Best Practices in Online Delivery of Instruction at FSU

During the 2004 fall semester, several Ferris State University faculty members were invited by the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning (FCTL) to participate in a Best Practices Forum on the design and delivery of online courses. The attendees were selected for their demonstrated experience and success in the use of technology for instruction in an online environment.

The forum was held on October 29th & 30th with the following faculty members in attendance:  Kimn Carlton-Smith, College of Arts & Sciences, Roger Daugherty, College of Allied Health Sciences, Doug Fonner, College of Arts & Sciences, Kim Hancock, College of Pharmacy, Dick Hewer, College of Business, Anne Kelly, FLITE, Warren Klope, College of Technology, Gloria Lukusa, University College, Randy Vance, Michigan College of Optometry. Bill Knapp, FCTL Instructional Technologist, and Randy Vance, E-Learning Consultant for FCTL, served as facilitators.

The goal was to draw on the individual and collective experience of the group to arrive at consensus on “What works best in delivering online learner-centered instruction at Ferris State University?”.

Our objective was to compile a list of recommended practices for online course space design, appropriate use of technologies and digital content development. Discussion centered around identifying effective, practical methods of online delivery which are learner-centered, accessible and reliable. The group used as a guide the Rubric for Online Instruction developed by California State University – Chico.  Rubric Areas:

• Learner Support and Resources

• Online Organization and Design

• Instructional Design and Delivery

• Assessment and Evaluation of Student Learning

• Innovative Teaching with Technology

• Faculty Use of Student Feedback