Online Syllabus Prototype Pilot Test Findings

Elizabeth Tu, Center for Faculty Development

February, 2018

The Background

The Accessible Technology Initiative - Instructional Materials (ATI IM) committee wants to explore an online version of accessible syllabus template, as an optional alternative to the Word-doc version currently in use. The Center for Faculty Development works with Web Services to develop this online version of syllabus template which includes all of the required syllabus elements (as per Academic Senate policy S16-9), and helps to ensure accessibility and currency of this critical document.

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About the Pilot Test

• In mid-January, a request for pilot testers was sent to 83 faculty members in various colleges.
• On February 5^th, we received a total of 14 feedback out of 37 faculty members who agreed to participate in this pilot test. One faculty shared his comments but did not complete the feedback form.
• The feedback from College of Business was received on February 14^th.
• The response rate is: 16/38 = 42%

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Participating Colleges

Colleges included in this pilot study are:

• CASA = 3
• Business = 1
• Education = 4
• Engineering = 2
• H & A = 2
• Science = 1
• Social Sciences = 2

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Any Experience with OU Campus?

The OmniUpdate (OU) Campus is the web content management system at SJSU.

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• Yes, and comfortable with it = 3
• Yes, but not proficient at it = 3
• No = 9

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Difficulty in Using This Prototype?

Now that you have had the chance to work with the on-line syllabus template, how would you rate your experience in using this prototype to create a syllabus? (1 = very easy; 10 = very difficult):

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• 1 = 1
• 2 = 3
• 3 = 3
• 4 = 2
• 5 = 1
• 6 = 3
• 8 = 2

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1 = very easy; 10 = very difficult

What do you like best about this prototype template?

• Clear & easy format (7)
• i.e. headings, structure
• Copy and Paste functions (6)
• Easy to edit and allow text formatting (2)
• Web-based, online (2)
• Accessibility, Centralized information, Link to Canvas (instead of using Word file) (1)
• The instructions were very helpful. (1)

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The Most Confusing Areas?

• Technical Issues (12)
• Misalignment and confusion of main content area (4)
• Entered text does not aligned w row heading name, overwrite existing row headings, not aware to enter info in the next new column
• Heading customization (4)
• Remove irrelevant sections (2), add headings (2)
• Course schedule table (3)
• Info missing after Save (1)
• OU Campus Basics (4)
• Save manually (2) – directions helpful
• Problems in copying formatted text from Word (1)
• OU basics e.g., click Publish to make it public (1)
• Miscellaneous Requests: (4)
• Spell checking, grid line for table, download as Word file, Ability to view headings any time
• Online format not aligned with Department requirement (1)
• Nothing confusing! Just don't love the formatting that OU forces sometimes. It's a bit wonky.

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Likelihood in Using This �Online Format

How likely is it that you would use something like this syllabus template to create and distribute your course syllabi?

• Not at all likely = 2
• Perhaps = 7
• Quite likely = 6
• Other = 0

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Other Comments or Recommendations

• OU system (6)
• User-friendliness (3) – willingness to learn OU Campus
• Info missing after Save (2)
• Customize headings (3) - Skip irrelevant headings (2) or add relevant headings
• Problems copying and pasting info onto Course Schedule table
• Improve instructions - Enter text in a new column next to field name
• Requests
• Add text before table, prefer Word formatting (underline, R-click instead of Cntl+V), better syllabus design and downloadable as Word, no flush left design
• Duplication of Word and online syllabus (4)
• Upload Word version
• Online version is the right direction (2)
• Ensure ADA compliant (2)
• Add template in Canvas shell (1)
• Info System in Library has their own online template (1)
• Easy to use, user friendly - students may find it more convenient than using Canvas Word version

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Next Step

Present pilot study results to ATI IM Committee and discuss issues and the next step.

• Issues:
• Web Services is able to resolve most of the technical issues
• Customization is possible based on needs
• Archiving and future maintenance resource issues need to be addressed
• Outreach, OU Campus training, online syllabus template training & support
• Next Steps
• Move forward
• Drop the project
• Seek volunteer participation
• Others?!

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Back-up Slides

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The Best about this prototype template?

• The instructions were very helpful.
• Accessibility, Centralized information, Link to Canvas (instead of using Word file), easy to change and edit
• Easy to drop in the information
• You can copy and paste.
• It is mostly clear and easy and the format allows easy copy and pasting options
• I liked how easy it was to copy and paste material from my current syllabus both content and tables.
• I like that it still gave you the option to format your text.
• The format has been setup already.

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The best about this prototype template - 2?

• I liked that all the headings were prepared for me
• It makes it easy to know what to include (but not easier than the syllabus templates that have been previously circulated)
• Clear format; likely easy for students to read. The schedule of assignments section is easy to use and looks good (one exception, see comment below).
• I like that it will be web-based! Easy to follow and use
• Follows the required format
• It was online
• I could copy and paste my syllabus
• Template is divided into different small blocks so that we can copy and paste the text in each block.

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The most confusing area?

• It was a bit challenging to load content into the template. I would have liked the ability to zoom out to see a bigger picture. I also don't like that all the headings are present in the final page, even if I did not enter content. For example, the GE section is not required for my course, but it still appears in my final output.
• I'm not sure how to have it omit sections that are not relevant to my class (it indicated that sections left blank would not appear, but they did), and when I did the spell check before publishing, there didn't seem to be a way to correct spelling errors.
• The main content area and the instructions for where to type in the information.
• Nothing confusing! Just don't love the formatting that OU forces sometimes. It's a bit wonky.
• Having to manually save to enter the next section
• The information in the Course and Contact section was confusing. I deleted each of the prompts and typed in the course information, but it doesn't show-up in the Preview, and I don't know how to edit it.

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The most confusing area - 2?

• When saving the information. I found several issues. One, the header and the information I'm typing are not consistent. For example, where it says "Instructor" it now has my office location, not my name. Although, when actually inputting this information it was lined up. Also, the copy and paste ability is great, but the formatting is not streamlining well. What looks nice in Microsoft Word is not looking nice when copied into the online prototype.
• The information for the first section with name of instructor, course information etc. needed to be typed in and shows all the information correctly when I am in edit mode. Once I save and publish it does not show up. The same thing has happened for the course syllabus. I copied and pasted the course syllabus and it does not show up in the published version but I can see my copied and pasted schedule in the edit mode.
• It didn't seem to fit what my department wanted
• How can instructors download the syllabus as a .doc format rather a .pdf

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The most confusing area - 3?

• Missing grid lines, multiple edit "green" edit clicks - it would be helpful to have just one for all, include university policies in the template, add a section for departmental policies, etc.
• My screen got stuck when I was entering the material and I was not sure how to fix it. When I would go to click on "Save" in order to move onto the next section a error page would come up and say "The File is Locked by Another User" and no matter what I pressed on it would not let me move to a different page without losing the information I already had worked on. If this error did not occur, the most confusing area would have been not knowing how to add my own sections to the syllabus. For instance, I would like a column that says "Make-up Exams and Assignments" and "Submitting Assignments to Canvas". And deleting a few of the sections that are built into the online platform that I am not using.
• Knowing how to save the edits to the template. Your directions were very helpful, however.
• Replacing the table "Weekly Activities" with my table
• Faculty needs to know the basics of OU Campus to do this template. Some faculty many not be knowing that they need to publish the template to make it public.

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Other Comments or Recommendations

• I would definitely use this template if it didn't show the empty sections, particularly for my online class. It would be nice to be able to link the syllabus to a url so that when I change the syllabus it's automatically updated on Canvas.
• Since this template was not as user-friendly as the accessible template I've already been using, I don't see myself switching to this format.
• Suggestions: Under Step 6 of the "Instructions for Entering Information on Syllabus Prototype," you should indicate that the user should enter the information in the column to the right of the field and show a screen shot. Problems: 1) In the Main Content area, the fields did not match the information after I saved/published the information. The information in the Main Content area is jumbled; for instance, under Instructor, it shows my Office Location. Also, the name of the School/College and the Prerequisites do not appear in the preview even though I have typed this information in and can see it in editing mode. 2) I want to edit the University Policies section to emphasize the Plagiarism Policy, but I am not allowed. This is important in a writing class. 3) The Notes (such as "the schedule is subject to change", etc.) that I wanted to enter under Course Schedule (before the calendar) does not appear in the saved version even though I see it while I'm editing. 4) The section headings that I left blank still appear after its saved. 5) I would like to use the "U" (for underline) in the toolbox (there is only italicize and bold). I know I can do Control+U, but it would be nice to click the icon sometimes too. 6) I would like to paste with the right click of my mouse (not only Control+V).
• OU Campus is not user-friendly, e.g. problems copying and pasting info into Course Schedule table issues

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Other Comments or Recommendations - 2

• Web-based is the right direction! Great idea. It's just that our OU system is sometimes frustrating since it's not as powerful in terms of formatting.
• I'm quite happy with writing my own green sheet in Canvas. It's even better in Canvas because the calendar is automatically populated. Instead of this OU Campus template I suggest that new Canvas shells simply have a green sheet template. Or provide a link for a green sheet template that can be cut/pasted into Canvas.
• The template that faculty use in my school is set by the School of Information so this template would need to be adopted by them.
• I'm not sure how this is different than Canvas. I think the potential is great, but there are several glitches. Also, I'm not sure if instructors want to work on their syllabus in Word and then have to go to a web based version and reinsert the information. It can seem redundant.

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Other Comments or Recommendations - 3

• As long as the template allows me to easily copy and paste, I will be likely to use it. If I have to type in information separately into graphs such as the course and faculty information and course syllabus, that will make it cumbersome as I will not want to double my efforts in creating a syllabus on word and then having to type in information again onto this OU Campus syllabus template.
• I would have to "tweek it" to fit the content I am required to use but it might be possible
• 1. The syllabus can be downloaded as a .doc file. 2. The design of the syllabus has been improved.
• Easy to use, user friendly - students may find it more convenient than using Canvas Word version
• I like how the online template guarantees that the material is ADA complaint.
• Template is OK, but I still think it could be easier. Did not understand if I could just upload my original syllabus.
• I love that it is accessible, but the flush left text to the margin and overall presentation made it harder to read.
• The template seems to be easy to use. However faculty needs to know how to log into OU Campus, how to view this template, how to edit and save the syllabus template and how to finally publish it. If faculty are not willing to learn OU Campus other than Canvas, it is difficult to make them use the template.

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