |
Consult the Course Assignments document in eLC for detailed descriptions of each assignment.
Consult the Course Assignments document in eLC for an outline of assignment due dates.
Your final grade will be based on the following:
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 94-100 |
| A- | 90-93 |
| B+ | 87-89 |
| B | 84-86 |
| B- | 80-83 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
| C | 73-76 |
| C- | 70-72 |
| D | 65-69 |
| F | 64 and below |
| I | Incomplete |
Scores in this class are WEIGHTED at the end of the class. This means that the grade showing in the grade book at any given time WILL LIKELY CHANGE at the end of the semester based on the weighting shown above. Class discussion is graded at the end of the semester; posting of this grade will change, either positively or negatively, each student’s final grade.
Students are encouraged to think of all the assignments and projects as pieces of the whole. Further, students are expected to take proactive steps in searching for samples of appropriate forms at local businesses, through regulatory agencies, or via the Internet. As always, your instructor may be a good source of materials as well.
Students are encouraged to use each other as a resource. The message board is the perfect place to discuss case issues. Keep in mind however, that each student is responsible for solving quizzes, exams, cases, projects, and assignments individually.
Your instructor will be available to provide assistance throughout each week using the message board. An occasional chat room can be arranged at the request of students. For example, if more than one student would like to participate in a live discussion the instructor will arrange a common time to meet online. It is important for students to initiate chat room discussions.
Please note:The course syllabus is a general plan for the course. Changes are at the discretion of the instructor. Any changes made to the syllabus will be announced to the class and a new syllabus will be provided.