Title:
It's Not Rocket Science, or is It? Large Scale Quality Engineering in Distance Learning Programs
Abstract:
ERAU-Worldwide presents its highly-centralized model of distance learning, delivering 200+ turnkey-style online courses, facilitated by 800+ instructors, to 36,000+ students across the globe. How do we ensure instructional quality is pervasive while innovating through emerging technologies and delivery mode diversification? What initiatives can smaller organizations take away and apply?
Extended Abstract:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University serves more than 36,000 online students across the globe, many of whom are military and other non-traditional students, offering 34 undergraduate, graduate, and professional education/workforce certificate programs, presented both online (Blackboard) and via blended delivery modes. Our highly-centralized model of online course production and management produces and maintains more than 200 turnkey-style courses, including several award winners, which all meet the highest quality standards. Courses are designed by faculty members in partnership with an instructional design production team, working together to ensure course goals and learning objectives are achieved. Then, more than 800+ geographically- dispersed instructors are prepared to facilitate the courses and are monitored and coached throughout each course delivery term. With a student satisfaction rate above 85%, how do we ensure that quality is pervasive at every stage in the distance learning process? In addition, how do we innovate and continue to ensure the quality of design and instruction remains our top priority? While it may not be actual rocket science, it is truly an art and a science. This presentation will address components of our distance learning model at ERAU-Worldwide, including administration, course design, instructor professional development, and course delivery, all with a focus on how we assure instructional quality at every stage. We will detail the people and processes used and how we harness Web 2.0, mobile, and cloud technologies to facilitate distance learning administration, teaching, and learning. During the presentation, we'll demonstrate how we use our Web conferencing system, EagleVision (a Saba Centra product) to communicate and collaborate with our students, instructors, and course production/administration staff members. The goals for the presentation include illustrating the methods used to assure quality, lessons learned and best practices, and providing insight into the ERAU-Worldwide distance learning model. In addition, we will give tips and suggestions for how smaller organizations can apply some of our best practices to their own models of distance learning. The audience for this presentation includes institutions exploring alternative models for delivering quality distance education; department chairs and other supervisors of online instructors; and online instructors seeking insight into the design and delivery of high quality courses. Attendees will be encouraged to contribute questions and comments via polls and a Twitter backchat channel to be shared during the Q&A session.