Planning for E-Course Success

This paper presents a unique method of planning and designing a Web site for e-learning. The following phases are discussed: troubleshooting the project; initial overview of the entire project; dividing the project into small portions and assigning people to each of these portions; periodic studies of the entire project in light of the development of each small portion and how the entire project is fitting together; periodic beta testing by students; the first launching of the project; and assessment of the project. One of the unusual aspects of this planning is troubleshooting using a strategic planning process. Strategic planning is presented in some detail to allow others to use this process in their planning processes. Learning styles are used to determine the course elements for the Web site, and Newton's second law is used as a basis for the distribution of assignments to various team members for the development of the Web site. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Planning for E-Course Success Leon L. Combs, Ph.D. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA, 30144 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) aThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Abstract This presentation will present a rather unique method of planning and designing a web site for e-learning. The following phases will be discussed: trouble shooting the project, initial overview of entire project, dividing the project into small portions and assigning people to each of these portions, periodic studies of the entire project in light of the development of each small portion and how the entire project is fitting together, periodic beta testing by students, the first launching of the project, and assessment of the project. One of the unusual aspects of this planning is trouble-shooting using a strategic planning process. Strategic planning is presented in some detail to allow others to use this process in their planning processes. Learning styles are used to determine the course elements for the web site, and Newton's second law is used as a basis for the distribution of assignments to various team members for the development of the web site.This presentation will present a rather unique method of planning and designing a web site for e-learning. The following phases will be discussed: trouble shooting the project, initial overview of entire project, dividing the project into small portions and assigning people to each of these portions, periodic studies of the entire project in light of the development of each small portion and how the entire project is fitting together, periodic beta testing by students, the first launching of the project, and assessment of the project. One of the unusual aspects of this planning is trouble-shooting using a strategic planning process. Strategic planning is presented in some detail to allow others to use this process in their planning processes. Learning styles are used to determine the course elements for the web site, and Newton's second law is used as a basis for the distribution of assignments to various team members for the development of the web site. We start with a basic law of physics, Newton's Second Law: F = ma. In this equation F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. Solving this equation for the acceleration we have a = F/m and we see that for the same amount of force, the smaller the mass the greater the acceleration. Applying this equation to web-site design and development, we have the important principle that to achieve the maximum acceleration of development we need to have the mass at any given time as small as possible. Recognizing the mass as the amount of material on which we are working and the force as our efforts, I think that everyone now quickly recognizes the principle. If we have everyone working on many aspects of the site, the site development will not be achieved at maximum acceleration. We must have the individual team members working on a series of small contributions. However we have to plan initially so that everyone is working on the appropriate assignments in the appropriate order. Therefore planning must be done initially on the project as a whole. After the initial planning, the team needs to have most people concentrating on small portions of the project with periodic reviews of progress as well as periodic reviews of the appropriateness of each component in light of the entire project. Of course if the team consists of one person, the person must divide his/her time wisely so that he/she concentrates on just small portions at a time. Regardless of the team size, the project must consist of the following phases: trouble shooting the project, initial overview of entire project, dividing the project into small portions and assigning people to each of these portions, periodic studies of the entire project in light of the development of each small portion and how the entire project is fitting together, periodic beta testing by students, the first launching of the project, and assessment of the project.