As many or most of you already know, the California Virtual Campus began a program four years ago to recognize exceptional websites used in teaching online courses at California’s community colleges. We wanted to acknowledge the work that faculty have done to create these sites, often with support from their colleges’ technical staff. We also wanted to encourage others to
pursue the same kind of excellence.
There were nearly 30 courses nominated for this year’s awards. Nominated websites were judged on educational content, construction and layout, instructional design, use of multimedia, interactivity and community, and accessibility to those with disabilities. Most of the prize-winning courses use a course management system. However the judges emphasize that the accessibility of these courses does not necessarily mean that every course using the same course management system would be equally accessible.
When this year’s competition for the CVC best online teaching website award was announced in March, we expected that there would be three awards. However, our judges have declared ties for the second- and third-place prizes and so there will be five awards. The first-place winner will receive $1,500, the two second-place winners will each receive $750 and the two third-place winners will each get checks for $300. The awards will be presented at the MERLOT conference in Costa Mesa on August 5. The conference is being hosted this year by the California Virtual Campus, a project of California’s community colleges, and by the California State University.
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First Place ~ Award: $1,500
Donna Eyestone, City College of San Francisco
Course: Digital Media Skills (BCST119)
Phone: (415) 452-7361
Email: deyestone@mac.com
As with most campuses, the ability to have award winning courses available to the public is for a limited time only. This course is no longer available for viewing. If you have specific questions, please contact Donna directly.
The judges commended Donna Eyestone’s Digital Media Skills course site for its ease of navigation, its organization of the subject matter and its appropriate use of multimedia. It is easy for students to find needed materials. The course was judged to have made excellent use of audio as a means of introducing each new unit; graphics and video are also used effectively. The course provides ample opportunity for student interactions, inviting students to become truly involved in the content. The judges found themselves wanting to enroll in the class and participate in its activities.
Second Place ~ Award: $750
Larry Ferrara, City College of San Francisco
Course: Music Appreciation (MUS 27A)
Phone: (415) 239-3856
Email: lferrara@ccsf.edu
As with most campuses, the ability to have award winning courses available to the public is for a limited time only. This course is no longer available for viewing. If you have specific questions, please contact Larry directly.
Larry Ferrara’s Music Appreciation course was cited for its rich content and interesting learning activities. The course is visually appealing, provides many listening opportunities for students and communicates a love for music.
Second Place ~ Award: $750
K. Allison Lenkeit, Foothill College
Course: Physical Geography (GEOG01)
Phone: (650) 949-7166
Email: lenkeitkaren@fhda.edu
Class URL: http://fh.etudes.fhda.edu/etudes.cgi?request,logframe!cs_id,1346941484
UserID: cvcaward
Password: judging
Allison Lenkeit’s Physical Geography course was praised for its very effective presentation of content, for its clear delineation of expectations for student learning and for its easy-to-follow directions for students.
Third Place ~ Award: $300
James Keeshen, Santa Monica College
Course: History of Animation
Phone: (310) 434-3722
Email: keeshen_james@smc.eduhttp://smconline.org
UserID: keeshen-guest
Password: keeshen-guest
James Keeshen’s History of Animation course was applauded for its excellent course design and smooth layout. Its use of a CD for the delivery of video was very well done. As did the other award-winning courses, this course provided multiple channels for student interaction.
Third Place ~ Award: $300
Monica White, Long Beach City College
Course: Library 212 Web Law Resources
Phone: (562) 938-4582
Email: mwhite@lbcc.edu
Class URL: http://coursepages.lbcc.edu/lib212olww/
userid: lib212w
password: 22004
Monica White’s course in Web Law Resources was likewise commended for its design. It offers a wide range of learning activities and innovative ways for students to assess their learning.
Our thanks to all of the 2004 judges!
Cheryl Chapman, CVC Online Course Award Project Coordinator/Chief Judge
Judith Norton, CVC PDC, Director of Training
Sean Keegan, Web Accessibility Instructor - High Tech Center Training Unit
for the California Community Colleges
Barbara Illowsky , Professor of Mathematics, De Anza College
David P. Diaz, Division Chair: Physical Education and Athletics, Cuesta College
Joyce Bishop, Professor, Social Sciences & New Media, Golden West College
Barbara Illowsky and David Diaz were recognized in earlier years for the
excellence of their course sites!
And thanks also to Pat Arlington of the CVC Southern California Regional Center and to the CVC Professional Development Center’s Tony Sotos for their contributions to the nominations and judging process. All five CVC centers have provided support that has made these awards possible.