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Online course design program teaches skills by Heather Murphy Public Relations With the end of the semester only clicks away, faculty participants in  “Fundamentals of Online Course Design” gathered Dec. 10 to demonstrate their newly acquired web-programming knowledge. The course, initiated by Valerie West, Ed.D., and supported by Frank Starmer, Ph.D., of the provost’s office, gives faculty the freedom to create sites that students can access whenever they want to.  “The participants involved in the course enjoy it so much because they learn to not depend on anyone else to create online instructional programs,” said Mary Mauldin, a program instructor. “It gives them the opportunity to learn and practice various roles as an instructor and move from just a source of information to a facilitator of it.” Despite a few kinks here and there, Mauldin and the other instructors are pleased with the course and its results. “The word has begun to spread. One of the motivating factors is the access to the laptops and software,” Mauldin said. “The participants are given the computers and the software with the understanding that they’ll create an online instructional program.” “This was the first time at MUSC that a course was run using a wireless system,” said Thierry Bacro, Ph.D., a course instructor. “Although not perfect yet, this approach is very promising and the ITlab is currently working on it so it will be available campuswide.” Upon completion of the semester, the participants of the three-hour weekly course will have access to a support network consisting of last year’s faculty participants and the instructors. The group will meet the first Friday of every month at noon to discuss issues or problems with individual programs. “I’m a fairly new faculty member at the College of Nursing and have no previous experience with web learning,” said Teresa Kelechi, Ph.D., professor of nursing. “I needed to acquire skills that would enable me to offer a course online. The instructors and the TAs developed an excellent platform for learning the essential components of using WebCT and Dreamweaver software. The ‘hands-on’ approach was invaluable.” Kelechi plans to use her new skills to offer a web-enhanced undergraduate research course in spring 2003. Tim Fitzharris, Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy, described an interest in WebCT and testing methodology. “The boards Part I are administered by computer and I feel it’s important to expose our students to this format as early and as often as feasible,” he said. “I wanted to have complete control over the entire process without involving a systems operator for a server. WebCT provides those features.” According to Mauldin, the course enables faculty to examine what content and methods will work, as well as what won’t. The goal is simple: to provide effective learning environments. “I’m co-director of the MS-3 ob-gyn clerkship and we’re always looking for ways to improve the students’ experience,” said Jill Mauldin, M.D. “With faculty having less time with students and when particular patient cases are not available, the students need to be exposed to patient scenarios they may not encounter in an eight week rotation. The course introduces media that allows medical students to interact directly with our department when they’re not physically available. The created program will be a portable notebook available from any MUSC computer system.” Currently, 26 faculty members participate in the course. “We understand the enormous commitment it takes to participate in this course and we appreciate it,” Mauldin said. “I admire them for doing it. They have classes to teach, clinics to go to, and not to mention a personal life. Somehow they still manage to go to a three hour class and complete assignments.” Fundamentals of Online Course Design program participants Instructors: Thierry Bacro, Rich Hernandez, and Mary Mauldin.  Teaching assistants: Sarah Sprunger, Heather Trantham-Davidson, Buck Buchannan and Joseph Lewis.  Participants: Jeff Ascell, Elaine Amella, Julia Ball, Mark Barry, Peter Bowman, Sandra Brown, Joli Fermo, Tim Fitzharris, Laurel Hays, Jeanne Hill, Ann Hollerbach, Teresa Kelechi, Janice Key, Raymond Lanphere, Marc LaPointe, Jill Mauldin, Jennifer Mazur, Carol McDougall, Donald Miller, Judson Miller, Michele Norman, Elizabeth Ricciardone, Peggy Spain, Sandy Spence, and John Welton     Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.