Section 202 - Distance Learning

Administration

Ensure that courses, certificates, diplomas, and degrees are authorized by MnSCU and HLC (formerly NCA) in accordance with established institutional procedures, and meet their quality standards at the time of implementation and on an on-going basis.
Commit ongoing financial and technical support for the continuation of the program or course for a period of time reasonable and sufficient for students to complete the course or program.
Support/provide faculty development/training.

Provide adequate equipment, software, support, and communications access to faculty teaching via DL to support interaction with students, institutions, and other faculty.
Integrate and support e-student services as available/applicable in accordance with MnSCU guidelines.
Provide reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities.
Ensure data integrity and data privacy for students.
Provide a secure testing environment.
Establish email accounts for online students in a timely manner to facilitate communication between instructor and student.

Close each online course the working day prior to the class start.
Add students to the course as requested by the instructor if the student formally requests permission to enroll in the instructor’s course.

a. Schedule a DL course with the Provost at the same time as traditional face-to-face courses indicating the media code.

Courses that use Interactive television (ITV) to connect teachers and students. Media Codes 04 (sending) and 08 (receiving).
Courses that use the Internet to deliver the entire course, perhaps requiring only a cohort meeting at the beginning or once during the course. Media Code 03
Courses that use the Internet to deliver the majority of a course. Less than 50% on-site attendance is required. Media Code 09.
Courses that use the Internet to supplement a course. No reduced seat time. Media Code 10.

b. Seek course approval prior to scheduling an online DL course (media code 3 or 9).

Use the Online Curriculum Worksheet and the accompanying procedure while developing an online course, working in conjunction with the Provost.
Submit a completed Online Curriculum Worksheet to the Provost for each new course being offered prior to scheduling the course.

c. Demonstrate technological competence prior to the course offering.

Any faculty member who teaches via ITV must seek training from IT and work with faculty experienced in using it until s/he feels comfortable teaching with the technology.
Any faculty member who teaches online must seek pedagogical training (provided online) and IMS training (provided in house or online) before teaching online.

d. Control the addition of students after the course starts.

Any student who wishes to add an online course after the class starts will need to seek the instructor’s permission.
The instructor shall discuss with the student why s/he wants to take the course and explain the steps s/he will need to take to catch up and stay on track.
If both parties agree, then the instructor shall:
- Inform the student that s/he will need to be manually registered and added to the courseware database, which will take 24-48 hours.
- Send one email to the a) registrar’s office, b) IT, and c) the IMS administrator at the end of each day to request that X student/s be added to Y course/s.

e. Agree to uphold the following standards for online courses (Media code 03 or 09):

Ensure that the course is pedagogically sound in that:
- The academic standards are the same as those for courses delivered additionally.
- Learning outcomes are appropriate to the rigor and breadth of the award granted, and is accurately and appropriately measured.
- Activities teach students to assess the validity of digital resources.
- The course is coherent and complete.
- Student-to-student interaction is built into the curriculum.
Provide a detailed course outline to future students that is accessible via the Internet
Orient each student to the instructor, to the other students, to the course room (navigation), and expectations using at least two different communication methods:
- Post and facilitate discussion threads
- Phone each student
- Hold synchronous online meetings
- Hold an on-campus orientation with students
Humanize the course by building relationships with students (e.g., call students, use discussion threads to facilitate chit chat, develop teams).
Provide timely (within 1 working day) and constructive feedback to students' assignments and questions.
Integrate continuous assessment components into e-learning courses by directing and encouraging students to complete the Online learning process evaluation at the end of each course.