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Online Learning:Keys to success of the SUNYLearning Network

Alexandra M. PickettAssociate DirectorSUNY Learning Network

Managing Quality Teaching in Higher Education5-6 December 2011Mexicali, Mexico

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OverviewThis presentation will describe:

• An introduction and background of theSUNY Learning Network (SLN).

• The 5 key elements in SLN’s successful award-winning onlinefaculty development program.

• Share some of our challenges, lessons learned, and bestpractices.

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IntroductionState University of New York

• The single largest public university in the nation440,000 students32,000 faculty

• 64 Campus13 University Centers & Doctoral Degree Granting Institutions13 University Colleges 8 Colleges of Technology30 Community Colleges

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The SUNY Learning Network2010-2011 academic year…

• 35 of the 64 SUNY campuses participate in SLN

• 5,000+ online faculty trained

• 166 fully online degree programs offered

• 100,000+ online student enrollments

• 7,000+ fully online courses

• High levels of student & faculty satisfaction

• CC account for 67% of student enrollments

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SUNY Learning Network Awards• 2010 Sloan-C Effective Practices Award

• 2009 NUTN Distance Education Innovation Award

• 2006 USDLA 21st Century Best Practice Award - OnlineTechnology - Higher Education

• 2003 Sloan-C Award for excellence in Online Learning

• 2002 Sloan-C award for Excellence in Institution-Wide ALNProgramming

• 2001 Sloan-C award for Excellence in ALN Faculty Development

• 2000 EDUCAUSE Award for Systemic Programming Teachingand Learning

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SUNY Learning NetworkMembership and Services• Education Support

• LMS Hosting and Applications Services

• HelpDesk

• Marketing

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SUNY Learning Network BackgroundSUNY Campus Responsibilities

• Academic Authority

• Standard Student Services

• Receive and Mange Revenue

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Growth in Online Courses

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Growth in Online Degree Programs & Certificates

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Growth in Online Enrollments

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SUNY Learning Network BackgroundHistory

• 1994-95 research & development period.Objective: what works?

• 1995-99 synthesis of models processes & procedures,infrastructure, resources, supports and services.Objective: will it scale?

• 1999-06 full-scale production.Objective: institutionalization

• 2006-09 migration and evolution.Objective: sustainability2009 - in the last month of our migration BB buys ANGEL.

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SUNY Learning Network TodayCurrent Challenges

• 35 member campuses

• Migration

• Decentralization

• Supporting other LMSs

• New SLAs

• Economy/Having to do more with less

• New Chancellor/new initiatives

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SUNY Learning Network FutureEvolution

• Blended learning

• Web 2.0

• Open educational resources (OER)

• System-wide programs consolidation

• System-wide Innovative Instruction initiatives

• Supporting other LMSs

• mlearning

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SUNY Learning Network FacultyDevelopmentHistorical Roadmap

• Objective: to develop large numbers of faculty

• Required: a scaleable and replicable process

• Result: comprehensive faculty development processes

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SUNY Learning Network’s 5 KeyElements to SuccessLessons Learned

1. Models

2. Support

3. Approaches

4. Evaluation

5. Quality

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SLN Key Element 1: ModelsChallenges:

Scalability

Faculty resistance and buy-in

Consistency in course quality and student experience

• 4-stage online faculty development process• 7 step online course design process

Research-based and CoI as theoretical foundation

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Critical inquiry in a text-based environment,Garrison, Anderson, Rourke, Archer (2002)

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http://bit.ly/sqSiaK

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SLN Key Element 2: SupportChallenges:

Limited staff & resources

Exponential growth

Success

• Created new roles Online instructional designer Online academic coordinator

• Centralized student HD expanded to include faculty & IDs

• Created community

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SLN Key Element 3: ApproachesChallenges:

No CMS

Limited staff & resources

Exponential growth

• Home grown CMS

• Faculty-centered approach, shared effective practices

• Automation = autonomy = empowerment

• Research based: Social constructivism, communities ofpractice, learner-centered, learning-focused, adult learningtheory

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SLN Key Element 4: EvaluateChallenges:

Proof of concept

Scalability

Institutionalization

Sustainability

• Continuous Improvement

Online teaching and learning effectivenesshttp://sln.suny.edu/teachingsurvey/

Programmatic effectivenesshttp://bit.ly/qualityscorecard

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SLN Key Element 5: QualityChallenges:

Quality on a large scale

Growing numbers of “experienced” online faculty

• Course models, templates, standards

• Exemplar faculty and courses

• Communities of practice - Share what you know!

• A culture that views online faculty development/online coursedesign as an iterative process

http://slnfacultyonline.ning.com - JOIN!

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Questions???

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Associate DirectorSUNY Learning Networkalexandra.pickett@suny.eduhttp://sln.suny.edu

Alexandra M. Pickett