This document provides an overview of the Distance Education And Learning (DEAL) course. The 4-part online course aims to teach experienced public health educators how to adapt existing curricula for distance learning. It consists of 3 required live online sessions plus intersession activities and a capstone presentation. The course covers topics like distance learning standards, technologies, teaching strategies, and planning distance trainings. The lead instructors are listed and session dates, objectives, and topics are outlined. Accommodations for disabilities and links to technology accessibility statements are also included.

1. Distance Education And Learning (DEAL) – 2017 1 © R-IV Public Health Training Center
Distance Education And Learning (DEAL)
Course Overview
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
Lead Instructors
Melissa (Moose) Alperin, EdD, MPH, MCHES
malperi@emory.edu
Charita Alston, MSEdT
charita.alston@emory.edu
Additional Facilitators
Laura Lloyd, MPH, MCHES
lmlloyd@emory.edu
Michelle Carvalho, MPH, CHES
mlcarva@emory.edu
Hilary Merlin, MEd
hilary.merlin@emory.edu
COURSE OVERVIEW
Course Description
Developed by the Region IV Public Health Training Center, Distance Education And Learning
(DEAL) is a 4-part online course for experienced public health educators who are currently
delivering live, in-person trainings so that these individuals can adapt existing curricula for a
distance-based audience. As society becomes more technologically advanced and funding
constraints limit the reach of in-person trainings, educators need to reach a wider audience by
offering trainings online with as much vigor and engagement as those trainings offered in an in-
person environment. The DEAL course gives public health trainers tools and guidance to
become effective educators in a distance-based environment.
DEAL consists of three 3-hour live online sessions which all participants are required to attend.
Before each session, the participants complete a short assignment lasting approximately 15-20
minutes to prepare for the live sessions. There will also be activities to complete in between
sessions to put participant knowledge into practice. The course will finish with a 10-minute
capstone presentation from each participant as their culminating experience.

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Successful Completion of Course
Successful completion of the DEAL course will be demonstrated by:
• Participation in all synchronous sessions including the capstone; and
• Submission of intersession activities.
Participants who successfully complete the DEAL course will receive a certificate of completion.
Overall Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the DEAL training, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the use of e-Learning standards in distance education.
2. Describe technology tools used in distance-based instruction.
3. Critique distance-based trainings using e-Learning standards.
4. Incorporate distance-based teaching and assessment strategies to create a plan for
instruction.
5. Develop a plan for a distance-based training session related to a public health topic.
Session Dates
• Session 1: January 25, 2017, 12:00-3:00 pm EST
• Session 2: February 22, 2017, 12:00-3:00 pm EST
• Session 3: March 22, 2017, 12:00-3:00 pm EST
• Session 4: Capstone Presentations (pick one)
o April 24, 2017, 12:00-3:00 pm EST
o April 26, 2017, 12:00-3:00 pm EST
SESSIONS
Session 1: Designing Quality Distance-based Learning: Terminology, Standards, and Tools
Session 1 will introduce participants to distance learning terminology, quality e-Learning
standards for the public health workforce and continuing professional education, and low- or
no-cost technology tools that can be used in e-Learning. Participants will have an opportunity
to explore some of the technology tools presented and learn about their potential uses,
advantages and disadvantages.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Define distance learning terminology.
2. Describe e-Learning standards for public health workforce continuing professional
education.
3. Research technology tools for inclusion in distance-based instruction.
4. Assess personal learning style.
5. Critique distance-based trainings using e-Learning standards.

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Session 2: Teaching and Assessment Strategies
Session 2 will introduce participants to teaching and assessment strategies used in distance
learning environments. Working in small groups, participants will have an opportunity to
identify teaching and assessment strategies for a variety of scenarios.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify distance-based teaching and assessment strategies for instruction.
2. Develop an initial instructional plan for a public health topic, that includes:
- course description;
- learning objectives; and
- teaching and assessment strategies.
Session 3: Beyond the Basics
Session 3 will introduce participants to advanced topics necessary for the implementation of
distance-based instruction. Topics will include those related to the creation of instruction,
marketing, and implementation of distance-based courses. Working in small groups,
participants will have an opportunity to share their individual plans for instruction and get
feedback from other training participants.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss advanced concepts related to the creation, marketing, and implementation of
distance-based instruction.
2. Use e-Learning standards to provide feedback to others’ initial instructional plans.
3. Develop a plan for a training session related to a public health topic.
Capstone Presentations
Each participant will share a 10 minute presentation of the distance-based training that they
are planning to develop. The presentation will provide an overview of their training and will
include:
• Intended audience
• Topic of learning/training session (description of training)
• Learning objectives
• Teaching strategies
• Assessment strategies
• Technology(ies) to be used
• Areas of challenge
There will be two sessions offered and participants will participate in one of these two sessions.

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DISABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
Disability Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all participants with disabilities are
guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact one
of the course instructors so that they can guide you in determining the process for
documenting, obtaining and using accommodations.
Accessibility
All learners should have access to information on the accessibility of technologies used in
trainings. Below are links to the accessibility statements for the primary technologies used in
the DEAL course:
Adobe Connect: http://www.connectusers.com/tutorials/2008/11/meeting_accessibility/
CourseSites by Blackboard: http://www.blackboard.com/accessibility.aspx
Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/accessibility-features-firefox-make-firefox-and-
we
Google: https://www.google.com/accessibility/all-products-features.html
Microsoft Products: https://www.microsoft.com/enable/default.aspx
Zoom: https://zoom.us/accessibility