» NOVEMBER 2017 »
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Making the News
UW-Stout's online programming has made the campus news twice in recent weeks:
Danae Cowell, Accessibility Pilot Coordinator
Danae Cowell
Spotlight Feature

 Accessibility Audit Pilot

Danae Cowell, Coordinator
What is the purpose of the accessibility audit pilot?
The pilot was begun in August 2016, with the sole purpose of making course content and web content within online courses accessible for students with disabilities.
The pilot’s scope has since grown to include new accessibility initiatives beyond course development, including, but not limited to, Graduate School/Stout Online (GSSO) staff and campus accessibility training sessions; campus collaborations on accessibility; universal design for learning activities; and, counter-narrative research on students with disabilities.
How does this project serve our online students?
The pilot provides our students with accessible course and web content in their online courses. The content is tested prior to the start of the course against the common assistive technologies found at Stout to ensure it is accessible with most variations of the technologies.
How does it serve our online instructors?
Having a course accessibility service on campus for our online instructors eliminates the need for them to learn the accessibility laws and procedures on their own. Instead, they can create accessible online course content in partnership with the GSSO’s instructional design team.
In the future, we will offer accessibility training as professional development, so online instructors can add this information, knowledge and skills to their online teaching toolboxes.
Is there an advisory group and, if so, who serves on it?
Yes, an accessibility audit pilot advisory board was established this year, overseen by Jamison Patrick, GSSO senior instructional designer. It is comprised of a representative from Disability Services, Instructional Resources Service, Learning Technology Services, Nakatani Teaching and Learning Center, University Library and University Marketing, as well as Dr. Bethanne Shriner, program director for the BS in Human Development and Family Studies online program; Joan Vandervelde, course vendor for UW-Stout’s School of Education; alumna Laurisa Titterud, Kraus-Anderson Construction; and Dr. Justin Small, St. Catherine University.
Lastly, we are currently working to recruit a UW-Stout student to fill our open student advisor role.
Helpful Tips, Strategies and Methods to Becoming a Successful Online Student
This is the fourth in a series of five mini-articles to help you succeed.
Connect with Other Online Students
Connecting and interacting with classmates — and instructors — is as easy as reading and responding to their posts and participating in discussions.
  • Learning happens as we provide our own insights and listen to the insights of others.
  • Introduce yourself in a post  the first step in making connections.
  • Interact with your fellow students connect with those who have similar interests or study habits.
  • Take advantage of online tools and applications.
  • Work on group projects in SharePoint or Google Docs.
  • Set up Facebook groups based on class, program and/or cohort membership.
Jamison Patrick, Stout Online instructional designer

Instructional Designer eTips 


Jamison Patrick, Stout Online's senior instructional designer, and his ID team members offer helpful tips for online instructors.
 
10 Helpful Suggestions for Wrapping Up Your Fall 2017 Online Course
  1. Do not assign any new activities that are not already listed in the syllabus.
  2. Spend the last third of the course catching up with grading, feedback and “other,” in preparation for closing out the course on time.
  3. Give the class a heads-up that the course is ending at least 7 days in advance of the official end date.
  4. Allow students a chance to “wrap up” in the final week of class.
  5. Remind students 3 to 4 days in advance of the class’ end:
    -- When all activities are due.
    -- When and where they will find their grades/feedback.
    -- On what approximate day their grade will be available on their unofficial transcript for those who want to know their final grade and/or for those who need reimbursement documentation for participation in professional development, etc.
  6. Request that all students complete the course evaluation survey to further enhance the class for future participants.
  7. Assist individuals in the self-curation of the course materials (e.g., instructor and student) as much as possible.
  8. Help guide students in the completion or assembly of an electronic portfolio of class artifacts.
  9. Encourage the class’ peer learners to establish post-course networks.
  10. Make sure to say “Good bye!” and to provide your contact information from the syllabus for professional follow-up, etc. 
In This Issue 
Making the News
Spotlight Feature
Helpful Tips for Online Students
Instructional Designer eTips
ID Team Activities During NDLW
CI Scholarship Recipients
Spring and Summer 2017 Graduates
Important Dates
ID Team Activities During NDLW
You are cordially invited to celebrate National Distance Learning Week with the Graduate School & Stout Online instructional design team.
Friday, November 10
11:15 am to 4:00 pm
Join us at any of these sessions:
  • Online Colleague Lunch
  • Five Students I'll Meet in Heaven
  • Games and Gamification
  • Common Assistive Technologies
CI Scholarship graphic
CI Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the 9 customized instruction students who received this year's scholarship awards.
(PDF)
Graduate mortar board.
Spring and Summer 2017 Graduates
Congratulations to the 282 students who graduated this spring and summer from 25 customized instruction programs. (PDF)
Four of these programs graduated their first graduates since offering an online option.
Magna Commons resources for instructors and staff
Dates to Remember
11/23/17 Thanksgiving
12/15/17 Fall courses end
12/16/17 Commencement
12/18/17 Evaluation week begins
12/22/17 Evaluation week ends
1/2/18 Winterm classes begin
1/22/18 Spring classes begin
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