Developing a Strategic E-Learning Framework at Estrella Mountain College
This overview outlines the strategic development of E-Learning at Estrella Mountain College. Initiated by a task force co-chaired by Dr. Roger Yohe and Rich Marmon, a yearlong study beginning in Fall 2001 aimed to redefine the college's approach to online education. The process encompassed goal clarification, monthly full meetings, and subgroup discussions, leading to actionable recommendations across various areas, including pedagogy and student support services. The initiative has enhanced institutional commitment to E-Learning and laid a roadmap for its sustainable evolution.
Developing a Strategic E-Learning Framework at Estrella Mountain College
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Presentation Transcript
Developing a Campus Strategy for E-Learning Dr. Roger Yohe Director, Center for Teaching and Learning Rich Marmon Director, Planning and Technology Services
Overview • Timeline • Process • Recommendations • Next Steps • Post Mortem • College Background • Initial Environment • A New Direction • The Charge • Call for Membership
Estrella Mountain Background • Relatively New College – Opened in 1992 • Phoenix Metro Area – 10th member of the Maricopa Community Colleges • Diverse Student and Service Area Population – Fall enrollment about 5,000 credit students • Rapidly Growing Service Area and Student Population • www.estrellamountain.edu/virtualtour
Initial E-Learning Environment Pre-Fall 2001 • Self-paced courses • Some use of Blackboard • “Underground” online courses • Personal Web sites • No commonality or standardization
A New Direction Fall 2001 • President chartered the E-Learning Task Force • Yearlong study • Goal – Develop college strategies for E-Learning and provide implementation recommendations
The Charge • Task Force Co-Chairs along with senior college leadership developed formal charge statement • Allowed taking time to really think about what we were about to do • Allowed clarification of goals • Anticipated outcome areas • This turned out to be a real key to success of effort
Call for Membership • Goal was to have mostly faculty • Allowed volunteers but certain areas were targeted • Incentive for faculty was personal interest and contract pay • Wound up with a mostly motivated group
Timeline • Effort broken up into four stages • Co-chairs were very disciplined to ensure effort stayed on track time wise
The Process • Full Task Force meetings every month • Subgroup meetings with Co-Chairs in between full meetings • These turned out to be crucial to success • Guest speakers at every full Task Force meeting • Periodic reports to Deans and President
Recommendations • Delivered Preliminary Report containing: • E-Learning Vision • E-Learning Definition • Institutional E-Learning Goals • Institutional Recommendations • Specific recommendations in 7 specific areas (Pedagogy, Curriculum Development, Use of Hardware and Software Tools, Faculty Support, Other Providers, Marketing, Student Support Services) • Developed Web site with full documentation of research and other backup data for recommendations www.estrellamountain.edu/academics/Elearning
Next Steps • Task Force has finished its work • Executive group now making implementation recommendations to President • Some reorganization has occurred to better prepare the college to support E-Learning efforts • Some hybrid courses will debut in Spring 2003
Post Mortem • A very successful effort – had a beginning and end with defined results • Key effects: • Raised cognizance of the institutional commitment to E-Learning • Provided a solid roadmap of how to move forward • Development of E-Learning on our campus will be an evolving effort
