Expanding the Possibilities: Reflecting on the Move to a Fully Online Degree Program Five Years Later

Start

1-31-2019 10:15 AM

End

1-31-2019 11:30 AM

Short Description

This presentation explores the lessons learned and the challenges that still exist in hosting a fully online graduate program. Key reflections will be shared around three topics; faculty support and training, course design, and program vision and sustainability. The goal of this presentation is to create a space for interactive dialogue with participants around issues common to many online degree programs hosted in universities. Examples of course templates, program materials, and training plans will be shared as talking points within the presentation.

Abstract

This presentation explores the lessons learned and the challenges that still exist in hosting a fully online graduate program. Key reflections will be shared around three topics; faculty support and training, course design, and program vision and sustainability. This graduate program transitioned from a face-to-face program to a fully online degree following a faculty vote within a department. However, there was, and continues to be, a myriad of experience from faculty in online teaching and design. With that in mind, a partnership with the Center for eLearning (CeL) was formed and all core and specialization courses taught by the department underwent development through the instructional design team at CeL using a uniform template. While this has helped to ensure consistent course design in many of the courses in the program, we continue to find challenges in ensuring quality execution of those courses. How do we agree on what constitutes effective online pedagogy as a faculty while still respecting individual strengths and style? As the program has evolved, the original vision (getting all courses through the eDesign program in CeL) has been achieved and current initiatives like the use of OER, QM program certification, and advanced faculty training are being explored as next steps. The goal of this presentation is to create a space for interactive dialogue with participants around issues common to many online degree programs hosted in universities.

Format

Concurrent Session

Institutional level targeted

Higher Ed

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Jan 31st, 10:15 AM Jan 31st, 11:30 AM

Expanding the Possibilities: Reflecting on the Move to a Fully Online Degree Program Five Years Later

This presentation explores the lessons learned and the challenges that still exist in hosting a fully online graduate program. Key reflections will be shared around three topics; faculty support and training, course design, and program vision and sustainability. This graduate program transitioned from a face-to-face program to a fully online degree following a faculty vote within a department. However, there was, and continues to be, a myriad of experience from faculty in online teaching and design. With that in mind, a partnership with the Center for eLearning (CeL) was formed and all core and specialization courses taught by the department underwent development through the instructional design team at CeL using a uniform template. While this has helped to ensure consistent course design in many of the courses in the program, we continue to find challenges in ensuring quality execution of those courses. How do we agree on what constitutes effective online pedagogy as a faculty while still respecting individual strengths and style? As the program has evolved, the original vision (getting all courses through the eDesign program in CeL) has been achieved and current initiatives like the use of OER, QM program certification, and advanced faculty training are being explored as next steps. The goal of this presentation is to create a space for interactive dialogue with participants around issues common to many online degree programs hosted in universities.