Teaching an Online Class – Challenges

By

Syed W. Haider, Ph.D., P.E.

Assistant Professor

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Tel: (517) 353-9782; email:

And

Kristy Kellom

AutoCAD Instructor

School of Planning, Design & Construction

Tel: (517) 353-5232; Email:

ABSTRACT

In the age of rapid developing communication technologies, online teaching and learning has become a common practice in several institutions of higher learning. In fall 2012, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) proposed to develop an online version of CE 272 (Civil and Environmental Engineering Analysis) for summer 2013 based on several considerations including: (a) content-oriented nature of the course, (b) potential for helping to reduce time to graduation (by providing an additional offering of the course), (c) revenue generation potential, (d) prospects for promoting technology-mediated instruction, and (e) compatibility with the “flipped classroom” model. The department offered the first online version of the course in the summer of 2013. The seminar discusses the various challenges related to the (a) developing the course materials, especially those related to the technology needs, (b) assessing the students, and (c) availability of resources to the faculty on campus at Michigan State University. In addition, the avenues of futures improvement will be discussed.

Instructor Bios

Syed Haider

Dr. Syed Haider is an Assistant Professor in the CEE department. Dr. Haider possesses over twenty years of diversified research, teaching and professional experience in various civil engineering disciplines. His research contribution includes statistical and probabilistic modeling, mechanistic empirical pavement analysis & design, and virgin and recycled material characterization. Teaching experience encompasses several undergraduate and graduate level courses —surveying, pavement rehabilitation, engineering materials, pavement analysis and design and reliability-based designs. Dr. Haider is also a registered professional engineer in the state of Michigan.

Kristy Kellom

Kristy Kellom is an AutoCAD Certified Associate. Her background is in interior design and she has been teaching AutoCAD and other digital design courses face-to-face and online at MSU since 2004. Ask her about Autodesk certification opportunities!

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