How to Ensure Success in Online Learning Programs - Contact North

Presented by Dr. Darcy Hardy, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Blackboard Inc., and former Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas System.

When the pandemic forced colleges and universities to pivot to online – or “remote” – learning in March 2020, many online administrators and faculty where challenged to critically reflect on:

• What matters most in their instruction and support for students?
• What is the appropriate balance between synchronous and asynchronous methodologies?  Or is there one?
• What are our plans to meet the needs of our faculty and their preparedness to teach online?
• Are our “remote” courses meeting our quality standards?
• How do we ensure our students and faculty have access to courses and services?

Many institutions found a way through these challenges, creating new and outstanding learning experiences. Now as we move toward a post-COVID world, institutions are faced with how to be prepared for the new normal. Unfortunately, we can’t define the new normal yet – we don’t know.  But we need to start preparing today for whatever it might be.  Institutions that wait too long will likely suffer in the long run, both from an enrollments and a quality perspective.

As one of the pioneers of flexible and online learning, Dr. Darcy Hardy explores:

• What we’ve learned about online learning during the pandemic.  Has the target audience changed as a result?
• The key topics that should be on every institution’s agenda today
• How to ensure the quality of online programs is elevated in the new normal
• How faculty development should be delivered post-COVID, and why it’s important to rethink what you’re doing now
• Ways to ensure the entire online program is accessible and able to meet the support needs of all students

The key takeaways from this interactive webinar are:

• Five lessons regarding strategic planning necessary to move forward
• Features of high-quality online learning and how to get there
• The need to define future target audiences and how to select programs
• Key policies that will drive academic success through faculty development