Faculty Resources FAQ
How do I offer a course through NDSU Distance & Continuing Education?
Select this link to access forms and syllabus guidelines.
How do I turn my face-to-face course into an online course?
In general, your curriculum will require some redesign in order to take advantage of the unique online learning environment. The degree to which course materials and resources will need to be redesigned will vary according to the type and complexity of the course. See the "Course Design 101" section on the menu for help preparing your course materials. Additionally, personalized assistance is available from DCE; we have staff that can work directly with you to prepare your materials.
How do I know that my students are understanding the material? How do I know my students are participating?
In general, many of the same principles of engaging student interaction and monitoring learning that instructors rely upon in the traditional classroom are also true online. Provide opportunities, and even require that students submit evidence of their participation (either through live chat or discussion board posts or even through written work) and provide multiple forms of assessment (quizzes, projects, reflection papers or essays). For detailed information, the following portions of this site are especially recommended:
How do I assess my students?
In general, many of the same principles of engaging student interaction and monitoring learning that instructors rely upon in the traditional classroom are also true online. Provide opportunities, and even require that students submit evidence of their participation (either through live chat or discussion board posts or even through written work) and provide multiple forms of assessment (quizzes, projects, reflection papers or essays). For detailed information, the following portions of this site are especially recommended:
Also, don't forget to check out the "Grading & Reporting" section under "Course Maintenance" for information about reporting grades and performance to the University (if applicable).
How do I get Blackboard access? How do I get a course shell?
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If you are teaching a course for University credit, as part of a degree program:
Contact the ITS Helpdesk at 701-231-8685, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). -
If you are 1) offering a 600 course for professional development or training, OR 2) a non-credit only option course, OR 3) you are not a University staff or faculty member:
Contact Karen Murie, 701-231-8638 or by email at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). She will verify your course status and assist you in completing the process to request Blackboard access and a course website shell.
How do students get access to my class in Blackboard? How are they notified?
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If you are offering a course for University credit, as part of a degree program:
Your students will automatically be added to your Blackboard roster when they register for your course through Campus Connection. Please note that students who add your course after the registration period of the course term may not automatically be added to your Blackboard roster. As the Instructor, you are advised to periodically compare your Campus Connection course roster to your Blackboard roster and adjust student permissions and/or remove students who have dropped. - If you are offering a 600 course for professional development or training, or a non-credit course: Your students may not be automatically added. Distance and Continuing Education staff will manage your course registration and manually provide your students with access to your Blackboard course site. Notification by email will also be sent to your students.
How do I report grades to the University?
Complete information about NDSU grading policies, deadlines and procedures can be found in the "Course Maintenance" section of this site.
How do students evaluate my course? Where do I get a copy of the course evaluation for my course site in Blackboard?
Complete information about evaluation policies and procedures for DCE courses can be found in the "Course Maintenance" section of this site.
What if I want to re-use a Blackboard course website from a prior course term?
Complete step-by-step instructions for migrating or re-using a Blackboard course website can be found in the "Blackboard" section of this site.
If you are teaching a 600 course through Distance and Continuing Education, you will NOT need to use this procedure; your course site will automatically be retained in the system.
Where do I get help using Blackboard?
Instructors offering courses through Distance and Continuing Education can contact DCE staff for technical assistance:
- Florin Salajan, 701-231-5674, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- NDSU faculty and staff may also contact the ITS Helpdesk at 701-231-8685, or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Blackboard Help Online
A link to the "Blackboard" section of this site for more information about where to learn about using Blackboard.