Distance Learning Work Group
November 10, 2011
Attending: Penny Sermons, Tricia Woolard, Judith Meyer, Saundra Pinkham, Steve Smith, James Casey, Jennifer Sullivan
The Distance Learning Work Group met November 10, 2011, at 2:30pm, in the Media Center. Penny Sermons welcomed the group.
Topics of Discussion:
US Department of Education
Penny shared information she obtained from the NC3ADL conference with the group about auditing issues stating that the US Department of Education has begun to more actively exercise its regulatory authority…primarily motivated out of concerns about for-profit institutions and financial aid.
State Authorization – authorization required to offer courses in other states – tied to Financial Aid. BCCC does not offer any courses out of state at this time but we do have out of state students taking classes.
In order to remain eligible for federal student aid funds, postsecondary institutions that offer courses to students in a state in which they are not physically located must meet that state’s requirements for educational institutions operating in the state, and must be able to document the authorization on request of the Department of Education. The above excerpt is taken from College 2.0: Transforming Higher Education through Greater Innovation and Smarter Regulation.
An institution has to be authorized to offer postsecondary education by the state in which it was physically located.
In essence, the new regulation clearly tied, for the first time, the financial aid eligibility of students in distance learning programs to whether their institutions are authorized by the state in which the student, not the institution, is located.4B
BCCC – seeking guidance from NCCCS
Documentation of attendance
Participation with the “Introductory Quiz” was well received. Only two online classes did not participate. Penny emphasized how important it is that we adhere to the process for auditing. We have to have this documentation.
According to the North Carolina Administrative Code, 2D.0323, the basis for determining class membership in distance learning classes at the 10% point can be accomplished by: Submission of a written assignment or submission of an examination.
Last day of attendance - US Department of Education
In addition, the regulations impose a new standard on distance learning programs for determining the last date of attendance for students who unofficially withdraw from their courses before completion. Previously, institutions could use the last date on which an online student logged in to the institution’s learning management system or online course as the withdrawal date and could calculate how much of the student’s financial aid to return to the department on that basis. Now an online student has to have actively participated in an academically meaningful class or faculty discussion for an online contact to qualify in establishing the last date of attendance.
Guidelines and procedures are available on the Blackboard Instructor’s page on the website. http://www.beaufortccc.edu/LRC/Distance/Instructors/instructor.htm
Penny also shared information about what auditors look for in a class. The auditor stated that hybrid classes 51% primary delivery should be online. Also, it is a red flag when a hybrid class report all students present in a class on the first day. 10% dates can also be changed due to inclement weather.
Proctoring services
Penny stated that BCCC does a lot of proctoring for ECU students. Students are charged $20.00 to have a test proctored. BCCC students are not charged. They are glad to offer test proctoring services.
Student ID
Student passwords will be changed to their student ID starting this summer.
Organization of courses
Tricia stated that she was approached by Blackboard students who expressed their concerns with the quality of blackboard courses at BCCC. Suggestions were discussed on how to improve the quality of courses (wrong date, double buttons, confusion about where to navigate, etc.). Students often think it is something they are doing wrong. System office is talking about a faculty certification that will be available for online teachers. Concerns about the lack of instant feedback between student and teacher were also discussed. Penny encouraged the group to offer any suggestions to help improve the process of reviewing courses. BCCC continues to be in a four year contract with Blackboard.
Mobile Technology in distance learning
Tricia stated that the Goggle Analytics report for BCCC indicates that mobile devices are becoming more popular to access the website and online courses. Penny and Tricia will be offering a Mobile device workshop offered November 29, 2011 at noon. More information will follow. This workshop will cover using smartphones, iPods and iPads for the classroom.
Penny informed the group about the concerns about financial aid fraud. This seems to be a growing concern in North Carolina. The group shared their experience with financial aid and how easy it was to get the funding and also how easy it was to get in debt. Monies were often used to buy other luxury things other than school related items. Overall financial aid has been very helpful for students.
The group was asked to fill out a wish list that may offer insight on distance learning needs in the future.
Round Robin Discussion
Penny asked the group to please share any information that could help improve Distance Learning at BCCC. There is a Distance Learning Work Group Blog available at http://dlworkgroup.blogspot.com/
Next meeting will be announced.
Adjourned: 3:30
