“Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

[QM Rubric Standard: #5.2 ]

The Default Distance Course-o-Matic

The stereo-typical distance course o-matic "activities" for far too many distance courses in existence today is:

"1-Read; 2-Take Test; 3-Post Discussion; 4-Reply to two classmates"
...Rinse and repeat ... and repeat...Annnnd.... repeat for 16 weeks! (*yawn*)

For the 2%-ers of actual independent learners, this might be ok (?)... BUT in a time when we are measured by student success and retaining students is vital in a format which lends itself to students not being engaged and drifting off, we have to push ourselves beyond the default.

Key to Distance Success, Retention & Engagement

The learning Activities in a distance course are the single biggest 'make or break' factor to distinguish a 'meh' passive Distance learning experience from an OUTSTANDING and engaging distance course.

You can record yourself TELLING students why or how relevant and exciting YOU believe the material is.

But no amount of pedantic song and dance is a substitute for designing activities to let the Student EXPERIENCE the real world application and or context of the content for themselves!

As we will look at in a moment, that is where the research points is true power for student engagement and success in our course design.

Active Learning Disclaimers

Three key truths from our school of hard knocks practice and the literature:

Rich "Active Learning" Activities take time
TOP TIP: Design your Rich Active Learning Activities to address MULTIPLE course learning objectives so they can offer as much bang for the buck in terms of time and effort for you and students.
Have *ALL* the logistics nailed down
for as much of a well-marked, smooth "path" for students - Where/ when/ how/ who... leaving students to just 'figure it out' or not having ready answers will torpedo even the most promising active learning activity.
WARNING: Creativity Required
It has been our experience working with NCSC Faculty that this often means that some creativity is needed to make active course activities at a distance. If this is not your forte' or skillset, you can mine colleagues published ideas in subject journals or online repositories. Or contact us in the Ctr. for Teaching Excellence (cte@ncstatecollege.edu) as we have experience and creative backgrounds in this realm to help you brainstorm.

So let's look at the case for it and the details....