The number of blended and fully online courses is increasing every year here at Shawnee State University. Currently more than 80 courses are offered in a blended or fully online format.
These courses are found in every department throughout the university. The courses are offered through Blackboard, the primary learning management system for SSU.
Departmental Guide for Distance Learning Courses
This Departmental Guide for Distance Learning Courses (PDF) provides information on blended and online course development as well as a containing a copy of the adapted QM Rubric and a Syllabus Template.
Course Approval Process
Information on the course approval process for newly developed courses (hybrid/blended or online) may be found in this document:
Distance Learning Committee
The Distance Learning Committee meets the third Monday of each month from 4-5 pm.
The Distance Learning Committee is comprised of representatives from departments in the university. Membership on the committee is for two years. The committee meets on a regular basis throughout the academic year.
Tasks include but are not limited to reviewing the Departmental Guide for Distance Learning Courses to insure its contents support current research and trends in the area of Distance Learning, relaying communications directly to their respective departments about Distance Learning and assisting in maintaining up-to-date information on blended and online courses at SSU.
Distance Learning Committee Members
- Chris Meade, Director (Natural Sciences)
- Alice Stephens (Allied Health)
- Sheena Shifko, Secretary (Allied Health)
- Amr Al-Azm (Social Sciences)
- April Barnette (Rehabilitation and Sports Profs)
- Chuck Davis (Fine, Digital, & Performing Arts)
- David DeSario (Mathematics)
- Jim Hudson (Engineering and Technologies)
- Dovel Myers (Business)
- Barbra Conn (Nursing)
- Cynthia Hermanson (University College)
- Debra Knutson (English and Humanities)
Distance Learning Resources
Instructor Training
If you are going to be designing an online course or teaching an online course for the first time, you are required to participate in training for either course design or course delivery. If you have already participated in training through an organization such as Quality Matters or Online Learning Consortium, this will qualify for your training. If you have not had any training, or wish to brush-up, you can take a free, self-paced online course. The courses are free of charge.
Planning to Offer a "First Time" blended/hybrid or online course at SSU?
If you are currently in the planning stages for offering a course in a blended/hybrid or fully online format, please feel free to contact the Director of Distance Learning, Chris Meade cmeade@shawnee.edu, with any questions you may have.
We have resources available in addition to Blackboard, which you may wish to explore.
Also, it is suggested that you consult the Departmental Guide to Distance Learning Courses (PDF). The guidelines, course template, and information for inclusion in your syllabus will prove helpful as you embark on this process.