meeting the professional development and social connectedness needs of a dispersed, online faculty
TRANSCRIPT
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Meeting the professional development and social
connectedness needs of a dispersed, online faculty
Allen C. Clarkson, Western Governors University - presenter
Adrian Zappala - contributor
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Overview
• University Profile
• History of Development Initiative
• Tools
• Effectiveness Measures2
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Western Governors University• see session 185• History
– founded 1997– four Colleges (Teacher Education, Business,
Information Technology, Health Professions)– competency-based
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Western Governors University• 16,000+ students
– in 50 states – “several” foreign territories (military deployment)
• 225+ Faculty members– 2 physical offices (Salt Lake City, Phoenix)– > 75% work remotely
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Dispersed Faculty
• Challenges:– Attention Economics
• the “Go Home”
• isolation
– Audience Engagement• Consistency, Rumor, Guesswork (not unique)
• Rapid Growth5
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Development Initiative• Start the conversation
– Training– Communication– Professional Development
• Keep the conversation going– Faculty social needs– University effectiveness needs
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Tools• Learning Community
– Jive software platform– presence
• In-Service Sessions– Adobe Connect platform– consistent schedule
• Communications– We’ve Got Updates! and Breaking News!– reminder emails
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Effectiveness Measures• University Performance Metrics
–Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)–Student Satisfaction (SAT)–Retention at 13+ months (RET)
• Internal Student Services Metrics– Breakdown of Service– Service Lapse– Assistance– Feedback
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Progress• Over the 12 month period ending 9/30/2009:
– Faculty Impact• 15% faculty growth• Attendance and Participation up 75% (growth-adjusted)
– Student Impact• Breakdown of Service & Service Lapse down 50%• Assistance down 15%• Feedback up (data currently statistically shallow)
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Initial Conclusions• Communicate
– clear, consistent, coherent• Be Available
– asynchronous, accessible, alert• Support
– synchronous, scheduled, steady
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