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ONCOURSE CL: FLEXIBLE TRAINING OPTIONS

One size does not fit all! CETL realizes that busy schedules and learning styles require the availability of many different training options. That's why we've have three different ways that you can gain the skills necessary to be successful in Oncourse:

1. Hands-On Workshops: CETL will begin holding two workshops this fall that you can register for on our Workshops & Events page.
2. One-on-One: Faculty members may arrange a one-on-one consultation with Jodie Reminder, CETL's Instructional Technology Specialist, and she will help instructors become familiar with Oncourse.
3. Self-Study: If you prefer to work on your own, CETL has compiled a list below of several helpful documents for reference and self-study.

How does the observance of Daylight Savings Time in Bloomington affect Oncourse?

Since Oncourse is hosted on the Bloomington campus, the times set within Oncourse reflect Bloomington time. All times set in Oncourse will be an hour later than Gary time (just as they have been over the course of the last semester).

For example, if you do not want to accept a homework assignment past 3:00 pm CST (Gary time), you will need to set it for 4:00 pm EST (Bloomington time) in Oncourse. Likewise, if you want a testing period to be from 8:00 am CST to 5:00 pm CST (Gary time), you will need to set it for 7:00 am EST to 4:00 pm EST (Bloomington time) in Oncourse.

In addition, instructors should alert students so that it is known that the displayed time is Bloomington time (in other words, an assignment may be listed as due at 6:00 pm in Oncourse, but this is really 5:00 pm CST).

Do I have to use Oncourse CL?

No, faculty have the option of using original Oncourse until the end of the summer semester 2007. This extension responds to faculty concerns that more time is needed to migrate teaching materials and to become familiar with Oncourse CL's capabilities.

How do I opt out of using Oncourse CL?

All courses start out in Oncourse CL, but instructors may choose to move one or more of their classes back into the original Oncourse. This needs to be done each semester the instructor decides to opt out. If you decide to use the original Oncourse, see the Knowledge Base document: How can I opt out of using Oncourse CL and use original Oncourse instead?

Which Oncourse should I use?

Many instructors have a difficult time deciding which Oncourse to use. There is no right or wrong answer when choosing, but there are a couple of factors that should be consider prior to making your decision.

1. Function: The first question for every instructor is, "What tools are needed for your course to function in Oncourse?" If you are using Oncourse to post your syllabus, display announcements, and provide resources and links to students, then you will probably be fine using Oncourse CL. If your class revolves around heavy use of the Tests & Surveys tools or needs the ability to combine sections, you will probably be more comfortable staying with the original Oncourse for the next semester.
2. Flexibility: Along the same lines of the previous question, the next thing to ask is, "How flexible will my course function in the presence of possible program bugs?" There are a lot of changes scheduled to take place at the beginning of the semester that will improve the functionality of Oncourse CL. These improvements may or may not have program bugs that could impact your class. If you are willing to be more flexible and understanding in the face of these possible bugs, you may want to try the new Oncourse CL in one of your courses. It is these flexible individuals who will be able to provide valuable feedback to improve Oncourse CL.

More Information About Oncourse

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning provides instructional support to faculty using Oncourse in their teaching. If you have questions about how to effectively integrate technology, including Oncourse, into your teaching, or if you are teaching an online course, please feel free to contact CETL for assistance.

For more technical-related assistance, the resources listed below are helpful in familiarizing faculty with the Oncourse environment and addressing some commonly asked questions. You can also call the IT Help Desk at (219) 981-4357 or receive 24/7 support by calling 812-855-6789 (IUB Help Desk) or 317-274-4357 (IUPUI Help Desk).

• Knowledge Base...a very comprehensive and easy-to-search database to answer all your technology-related questions. Just type in a keyword or two (be sure to include 'Oncourse' for Oncourse-related questions) related to your question and get your answer! You may want to share this site with your students as well.

• Oncourse CL Online Help...a web site providing information and assistance about each area in Oncourse. Also contains animated tutorials for many common tasks within Oncourse.

• Getting Started with Oncourse...a web site that explains what Oncourse is, the features of the system, how to access it, and how to get assistance. You can also download a printable version of the Getting Started Faculty Guide.

• Oncourse Instructor Resources...a web site with Oncourse support information for faculty.