DESIGN DOCUMENT

PRLS 648

AMERICAN INDIANS

RIGHTS

AND CLAIMS

Hasan Altalib

Denis Richtarski

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Functionality

III. Test Your Knowledge (Interactivity Modules}

IV. Case Based Learning Environment

V. File Naming Convention

VI. Course Hierarchy

VII. Limitations

VIII. 508b Accessibility

IX. Assessment (Unit Review Tests)

I. Introduction

The following document outlines the design methodology, components and technical details that are related to the development of the American Indians Rights and Claims online course.

II. Functionality

The following functionality features were programmed into the course:

• Course Map

Allows students to view the table of contents for each unit of the course. All sections, subsections, test your knowledge modules, and unit review tests are linked on this page to allow for access within two navigational clicks.

• Glossary

Allows students to access the course glossary, which contains the definitions for terms that are bolded within the content. Letter anchors are provided at the top of this page to allow for quick access to terms.

• Resources

Provides links to all appendices and resources that are relevant to the content.

• Case Studies

Link students to a Problem-Based-Learning-Environment, where they have access to 10 authentic case studies. These cases can be implemented in a variety of engaging ways by guidelines outlined by the course facilitator.

• Discussion Board

Provides students with a link to the DLP specific online threaded discussion board. Students are able to conduct asynchronous discussions among themselves, the course instructor, and other experts.

• Email

Provides students with a link to the DLP specific Email tool, which allows students to communicate among themselves or with the instructor. It also allows students to attach and download assignments.

· Exit Course

DLP will come to a final decision on where students will be directed upon selecting this button. We suggest that it leads students back to the “MY DLP” page.

III. Test Your Knowledge (Interactivity Modules)

Four interactive “Test Your Knowledge” modules have been designed, programmed and inserted into the course. Each unit contains a module that challenges the learner to recall specific information from that unit, section or subsection. These modules are embedded deeply within the content, but can also be accessed from the course-map page.

The modules will function properly when using the following browsers and browser versions:

• Internet Explorer (IE) Versions 4 through 5 and all points in between, e.g., IE 4.5 and 5.0. IE 6 will not interpret the drag and drop JavaScript.
• Netscape Versions 4 through 6 and all points in between.

We suggest that an IE version 5 Browser be used for an optimal web-enhanced experience.

Text versions of all interactive modules have been included to accommodate accessibility obstacles.

IV. Case Based Learning Environment

The Problem Based Learning Environment has been designed to challenge students to provide solutions to actual scenarios and cases that have occurred within both land management and Indian consultation professions. The environment provokes higher orders thinking and problem solving skills, whereby students must apply their newly acquired knowledge to develop an informed solution or response, e.g., a Record of Decision. The environment accommodates expert scaffolding through communication tools present within the course, i.e., e-mail, discussion board. The environment affords much freedom as to how facilitators choose to utilize these features.

• Details
• 10 cases
• 2 cases have preset requirements for students to complete.
• 8 cases do not include requirements, but have been placed within the environment for further development and/or facilitator use.
• All cases have a link to a Microsoft Word version.

V. File Naming Convention

The following file naming convention was used to chunk the course content:

Unit#-section#-subsection#-page#

For example, content for unit 3, section 2, subsection 4, page 5

Would translate into the following file name,

u03-s02-ss04-p05

VI. Course Hierarchy

The course contains four learning units; the content within each unit is arranged as follows:

• Objectives
• Sections, multiple within each unit
• Subsections, multiple within each section
• Unit Review Test

VII. Limitations

Interactivity module function is limited to the use of version specific browsers. Students must download the correct browser and the correct browser version in order to have full module functionality.

Text versions of each module have been created to allow students access the information without worrying about browser compatibility.

VIII. 508 Accessibility

Due to federal government accessibility guidelines (Section 508 accessibility standards) the course design accommodates these guidelines with the following:

• All images have alt tags and descriptive captions
• Strong tags were used instead of bold
• Emphasis tags were used instead of italics
• Colors have not been used to refer to importance or hierarchy of information
• Web safe colors have been incorporated to accommodate the visually impaired
• No flashing or strobing text has been used
• A text navigation menu has been provided at the bottom of each page
• All links are tabable
• Frames were not used
• Text versions have been created for all interactivity modules and unit reviews

IX. Assessment (Unit Review Tests)

A drop down feature has been used to design the unit review tests. The student selects the question he/she wants to answer, and then answers the question in the same text box. The student then selects the corresponding answer to the question. This allows the student to compare his answer with the one provided by the instructor.

DLP will decide on where students must to email the completed tests to track student progress and verify that the student has taken the unit review test.

The final is a proctored, text-based version to be administered and tracked by DLP.