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Thursday, 21 July 2005: 11:15 AM-12:00 PM
Pacific H (San Francisco Marriott)
G-7: Layered Support for Faculty Transitioning to Online Learning Environments
Detailed Description:Faculty who make the transition from traditional classroom-based teaching and learning to online learning environments may need a variety of support in order to be successful. A multi-layered approach to online faculty development was used to help faculty in a college of nursing make such a transition. Three primary aspects of support—formal technical and pedagogical workshops, just-in-time support, and an online community WebCT site—will be discussed, including challenges and rewards.
Presentation Format:Showcase
Topic:Measuring outcomes: Student achievement and course success
Target Audience:Academic Technology Directors, Course Designers, E-learning Managers
Appropriate Audience Level:Beginning or new users of WebCT, Experienced WebCT users
Abstract Text:In the Spring Semester 2004, the College of Nursing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville began the process of moving their RN-BSN completion degree program from the classroom to an online format. Although the majority of faculty who taught in the RN-BSN program had used WebCT with their traditional classes, none had ever taught a fully online course. In addition, a faculty task force was charged with putting the program online within an eight-month period. A multi-layered approach to online faculty development was used to help faculty in the college make a successful transition. Three primary aspects of support—formal technical and pedagogical workshops, just-in-time support, and an online community WebCT site—were viewed as important to the success of the project.

Faculty completed a computer proficiency survey (including WebCT-specific skills) prior to development of the formal training program. The survey results (to be shared in this session) indicated that most faculty were comfortable with basic computer skills but that a majority were less proficient with WebCT. In practice, however, many faculty lacked some basic computer skills that were prerequisite to working successfully with WebCT. The survey data, along with the lead instructional designer's prior experiences with online learning and faculty support, were used to develop training sessions on basic computer skills, WebCT-specific skills, and pedagogical strategies for online learning. These sessions provided faculty with a chance to apply skills in hands-on activities, and perhaps more importantly to discuss issues about online learning. A sense of community developed from these sessions and faculty gradually became more active participants in discourse about online learning. During the development and implementation stages, informal, “just-in-time” support was equally important to faculty success. Many of the lessons offered during workshops were relevant only in these later phases of the process.



Session Leader:Barry N. Scott
University of Alabama in Huntsville

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