Office of Distributed Learning
ODL Profiles - November 2006
David F.
Maynard, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department Chair
Dr. Maynard, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, pioneered the development of a Web-Based CHEM 208: Survey of Human Biochemistry Distance Learning course. Course lectures were recorded in class and archived using the Tegrity software media system program that seamlessly compressed the audio, video and PowerPoint presentations using an on-line streaming video format. The lectures were then posted on Blackboard for student viewing.on-demand. This DL format uniquely allowed working RNs the opportunity to further their education when the more traditional format would not work. For example, Dr Maynard recounts "I had two students who were nurses in Needles working the night shift at the local hospital. When their ward quieted down, typically around midnight, they would turn on their computer and watch my lectures on blackboard and then email me their questions. They really like the flexibility that the DL format provided in their study schedule."
One difficulty encountered during the classroom lectures was the co-ordination of the classroom activities and classroom demonstrations. Chemical demonstrations are an important activity in any science class, especially those without a laboratory component. However, classroom demonstrations involve a terrific amount instructor preparation and classroom time.
This problem is exacerbated in the DL
format where the instructor must set-up and operate the camera,
overhead projector, PowerPoint presentation, as well as the
pre-assemble the chemical apparatus to perform the demonstration. To
solve this problem, Dr. Maynard is currently recording a series of
“classical” chemical demonstrations for the class
"I think the course has been very successful and has a good reputation.
Student enrollment in the DL format course has increased
every quarter to 79 students this fall 2006 term."
IIf you have questions or would like to talk to dr. Maynard about his approach to distance-teaching and learning, please contact him at dmaynard@csusb.edu.
