X. Instructional Technology Support & Distributed Learning
A. Distance Learning
B. Instructional Design and Development
C. Television and Video Production Services
D. Television Engineering
IRM is responsible for university-wide distance learning functions. Faculty members are responsible for program coherence, course content and appropriate pedagogy. Recent advances in information technology have significantly expanded the range of course delivery modes from videotapes to interactive web-based learning tools. Each delivery mode, its associated policies and areas of responsibility are defined separately.
Blackboard is the IRM supported web-base distance learning platform at FAU. Faculty must complete the course space request form, to obtain course space in Blackboard, http://www.fau.edu/irm/blackboard/bb_requests.php . Students will, automatically, be enrolled in web-only and web-assisted courses every day during the drop/add period at the beginning of each semester. Enrollments will be updated twice weekly after drop/add.
Faculty are required to attend Blackboard training either in formal classroom training sessions or in one-on-one sessions with an Instructional Designer before using BlackBoard for the first time. IRM recommends faculty work with ITSS to convert their traditional courses to an electronic format. Resources will be made available as well as the expertise of instructional designers to assist in the design and implementation of on-line courses or programs. Faculty should not be using commercial web sites with advertisements appearing on their course pages.
After faculty training and course development is complete, faculty should upload all of their course material themselves. ITSS will not upload course content to Blackboard for faculty. The purpose of the Blackboard hands-on training workshops (or one-on-one training) is to teach faculty to do manage their online courses independently.
It is the responsibility of each faculty member to backup their courses each time changes are made to the content. Blackboard courses remain on the server for one semester after they have completed. For example, during the spring semester all courses taught during the fall semester will still be available. At the end of each semester all of the previous semester’s courses and grade books are backed up individually and then removed from the Blackboard server.
B. Instructional Design and Development
The Instructional Design and Development group is responsible for assisting faculty and academic units with the design of on-line courses, programs and academic activities on all FAU campuses. Consulting services are available to evaluate course goals, objectives and outcomes together with prescribing instructional design and development strategies. Training workshops and seminars are also conducted to provide the skills necessary for faculty and staff to independently design on-line courses.
C. Television and Video Production Services
IRM maintains staff and facilities to plan, schedule, produce, and distribute professional quality television, video, audio, and distance education products. Florida Atlantic University has six production facilities located on the Boca Raton campus. Complete electronic field production, editing and post-production services are available. Scheduling of all production activities, assignment of teleclassrooms and production personnel, and remote operations are handled by IRM’s Department of Learning Resources, Television and Video Production Services. Fees are applicable to all activities except for credit distance education courses.
All visually recognizable individuals participating in video production must complete and sign a talent release form. This includes faculty, staff, students and guests included in the production. The execution of this form permits the individual to be videotaped, recorded, photographed or digitally recorded and permits future use or duplication of any media produced. A copy of the talent release form is available from the administrative offices of University Learning Resources. All signed and completed copies are kept on file.
IRM TV engineering staff design, operate and maintain broadcast radio frequency, microwave and closed circuit signal distribution systems, video production facilities, studios, and teleclassrooms. Other responsibilities include the development of specifications for multimedia presentation systems within auditoriums and/or classrooms, the maintenance of satellite downlink dishes and uplink equipment, visual arts installations, FCC licenses held by FAU academic or administrative units and the operation of an audiovisual repair facility. Any university owned audiovisual equipment may be sent to this facility for diagnosis and repair. The cost of parts necessary for repair will be charged back to the responsible individual, administrative department or academic unit. There will be no charge for labor. All equipment requiring maintenance or repair must be delivered to TV Engineering in University Learning Resources.
