Key Terminology
A traditional on-campus course that includes a Blackboard shell for support materials, testing, and web conferencing tools. These shells are not Beta Tested. The instructor is responsible for notifying students that the shell is available in Blackboard and providing the login instructions. These courses are offered with the On Campus Face to Face mode of instruction. Courses offered with the Hybrid/Blended mode of instruction must follow the Registrar's Office Mode of Instruction definitions.
An institutional review designed to check your course before releasing it to the general public. It evaluates the effectiveness of your course design based on best practices, usability of the course structure, and compliance with state and University policy and the Americans with Disability Act.
A space in Blackboard that houses online curriculum. Course shells can be used to store course documents, enable online discussions, deliver online tests and assignments, etc.
A space in Blackboard that houses fully Beta Tested and department approved online asynchronous courses. Course storage shells are used each semester to create online course sections, therefore it is imperative that they are kept current.
The Office of Instructional Technology (OIT) consists of two positions, which include an Instructional Designer and a Media Support and Instructional Designer. The office is responsible for coordinating faculty training, assisting faculty with course creation, and providing support during the academic year. Both positions report to the Director of the Center for Extended Learning.
This committee was created to provide guidance and strategic planning input regarding online to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Membership information is available on the Online Studies Committee web page.
A course offered entirely through the Internet, so students worldwide have access. There are no scheduled meeting days and times and this course is typically referred to as an “online” course. Students complete their course work at any time, meeting any due dates set by the instructor. Synchronous meetings must be optional for students and arranged to accommodate all students’ schedules or alternative options offered. Students will be automatically uploaded into the course shell and MSU Online will send access instructions to students. New courses are required to complete the Online Course Development process. Courses will also be required to go through a Periodic Review process every five years.
A course offered entirely through the Internet, so students worldwide have access. Online Synchronous courses have a scheduled day and time when students must login to attend live classroom sessions. Students must have high speed Internet access, a headset with microphone, and a webcam (if required by the instructor). Online Synchronous courses have a Mode of Instruction of Online Synchronous and a Location of Web Based in Campus Connection.
Modes of Instruction Definitions
Online Synchronous courses can be offered in the following ways:
- Example 1:
- All students attend class via a web conferencing tool (i.e. Blackboard Collaborate, Teams, or Zoom) at the days and times listed in Campus Connection. The instructor typically uses his/her office computer or a personal computer to log in and teach class. In this example, there is not an on-campus section but all students enroll into an Online Synchronous section in Campus Connection. Students will be automatically uploaded into the course shell and MSU Online will send access instructions to students.
- Example 2:
- The instructor holds class on-campus and connects to distance education students using web conferencing tools (i.e. Blackboard Collaborate, Teams, or Zoom). Distance and campus students are taught at the same time and on the same days typically in a specially equipped classroom.
- Students who attend on-campus will enroll in a On Campus Face to Face section in Campus Connection
- Students who attend at a distance will enroll in an Online Synchronous section in Campus Connection
- Coming Soon! Instruction to request merging courses
- The instructor holds class on-campus and connects to distance education students using web conferencing tools (i.e. Blackboard Collaborate, Teams, or Zoom). Distance and campus students are taught at the same time and on the same days typically in a specially equipped classroom.
