Senate Working Group on Online

EducationInterim Report to Faculty SenateNovember 14, 2012

Working Group Members• David Alexander (Chair)• Margaret Beier• John Greiner • Don Johnson• Kirsten Ostherr• Fred Oswald • Matt Taylor (Implementation WG liaison)

Working Group ChargeTo evaluate the costs and benefits related to developing a strong online instructional presence at Rice, to issue recommendations on its implementation, and to address general policy issues related to online communication.

Key Points•No policy recommendations are being made at this time

• Focused on development of guiding principles

• Identification of key issues common to online pedagogy

•Objective consideration of current approaches

•Drinking from the firehoseSWG is working on processing vast quantities of info in a rapidly changing environment. Ideally we would do so at a slower pace, but we also need to be responsive to the fact that if we wait, there are some advantages to be lost.

Guiding Principles

•Quality of online components is paramount

•Enhance students' on-campus experience

•Maintain key elements of Rice uniqueness

•Protect and enhance Rice brand

•Provide broader access to high-quality education

Major Common Issues

•Certification

•Transfer credit

•Accreditation

• Investment in resources for development, implementation, oversight and improvement

•Flexibility to respond to rapidly changing environment

Rice OnlineRice should develop a multifaceted high-quality online presence that meets the needs of the students on campus and that, where appropriate, can be scaled for use by a broader population off-campus.  This can be realized by the combination of an investment in and enhancement of existing resources and selective partnership with outside entities.

Potential Partners• Coursera• 2U: Professional Masters & Semester Online• edX• Others

Prof. Masters degree program

Semester OnlineSync. & Async content

Innovative interfaceSmall class sizesMultiple sections

Exclusive partnership for specific program

Growth in # of sections10 consortium members

$100 M in Venture Capital

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WG plans for Spring semester• Identify required resources

•Define 'Rice quality' wrt online presence

•Develop guiding principles and values

•Consider creation of a Faculty Advisory Committee

•Make recommendations on resources by February

•Make general recommendations by end of semester