Why is distance education important to UNL?
I would like to teach online. How do I get involved?
What support services are available to faculty?
How long does it take to develop a distance education course?
How many students will be in my online courses?
How do I arrange for an exam to be proctored?
I want my students to complete research assignments. Do distance students have access to the library?
Are there any special copyright issues I need to be aware of when developing an online course?
Who owns the intellectual property associated with distance courses?
How can I get training in Blackboard?
Will students have access to technical support?
Q: Why is distance education important to UNL?
A: Distance education is becoming an important trend in higher education. A growth rate of 33% in distance education is expected during the next several years, according to figures from the International Data Cooperation. The NU Board of Regents has called for distance education to be a part of the core activities of the University. The importance of distance education is evident in every UNL planning document.
All of UNL’s academic colleges have developed a wide range of distance education courses and/or programs to support their students’ unique needs. CASNR’s undergraduate certificate in Meat Culinology, CBA’s M.B.A. degree, CEHS’s M.A. in Textiles, Clothing & Design and Architecture’s Master’s Degree with a specialization in Interior Design are just a few examples of the variety of distance education programs being offered by UNL’s academic colleges.
By offering courses for undergraduate, graduate and high school audiences, the distance education programs are designed with the diverse population of students important to UNL’s future in mind. Back to Top
Q: I would like to teach online. How do I get involved?
A: After visiting with your department chair regarding your interest, contact one of the Office of Online & Distance Education Program Specialists, who will discuss with you the various types of distance education programs including undergraduate, graduate and Advanced Scholars and help you determine which program is best suited for your course. Back to Top
Q: What support services are available to faculty?
A: The Office of Online & Distance Education offers assistance in planning, designing, marketing and delivering distance courses and programs. We also offer ongoing Faculty Development opportunities including a personalized orientation for new online faculty and networking opportunities such as faculty demonstrations and luncheons, a Summer Institute for Online Teaching and college specific activities. Back to Top
Q: How long does it take to develop a distance education course?
A: There is no standard time frame for developing a distance course, but it may take as long as one year or as little as one semester. You will need to consider the complexity of your content, amount of materials you already have available, the variety and types of technology you wish to use and production schedules. Once you have worked with your Program Specialist to determine the types of distance education course formats you will offer, an Instructional Design Technology Specialist will be assigned to work with you on the design process. Back to Top
Q: How many students will be in my online courses?
A: Your online course can be designed for very large audiences or smaller, more interactive classes. The maximum enrollment for your course will be determined with your department chair during the course development process. Back to Top
Q: How do I arrange for an exam to be proctored?
A: The Office of Online & Distance Education has established proctoring processes so you do not have to spend time coordinating this function. Go to the “Proctoring” tab under "Course Set Up" for more information. In addition, if you are using Maple TA to set up your exams, please go to the Web-Based Assessment help page. Back to Top
Q: I want my students to complete research assignments. Do distance students have access to the library?
A: Yes. UNL Libraries provide extensive online services. Professor Kate Adams is the Library’s Distance Education Coordinator. Back to Top
Q: Are there any special copyright issues I need to be aware of when developing an online course?
A: Copyright laws apply to many instructional materials used in distance education just as they do when similar materials are used in a traditional classroom setting. Exceptions for classroom and distance education are similar but not absolutely the same. The Office of Online & Distance Education Instructional Design Technology Specialist assigned to your course can work with you to ensure that copyrighted material is used appropriately in your distance education course. Back to Top
Q: Who owns the intellectual property associated with distance courses?
A: As is the case with courses taught in a traditional classroom setting, instructional materials developed for distance courses are subject to the ownership of intellectual property policy stated in the University of Nebraska Board of Regents Policies Section 4.4.1, subsection 5.b.2. Back to Top
Q: How can I get training in Blackboard?
A: UNL Information Services provides workshops, online tutorials and blogs to help you learn how to use Blackboard. Contact them to schedule department or college wide trainings. Back to Top
Q: Will students have access to technical support?
A: Yes. UNL Information Services provides extensive online services, including extended help desk hours. Back to Top
For questions about starting an undergraduate or graduate online or distance education program, first contact your department chair or college dean.
If you have additional questions or just want to visit about opportunities, contact:
Marie Barber
Executive Director
Office of Online and Distance Education
402-472-4354
mbarber2@unl.edu
If you wish to discuss instructional design support and consulting for distance or fully online courses, contact:
Beverly Russell
Assistant Director, Instructional Design & Development
Office of Online and Distance Education
402-472-4358
brussell1@unl.edu
For information about creating a blended course, contact:
Sydney Brown
Blended Learning Coordinator
Office of Online and Distance Education
402-472-5204
sbrown3@unl.edu
