Given I do not work for an institution, I truly cannot answer this question. If I did work for an institution, though, I imagine one of the new policies regarding online delivery of courses and programs would be centered around faculty "office hours from x to x on M/W/F or T/Th" to answer questions via chat and/or telephone. For distance learners, I think it is important to be able to have a real back/forth dialogue with your instructor from time to time. Not only will it help ensure learning objectives are being met, but making yourself available to students also… >>>

The importance of identifying and following through with training necessary to make students, faculty, and staff comfortable with learning management systems, time management, and communication tools cannot be emphasized enough. Many school leaders identify training needs, but don't a) require training; b) provide staff time to manage, audit, or update training; and c) evaluate training to see if it helps. Anticipate some resistance to training- it represents change. Starting a successful online program is a change. Refresh the leadership team with strategies for managing change. Explore this useful website. Many learning management systems provide online training tools or on-site training.… >>>