The definitions appearing in this section are intended to help the
reader understand the meaning of terms used in the main part of the
document. Readers should understand that in the rapidly-changing educational
technology environment, these terms do not have standard meanings and
are used in many ways by scholars in the field. Our definitions apply
only to this document.
Technology-enhanced: Any course using advanced educational
technologies to deliver course material, either partially or in full.
Mode of delivery: Refers to both the type of technology used
to enhance a class, and the degree of technological enhancement.
Distance Learning classes: Courses in which faculty and students
infrequently or never meet face-to-face. Distance Learning classes may
be conducted using the Internet, other technologies, or via the U.S.
Mail.
Web-based classes: Distance courses where course content and
material is available over the World Wide Web.
ITV classes: Courses in which students and faculty meet in
an interactive television classroom, and interact with other students
or faculty at a remote location.
Traditional classes: Courses in which faculty and students
meet face to face regularly.
Web-enhanced classes: Courses that generally meet in a traditional
setting, but in which a substantial portion of the class material (e.g.
syllabus, readings, assessments, student interaction) is available via
the World Wide Web.
Other technology-enhanced classes: Classes that make substantial
use of other, non-networked or LAN-based software or technologies. This
might include electronic resources packaged with a textbook on a CD,
discipline-specific software such as statistical analysis software,
simulations, etc.
Courseware: Centrally administered software used to create
“shells” for web-based or web-enhanced courses. Products
used to date at FDU include eCollege, Web Course in a Box (WCB), Instructional
Systems, and Blackboard. At the writing of this document the Office
of Educational Technology only supports new courses created with Blackboard,
but individuals or departments are free to make other choices as long
as they abide by the policies presented here.
Course developer: A person designing electronic or other resources
to be used for a course.
Course instructor: A person with responsibility for instructing,
grading, and managing a class.
Course material: Material created for ordinary teaching use
in a technology-enhanced class, such as syllabi, assignments, assessments,
and tests. The term “course material” applies only to the
intellectual content of a course; it does not include site-licensed
software used to display the course materials, nor does it include storage
space on servers owned or leased by the University.
Course owner: The person or persons who retain the copyright
for course material.
Compensation to course developers employed by FDU: In some
rare cases financial or other compensation above and beyond regular
salary may be made available. This compensation will usually be in the
form of a stipend, course release time, or a grant.
Compensating in-house course developers for their time impacts several
policies described below. Most importantly, compensation affects the
intellectual property rights of the University and the course developer.
Stipend: A one-time payment to a faculty member or other individual
who is developing course materials. Stipends are typically paid at the
successful completion of a project.
Course release time: A reduction in the standard course load
expected of the instructor.
University Grant: Although this method of compensation has
not been used in the past, it is possible in the future that the University
might provide grants to faculty to enable them to develop course materials.
Such grants would be provided prior to course development, and the money
used to provide resources to assist in course development.
Grant from an outside agency: Several Federal agencies and
private foundations provide grants for developing course materials.
A grant obtained with the involvement of the University’s grants
office will be considered compensation under a University Grant.
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