Based on recommendations issued by the Faculty Senate Internet Committee, the SAC College Academic Council approved the following document on July 14, 2000.
Internet courses may be constructed in total by the faculty member or may consist of a "shell" to which the faculty member adds his or her material or modifications as needed. In either case, the material authored by the faculty member remains the property of the faculty member. The Alamo Community College District should not assert ownership of any course materials. Therefore, copyright notices should be made in the name of the individual course developer.
Faculty members are expected, in the spirit of collegiality, to share the materials and courses they develop with their colleagues at the college. Releasing materials to those outside the college is at the discretion of the authoring faculty member. The authoring faculty member will retain royalties derived from the sale of the course material outside the college. If royalties are derived from the course or course materials within the college, then they should be donated to a scholarship fund.
Internet courses, like all courses, are protected by the principles of academic freedom. Therefore, course content and grading standards are the prerogative of the faculty member within the parameters established by their home department.
Course development and approval are the responsibility of the academic departments. Internet training and certification are the responsibilities of the college.
Faculty members who develop an Internet course shall receive one class released time during a fall or spring semester or a stipend equal to the amount the faculty member would earn by teaching one class at the adjunct
rate during a fall or spring semester. Course development in the summer will be compensated by a stipend equal to the amount the faculty member would earn for teaching one course in the summer at the adjunct rate.
Faculty members may also choose to develop an Internet course without any compensation or released time. The faculty member may choose the option he or she prefers.
It is the prerogative of individual departments to establish class size. However, it is recommended that class size be held to a maximum of 20 the first time a faculty member teaches a course, and thereafter maintained at a level of 20-25 students.
Teams across the District are voluntary. When an Internet course is developed voluntarily by teams of members from different colleges in the District, the revenue generated through tuition and contact hour reimbursement will remain with the college through which the student registers for the course.
Although District Information Systems has contracted for the use of Web-CT, faculty members are not required to use this or any other platform. Faculty members should take the opportunity to learn about different platforms in order to make an informed decision concerning their use.
Academic Freedom
Compensation for Course Development
Class Size
Teams
Delivery Platform
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