eLearning+best+practices

Elearning is a comprehensive term for online-mediated instruction. Elearning can be segmented into three types of educational activities. · **Online** courses are conducted completely on the web. · **Hybrid** **or Blended** courses replace some – but not all – classroom time with online learning. · **Web-enhanced** courses meet in regular class sessions, but use online resources for additional interaction, posting of assignments and course materials Philosophical Statement ** Elearning supports learners and faculty using digital, mobile, and networked technologies to connect subject matter, expert opinion, and other learners in an educational environment that allows for the sharing and re-mixing of content, data and ideas in new ways. Elearning supports new learning models, in flexible, anytime, anywhere learning spaces which increases access to educational opportunities and has the potential to improve the educational experience of all students. Best Practices ** Elearning quality is affected by faculty preparation, student services, technology implementation and support, learning resources, organizational commitment, and data management and use.
 * Definition **

To improve access to education, best practice provides for professional technology development for faculty and staff, creative enrollment strategies, more technology enhanced public spaces, improving learners technology and information literacy skills , logical course enrollment caps, emergency resources for students who need "immediate but temporary assistance" , and to provide mentors to help students new to online learning.

To promote a system of rigorous assessment of courses, curricula and systemic outcomes that will enable sustained development and generational responses to student needs, institutional growth and new technologies.


 * One affordance:** Here's a thought -- online assessment of courses and learning can be more formative in the e-setting.

Technical support best practice provides for a familiar connection between support and user, an effective ticketing system, consistently good response times, an analysis to determine if internal or vendor provided support is appropriate, hour of operation beyond the 8-5 work day, consistent and effective intact response process, support of “modern” technology, and multiple methods of getting support.

Online student service best practice provides multiple access avenues for support, that all student services available in-person on a campus should also be available online, comprehensive self-help options, and an effective means of making support services known to all students.

Learning resource best practice use provides students and faculty with substantial choice when building learning spaces, opportunities for sharing the abundant digital learning resources that are currently locked up and either not used or not shared, opportunities for faculty to select and/or change the parts that they want when designing their course and students to pick and choose the pieces they want when learning.

Best practice in data management provides detailed information that allows colleges and universities to gauge current activity, positively affect student learning, and improve educational and financial efficiencies.

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__(b) **Review and, to the extent necessary,** **establish standards and best practices regarding electronically distributed learning ** and related support services including online help desk support, advising, mentoring, counseling, and tutoring;

**Lead:** Dave Cillay

**Definition

Philosophical Statement

Best Practices

Resources**

The work group said this is an__ umbrella category __for all of the sections. Please include ideas and resources that relate to general eLearning best practices.

[possible definition for:] ** eLearning ** is learners and faculty using the unique affordances of digital, networked technologies to connect with other learners to share and re-mix content, data and ideas in new ways, with new learning models, in flexible, anytime, anywhere learning spaces. eLearning technologies support learning for everyone -- not just students at a geographical distance from the college.

[possible definitions for:] **Types of eLearning**__
 * **Online** courses are conducted completely on the web.
 * **Hybrid** **or Blended** courses replace some – but not all – classroom time with online learning.
 * **Web-enhanced** courses meet in regular class sessions, but use online resources for additional interaction, posting of assignments and course materials.

and__ > **Reports** > Good practice in undergraduate education: > **Strategic Plans** (that include eLearning)
 * Best Practices:**
 * Most best practices for online & blended / hybrid learning are also best practices for in-class learning.
 * reference new Dept of Ed study (Cable will add)
 * online has slightly better student learning outcomes ... but is because of more attention to good instructional design and higher levels of interactivity with students ... not because of the medium. Though the digital, network space does have some unique affordances that allow for creative design.
 * Hybrid learning (some online, some face-to-face) - SLOAN study? (get report)
 * on the benefits of hybrid learning, a research bulletin from Educause
 * seven years of research at Univ. of Central FLA finding that blended courses have potential to increase student learning and lower attrition rates
 * Excellent student and faculty professional development and technical support.
 * Make sure intellectual property rights are known and clear to all.
 * All digital content should be ADA and WC3 compliant (e.g., readable by a JAWS screen reader)
 * Leverage unique affordances of digital networked technologies in the instructional design of courses
 * eLearning technologies and help desk are online and available 24/7/365
 * Use best practice instructional design rubrics (e.g., Quality Matters, CSU Chico, & OCEP) when developing online and hybrid / blended courses.
 * Advertise the time commitment of online and hybrid / blended courses - so students have proper expectations
 * Provide "are you ready to learn online" tools and free online courses to prepare students to learn online.
 * Is Online Learning For Me?(WAOL survey)
 * Students should have access to both
 * a customizable portal interface (with single-sign-on) to all their eLearning, student services and help desk tools
 * access to the same information via open standards / web services (RSS, widgets, plug-ins)
 * All stakeholders should be "at the table" when discussing eLearning and student services topics, solutions, and resources.
 * Teaching**:** This is a primer on best instructional practice for online learning [|**http://cnx.org/content/col10453/1.2**] A focus on building a sense of community
 * Student authentication: []
 * Seven Principles for Good Practice(Chickering & Gamson)
 * 1) encourages contact between students and faculty,
 * 2) develops reciprocity and cooperation among students,
 * 3) encourages active learning,
 * 4) gives prompt feedback,
 * 5) emphasizes time on task,
 * 6) communicates high expectations, and
 * 7) respects diverse talents and ways of learning.
 * Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever (Chickering & Erhmann)
 * OSPI Report - Judy will add
 * WA Community & Technical Colleges' Strategic Technology Plan