REPORT ON DISTANCE EDUCATION CLASSES FOR AIC COMMITTEE

Submitted by Pat Kennedy

I used for the basis of my information three sources plus personal experience in teaching distance education courses. The first source of my information was based on a lengthy discussion with Judy Kirkpatrick who is a language arts instructor and a long-time distance ed supporter and teacher. She serves on the UHCC DE committee. In addition to our talk she directed me to a web site where problems encountered by distance ed teachers was discussed. Later she sent me a summary of comments from various DE faculty. The second source came from Kay Porter who also serves on the UHCC DE committee. She sent me a brochure entitled BEST PRACTICES, and essential guideline for UHCC e-learn courses. The third source of information was the report that Stacy Thomas sent to the ADP committee at Leeward. My fourth source of information was bases on my own experiences in teaching DE ‘live’ programs and in later semesters in teaching the replays for History 151 and History 152, world civilizations courses. I could literally write pages about my personal experiences; however I have culled through the various recommendations and my experiences and have chosen what I think is of the most importance.

l. I believe that the administration needs to be aware of the fact that technology is constantly changing. New technology does not necessarily mean faster methods of teaching. As a matter of fact, the web ct program that the Leeward media center and Olelo wants teachers to use takes much more of an instructor’s time than the simple playbacks of filmed semesters that were used in the past.

2. There needs to be a more equitable pay scale. It is pretty much a free-for-all as far as the student caps on classes and what is paid to the instructor. Some instructors in the past have had limited enrollments while others (such as History 151 and 152 classes) have had heavy loads. It is not fair for the teachers or for the students in those heavily enrolled classes.

3. It should be open information as to what the enrollments and student caps are. At this stage, the information is heavily ‘classified’. There must be an open and fair discussion of the problem.

4. I believe that a committee to study the feasibility of the establishment of a DE Virtual University.

5. There should be a single DE Chair for the UH-system.

6. Establish coordinators for DE on each campus.

7. Develop various models of online cable classes to be used as guidelines and training models.

8. Create support for training faculty.

9. Provide on-line tutors and academic advisors.

10. Create a committee to help evaluate courses and instructors.

11. Establish a method of collecting student evaluations.

12. At registration, ensure that students realize that they MUST communicate with the teacher. They MUST have access to computers and be willing to use them.

13. There should be a mandatory orientation session for students. They should submit proof that they have ‘attended’ either on-line or in person.

14. The college needs to support the DE teacher with technical advice and new (or newer) computers) that work.