Adelphi supports online learning as a way for extending our quality education to those who cannot otherwise access such classes because of scheduling or distance constraints. Technology is the means for bridging that gap. This semester, the range of courses offered in online format included "Introduction to Counseling", "Expository and Professional Writing", Global and Societal Development and Conflict", "Principles of Emergency Services" and "The Opera."

Deirdre Donat, General Studies Counselor, remembers the days when she was finishing her own degree while caring for three children, and wishes the online option had been available to her. "Online courses can fulfill a need for people who are faced with time challenges and other responsibilities yet want to complete a degree. I wanted to be part of that," she says. "Half of the students in the class I am teaching now would have scheduling conflicts, and if not for the online course would probably not be attending classes." The format suits Donat's lifestyle well. "Teaching an online course also helps me," she adds, "as I get to do what I love—teach—but I am not pigeonholed into a day and time."

Donat is teaching the Introduction to Counseling class this semester. Course instruction is delivered via Blackboard, which she learned to implement through the FCPE's "extremely patient" staff, she says. "Once I learned the program and how to use it properly, it was pretty easy."

But which courses are a good fit for an online environment? Donat felt her course could be applied online as it is not teaching students how to counsel, rather it's exposing the students to ethics, the various theorists, and their contributions to the profession. "In addition, through self-reflection work, students can think about the theory and possibly compare and apply it to their own lives, giving them an opportunity for self-examination and personal growth."

Professor Rita Verma saw a great opportunity in online learning "since it allows me to be innovative and imaginative in my teaching pedagogy and approach," she says. Verma, Assistant Professor in the School of Education, is teaching Global and Societal Development and Conflict this semester. "Students seem to enjoy the debate forums that are set up and they enjoy their independence and ability to be in different places. I have one student who was in Israel while participating in a live classroom debate we were having on immigration. It was really wonderful to have an international viewpoint on the issue. It was enlightening for the students that were participating from Long Island."

Verma has been using technology in other creative ways at Adelphi, such as using videoconferencing in the annual international conference on teaching for peace and human rights. "I am also working with the UN Global Teaching and Learning Project in their development of an international discussion board for teachers. The purpose of the board would be to allow teachers to share their ideas and lesson plans. I will be moderating the site."

An online platform also enables Adelphi to gain the expertise of instructors who would not otherwise be available to us, as is the case with classical pianist Anthony Olson, who calls Northwest Missouri State University his home institution. Northwest granted him a fellowship to develop an online piano literature course and he took a year to "carefully think through each learning objective, each assignment and experience, assessment of learning, etc., as I prepared the course site." This allowed him time to implement the tools that were appropriate to his discipline. "For my courses, the greatest resources are audio and video—most of which I incorporate using electronic resources available through the library and, believe it or not, YouTube."

"The Opera" course Olson teaches through University College at Adelphi includes studying the basic elements of music and the experience of attending opera, as well as the history and development of the genre.

Does being an online instructor mean devoting more time? "I think it requires the same amount of time and a bit more creativity to keep the interest and momentum going," says Verma.

Prof. Donat weighs in: "I spend at least as much time, if not more, as I do teaching and preparing for a traditional class. The main difference is that instead of being a very large block of time during the week, it is dozens of short periods each day. I check Blackboard often throughout the day and evening, reading and responding to questions and work submitted by students."

Olson feels that that the time and experience involved in planning an online course, especially for a first-timer, "immensely improves an instructor’s teaching abilities. It provides the instructor the opportunity to carefully think through learning objectives, the pacing and timing of assignments and learning experiences, assessment—and to think through everything in a completely new and fresh way. Developing online courses has made me a much better teacher both in the classroom and online."

If you are interested in developing an online course, please visit: http://academics.adelphi.edu/online/faculty/