How is CourseSpace different than SLN?

CourseSpace is SUNY’s Course Management System (CMS) for web-enhanced, hybrid and blended teaching and learning. Whereas SLN is used for fully online, asynchronous courses, CourseSpace is used for partly synchronous courses in which students and faculty experience both face-to-face and online interaction. As of August 16, 2004, CourseSpace and SLN will have the same support system: the SLN HelpDesk.

What is the difference between web-enhanced, hybrid and blended courses?

Campuses define web-enhanced, hybrid and blended courses differently. Your Campus MID will clarify their definitions. A typical web-enhanced course meets face-to-face in a traditional setting and has components available online through CourseSpace. Students may simply access course documents or complete assignments online. Seat time is not replaced.

Many campuses define hybrid and blended courses as the same thing. Like a web-enhanced course, students experience both traditional and online environments. The difference is that seat time is replaced to some degree.

What is the difference between CourseSpace, CourseSpace Light, and MeetingSpace?

Beginning Fall 2004, CourseSpace templates are identified as either CourseSpace, CourseSpace Light, or Meeting Space. The full CourseSpace version contains all of the interactive tools found in SLN courses, including discussions, assignments, tests/quizzes, the Bulletin Board, and private folders. Campuses are charged a fee for users and the SLN HelpDesk supports them. 

CourseSpace Light does not contain interactive components, but allows faculty to post documents and create modules. The Light version is FREE.  The “light” version is web only not supported by the SLN HelpDesk.

MeetingSpace is a fully functioning version of the CourseSpace software that instructors can use for a variety of non-credit based activities and purposes, such as institutional discussion groups, student clubs, campus workgroups, faculty discipline-specific discussion groups, writing lab areas, orientation to campus processes, etc. MeetingSpace is web only and not supported by the SLN HelpDesk. MeetingSpace cannot be used for courses.

How are instructors using CourseSpace for their courses?

CourseSpace instructors are using CourseSpace for three main purposes:

• To house course information documents, lectures, PowerPoints, hyperlinks and graphics.
• For student learning activities (e.g. discussions, written assignments, tests, homework).
• As a teaching tool (e.g. lecture using PowerPoint, project problems in front of class).

What changes have occurred now that SLN is supporting CourseSpace as of the Fall 2004 semester?

            View the Faculty “What’s New” link within this website.

What type of support do faculty receive?

Campus MIDs and Academic Coordinators support CourseSpace faculty on an ongoing basis. As of August 16, 2004, the SLN HelpDesk will also support CourseSpace faculty and students. SLN can be contacted via phone or e-mail:

• 1-800-875-6269
• helpdesk@sln.suny.edu

Is CourseSpace training available for faculty?

CourseSpace faculty training sessions are offered by SUNY and local campuses. SLN-experienced faculty interested in CourseSpace can simply contact their Campus MID to get started with CourseSpace. Non-experienced faculty typically attend two 4-hour sessions that focus on instructional design principals, CourseSpace components, and CourseSpace on the Web. If faculty use the full CourseSpace version, they may also receive training on the Lotus Notes client.  Sessions are informative and hands-on. Contact your Campus MID for more information.

I’ve completed trainings and need CourseSpace templates. How do I order them?

Campus MIDs or Academic Coordinators create CourseSpace templates. If you need to order course templates, contact them with the following information for each course. Templates can be ordered up to 1 year in advance and are accessible within 1 hour of creation.

• Primary Instructor Name
• Co-instructor Names (if applicable)
• Course # and Name
• Section # (only if you need multiple sections of the same course)
• Semester course is for
• Course Type (CourseSpace vs CourseSpace Light vs Meeting Space)
• Course Status (Postponed vs Active)

My full CourseSpace template has been created. How do I download it?

As of Fall 2004, instructors will be using the Download Manager to download their full CourseSpace templates. The Download Manager is located within Lotus Notes and makes downloading quick and easy!

If you do not have the Download Manager icon in Lotus Notes, you can either contact your Campus MID to have an e-mail sent to you with a button to add it to your workspace OR you can add it manually by:

• Open Lotus Notes and login
• On the menu bar, click on File-->Database-->Open
• Change the server to BufApp01.sln.suny.edu/SLN
• Open the SLN folder
• Open the Faculty folder
• Double-click on "Download Manager"
• You will now see the icon appear on your 1st workspace tab

Depending on if SLN or your Campus MID converted your templates to the new SLN environment, you may or may not need to re-download your Fall course templates. To find out, simply follow these steps:

• In Lotus Notes, REPLICATE all of your CourseSpace templates
• OPEN each CourseSpace template and then close it
• If a RED SQUARE appears in the top left corner of your course icon, then you do NOT need to re-download your course template and you can work in it (note: CourseSpace Light courses have a feather).
• If the template remains with the "N S E W" symbol in the top left corner, then you DO need to re-download your course template using the Download Manager. Beginning Fall 2004, do NOT work on templates with the "N S E W" symbol!

I have the Download Manager in Lotus Notes. How do I use it?

You will download your course templates one at a time using the Download Manager:

• In Lotus Notes, double-click on the Download Manager icon
• Double-click on the course you would like to download
• Click on the button to create a local replica of your course
• REPEAT for each CourseSpace course
• Your course icon will appear on the 1st workspace tab - drag to your preferred tab

What technology is used to develop and maintain my full CourseSpace course?

The technology for developing and modifying full CourseSpace courses is the same as SLN. You have the option of installing Lotus Notes, working locally on your computer, and then replicating to the server; and/or using the Professor Navigator to work online. CourseSpace instructors use the Course Creator Wizard to design their course structure.

IMPT: Instructors must upgrade to Lotus Notes 6 in order to work on their Fall 2004 course templates. If you’ve upgraded successfully, you will have a "Lotus Notes 6" orange shortcut on your desktop. You should contact your Campus MID if you need a Lotus Notes 6 CD or documentation.

What technology is used to develop and maintain my CourseSpace Light and MeetingSpace courses?

The Professor Navigator is the technology used for developing and modifying CourseSpace Light and MeetingSpace courses. It can also be used for full CourseSpace courses. However, faculty will not use the Lotus Notes client for CourseSpace Light and MeetingSpace courses.

Using the Professor Navigator, you can access the wizards, modify course documents, and edit your Course Map Adjuster online. CourseSpace Light instructors use the Module Creator Wizard to create their course structure and MeetingSpace instructors use the Course Creator Wizard to design their course.

What is the Professor Navigator?

CourseSpace faculty no longer need to rely on the Lotus Notes client for course development and maintenance.  Faculty now have the option of using the Professor Navigator to create modules, edit documents, and modify the Course Map Adjuster. The Professor Navigator is located online within each CourseSpace course and is used for full CourseSpace, CourseSpace Light, and Meeting Space courses.

What is the difference between the Course Creator Wizard and the Module Creator Wizard?

The Course Creator Wizard creates the course module structure, including interactive components. This wizard is used for designing full and MeetingSpace CourseSpace courses. It is located within Lotus Notes and the Professor Navigator. The wizard is also located within Light courses in order for instructors to experiment with all of CourseSpace's features. However, the interactive components are disabled.

The Module Creator Wizard creates the course module structure, but does not create interactive components. It is located within Light courses and should be used for designing CourseSpace Light courses. The wizard creates one module at a time, in order for instructors to build their course over time. The Module Creator Wizard is an online tool - cannot be used in Lotus Notes - because Light courses are managed online using the Professor Navigator. To access the wizard and other online tools go to:

• http://sln.suny.edu/csfaculty
• Login and open the course
• Click on the Open Professor Navigator link
• Expand the Wizards arrow
• Click on the Module Creator Wizard link
• At that point, you will name and number the module, and name your lecture section...REPEAT for each Module

I don’t have the default Course Information Documents in my course. How do I add them?

To create your course information documents, simply click on the Create Course Information link located within the Professor Navigator.

When are CourseSpace courses scheduled to open and close?

CourseSpace courses are typically scheduled to open for student registration and access 2 weeks prior to the semester start date, and remain open for 2 weeks after the semester end date.  This will vary slightly by campus. If you need those dates changed (e.g. for a late start course or you don't plan on using CourseSpace until mid-semester), contact your Campus MID. If you don't plan on having students access your course during the semester, contact your Campus MID in order to have your course postponed.

What does postponing my course do?

Postponing your course allows you to work on your course throughout the semester, but does not allow students to register or access your course online. This is a great option for allowing more time for course development.  

I need course materials copied into my CourseSpace template. How do I do this?

Course materials can be copied from SLN into CourseSpace and vice versa. If you would like course materials copied from an existing or previous course, you can either use the new Automated Pour for Faculty tool or contact your Campus MID with the following information:

• Interface (SLN or CourseSpace)
• CourseSpace/SLN course name and #, semester, year, section #
• Details (e.g. copy entire course, copy only course information documents)

How do I access and proof my course online?

After working and replicating in Lotus Notes and/or via the Professor Navigator, you will access you course online at the new Faculty Center located at http://sln.suny.edu/csfaculty. The Faculty Center enables you to access your CourseSpace courses, utilize the Professor Navigator, and review other valuable links.

Granting Guest Access: The Guest Creator Tool
The Guest Creator tool enables faculty to create, add and remove guest accounts/access. Guest access can be granted for individuals with or without an SLN/CourseSpace account. Guests can also be removed from a course at any given time. Requests are processed within 1 hour and guests will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to access the course.

Guest Access to Courses: The Guest Commons
The Guest Commons allows others, such as colleagues, to access CourseSpace courses online. After granting access using the Guest Creator tool, guests will access courses through the Guest Commons. Existing faculty use their username and password to login. Guests use the username and password provided within the Guest Creator tool.

• View course information
• Edit the Course Map
• Create guest accounts
• Send group e-mails to students
• View students registered for your course
• View students’ contact and password information
• Reconcile and remove student access from courses
• View actions performed on your course

• Expand the appropriate semester
• Click on the “(About)” link, located at the end of the Course link
• Click on the appropriate links: Course Info, Guest Account, Students, Change Log, Exit

SLN has developed a new CourseSpace Student Launch Pad and will support CourseSpace students as of August 16, 2004. Visit the “New Students Getting Started” link for information and documentation.

I would like to provide feedback on the CourseSpace website. How do I do that?

Instructors can also contribute suggestions to the list of application enhancements by clicking on the CourseSpace Suggestions link located within the Faculty Center.