DEAC - March 3 Report

Tuesday the Distance Education Action Committee (DEAC) met to begin working through the Strategic Plan that was begun in 2000 and has remained virtually untouched since then. We were able whittle down 27 major tasks to 5 major categories that we can start working on. These categories break out the major components of a successful campus and district wide Distance Education program with the goal being provide full online degree programs at Fullerton College. The college is already “approved,” meaning we are offering 50% of our required courses online, but before the District decides to apply for this standing the big hurdle to overcome is Coordination (district wide, campus wide, as well as coordination between departments).

The exact issues we are discussing in our Online Taskforce meetings are the same issues being discussed at this level – they are aware of the issues, but there are severe gaps in the foundation of online education at our campus that first need to be addressed. Obviously, no forward momentum has been gained since 2000. We are behind the curve by several years and the feeling I have is the District sees the financial gain of D.E. and wants the program to be a priority goal this year. However, there was also a feeling that the program must grow from within – there must be a real swelling of interest by instructors to teach these courses (and there is a sense that this IS happening. The “How to Teach Online” seminars have been full and extra classes added. Many feel the time is right).

A major point currently being worked out is who will be making decisions about D.E. (such as off site hosting, etc), the Campus or District?

The Chancellor’s thought is that Cypress and Fullerton D.E. programs must be consistent and centralized. Part of that discussion is the problematic CE6 - what are we going forward with and let's go forward with something that is stable and BIG (successful). A model discussed was San Diego College which centralized its program and is experiencing improved enrollment and a very successful program. An interesting point, among many others, is that they implement a required intake sheet from online students surveying their technological skills (and perhaps other basic skills as well?) and another outtake sheet at the end of the semester AND at any point that a student drops the course. Those dropped students may provide very valuable information that we are not collecting here.

I asked about aquiring “retention and success” numbers from the Chancellor and Carol Mattson stated the Chancellor’s numbers on our campus (they are not broken out by division) are not accurate because there are unclear controls on how information is collected and who is being asked to submit those numbers (have any of you submitted numbers?). She is working on getting me what Fullerton is using as measurements of online success.

I found the meeting very valuable and we accomplished A LOT during our time together. Please remember these meetings are by open invite if you would like to attend. The next meeting is Tuesday, March 10th, 3:30 at the TEC.