SUMMER 2008

EDIT 6170 Instructional Design
Daily, 10:30 am - 12:45 pm, June 5-July 11, 2008
Course Call #: 00-570

This page last updated on May 30, 2008 .

If you decide to register for the course, please email Lloyd Rieber to alert him of your intent. He will create a class email distribution list and will send you an email about one week prior to the first day of the course with important updated notes about getting ready for this course. Included in this email will be your course account information (Lloyd will set up a username and password for you to be activated by the first day of the course).

This course's schedule is designed to give all participants approximately the final two weeks (about June 27-July 11) of the course to work on the course project. The only synchronous online live class meeting (see the notes below to understand what this means) to be held during this time will be on July 11 for the design teams to present their projects. However, the instructor will be available to consult with participants as needed.

Please order/acquire the textbook as soon as possible:

You will need the book starting the very first day of the course:

Dick, W., Carey, L., & Carey, J. O. (2004). The systematic design of instruction (6th ed.). New York: Longman.

You should purchase this book yourself online using Amazon.com, or a similar online bookseller (if you choose to purchase a used book, be sure it is the 6th edition).

Notes from Lloyd on getting ready for this course (first class is on June 5)...

• It is strongly recommended you come to Athens for a face-to-face meeting on the first class on June 5: We will meet at 10:30 am in 618 Aderhold Hall. I will demonstrate the technology that we will be using in the course and provide a good thorough orientation to the course. This ensures that we start off on the right foot. The second class will be a "trial run" of the technology, essentially repeating the information provided during the first class. (Check with Parking Services for advice on where to park -- probably parking in one of the parking decks is best. Click here for other useful visitor information.)
• This course will be offered online. An online class is a very different learning experience from a traditional on-campus class. The flexibility inherent in an online class is balanced by the need for individuals to have a positive attitude toward learning at a distance, coupled with good personal time management skills.
• This course will use both synchronous (same time, any place) and asynchronous (any time, any place) technologies. Because of our use of synchronous technologies, you must be available for each schedule live class (synchronous) which begins promptly at 10:30 am daily (M-F). This means you need to get online and set up no later than 10:15 a.m.
• Required textbook:
  Dick, W., Carey, L., & Carey, J. O. (2004). The systematic design of instruction (6th ed.). New York: Longman.
  • You should purchase this book yourself online using Amazon.com, or a similar online bookseller (if you choose to purchase a used book, be sure it is the 6th edition).
• Required hardware and software: You must have easy access to the following:
  • Windows or Macintosh computer with Internet Explorer, Foxfire, or Macintosh Safari with cookies enabled with the security setting set no higher than "medium high".
  • Access to the Internet with a high speed Internet connection.
  • Microsoft Office (primarily Word and PowerPoint)
  • Computer headset with microphone and earphones (even the cheapest should work, just make sure you buy this from the computer section of a store such as Best Buy, K-Mart, etc.)
  • All-but-required: Inspiration, a tool for brainstorming, organizing, and presenting ideas in a visual format. This tool will be very helpful as you create your required instructional curriculum maps (ICMs). Inspiration costs about $60, and you can get a free trial version that last 30 days.
• Your computer must be compatible to use the "Horizon Wimba virtual classroom" for synchronous live online class meetings: This is one of the main technologies used in the course. It will allow us to meet as a group to discuss the various course topics and participate in other activities. To find out if your computer system is compatible with the Horizon Wimba technology run the following "Setup Wizard" (note: if you are missing a component, this wizard will guide you through the steps in downloading and installing the component; and almost everyone will need to install at least one component enabling two-way audio):

Click here (or anywhere on the graphic) to run the wizard.

If your system does not pass all of the tests conducted by the wizard, you should contact UGA's Student Technology Support (STS) for assistance. They provide special support to students enrolled in classes that use the Horizon Wimba classroom. Students may get assistance by e-mailing hlive@uga.edu or calling STS at 706-542-3333. (If you are unable to resolve the technical problems, you will need to wait and take the on-campus version of this course.)

• Skills you must already have:
  1. Ability to send and receive e-mail (with attachments)
  2. Able to use an Internet Browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape)
  3. Proficiency with Microsoft Word (and at least some familiarity with PowerPoint)
  4. Ability to change basic system configurations and control panels (such as adjusting audio and screen size)
  5. Ability to download and install software components from the Internet as needed (i.e. browser plug-ins such as for Flash)
  6. Ability to troubleshoot basic computer problems (especially those common with Internet connections)
  7. Ability to work independently.

     If you do not already have all of these skills, it is recommended that you wait to take the on-campus face-to-face version of this course.

• Attitude you need to have and maintain : 1) positive; 2) not willing to give up at the first sign of trouble; 3) sees this course as a unique opportunity to learn about distance learning by experiencing it; 4) able to keep in check the inevitable frustrations that are bound to crop up in an innovative course like this. If you do not have this attitude or do not think you can maintain it when the "going gets a little rough", it is recommended that you take the on-campus face-to-face version of this course.
• The Add/Drop period at UGA goes from June 5-9.
• If you have questions about this course, please do not hesitate to contact me at UGA via email (lrieber@uga.edu) or telephone (706-542-3986).