The training that is required for our online course consisted of the faculty that are involved in course set up and maintenance, and the students involved in course participation. The initial training was the faculty participation in the the course and progrssion from one level to the next. The students are assisted in navigating through a practice course module, the course overview, the discussion board and sample assignments before they are enrolled and accountable for course work. The initial training for the faculty was conducted by the faculty support department of the product company and the student training is conducted by the faculty assigned to the set up and course configuration.
We have found this to be effective and gives the faculty insight into which students will need more supervision and direction, in this way there is less frustration and more productivity on the part of both the students and the faculty.
The Admissions department is currently Identifying guidelines for developing a plan to address training needs, while faculty, and IT department is identifying key components of effective coaching, as well as, sequencing the steps in this coaching process, overcoming communication barriers and establishing security issues.
We need to develop an online Web portal which would present our institution's online learning environment and specific classes, certificate, or degree program offerings in a way that answers students' questions.
Institutions appear professional and promise quality online education by developing such an online information portal that includes specifics about the online learning environment and the different online programs. This online information interface makes a lot of sense because students want to study online.
There is an advantage at accessing answers to questions online because there's no need for students to make the extra step of requesting written information that will take some time to reach their homes. While waiting for the printed material, they already could have found another online program and institution that displayed their descriptions completely online.
Right now we have a courses coordinator in charge of doing all the necessary research. I'm sure many more poeple will be needed to assist in the project as we move along. So far his initial startup was not up to par due to technical difficulties, so he is mainly focusing in working out the bugs on that particular subject.
We need continuing training in the changes in the LMS, as well as refresher courses to stay up to speed on the old ones. Computer learning atrophies very rapidly without use.
Training is a crucial part in the success of delivering online programs. In our institution, we provide training for our our faculty, content experts, instructional designers, retention specialists, academic advisers, program chairs, and admissions representatives. It's important that everyone understand the programs and courses of study we offer, as well as how they are developed and delivered via the online modality.
Our Online Department, headed by the Online Education Director is responsible for implementing the training.
I absolutely agree with you in your recommendation that admissions people complete an online course. They are one group that is often neglected when it comes to training in the Online Learning Environment.
Only instructors are required to do training for on-line courses. The students prior to enrollment take a petite training course but it is more geared toward technology knowledge and not the specific LMS product.
I think it is a great idea to have the admissions staff be familiar with the LMS so they can intelligently discuss it with prospective students. I am going to suggest that our campus implements that training.
All faculty and administration should have some form of training in all departments. In the Online education world, all sectors of the institution are connected and knowing how your place is connected to all others is extremely beneficial. The more knowledgeable an employee is, the better they can serve the student population.
At my institution, there are several different departments and each department director is responsible for training. The Director of Education is responsible for training all new Program Coordinators. They in turn train all new online faculty. The Admissions Coordinators are trained by their Director and the same for Financial Aid and so on. I think it would be beneficial for my institution to implement cross-training with all departments. Even a high level view of the processes that each department handles would help other better understand the mission of the institution and how they can better improve the processes.
Our institution implements training on our Online Delivery System for our students, faculty, content experts, our development managers, and retention experts.
Training includes use of the LMS in detail, how attendance is taken, how to conduct conversations online, and how the content will be delivered.
Specifically, our Online Development Department facilitates a detailed, hands-on Orientation for all new online students and all online faculty.
Since we do not offer online courses in our Campus at the time I can only provide my opinion on the subject.
I would say that faculty, staff, admission officers, and students should all be trained. The person(s) designated to offer the online course(s) should be one with excellent communication skills, and highly motivated. This is the key to keeping students engaged and motivated and at the same time help them reach a rewarding experience with the course.
Currently we have individuals with high technology sills in our Campus. With very little training we could get the institution in the right path to implement online courses in the near future.
The Business Education Director along with the program directors in each field, and the computer teachers would be responsible for the implementation of the online courses and the necessary training.
We have developed a system of routine and ongoing training for the faculty, staff and students at our institution.
The faculty complete a five-week training session for online course delivery before they receive any classroom assignments. They learn to set up their online classroom, conduct live sessions through the Avacast system, and manage their student body including the gradebook, discussion forum, attendance and student communications. The training is conducted by the manager of learning resources.
The staff members of the Registrar office and the Student Services staff learn how to monitor student activity, grades and student conduct. They receive on-the -job training from peer mentors.
The students are all given in-depth individual orientations by their student service advisors. This orientation provides the information students need to navigate their virtual classroom, attend live sessions, communicate with their faculty and submit their assignments.
Additionally, the manager of learning resources conducts trainings for administrative staff upon request.
We have a mandatory 3-day training program before instructors are allowed to teach online or hybrid sections(free and on-campus, offered every semester). This is a great system. I think the training could be improved a little by the suggestion offered in the course--have instructors take an online course. I know this would have helped me greatly make it more real and practical. I also don't think we offer training for admissions and marketing, and I will recommend that.
New students are the one that need more training, moreover at the begin with Black Board. Academic department normally are the one that train then.
At my institution both faculty and students were trained to use the program. There were also recorded tutorials, as welll as an IT department that one could call for assistance.
Training needs to be school wide including admissions and students. Training should be targeted by department and trained by an expert in each. Outside training and cross training so all have a coordinated response if asked. Also a directory of who and how to get additional information should be the standard operating procedure.
Training is the key to the success of an online program. Faculty, staff and students all need to know and be trained on how to communicate. In addition, all stakeholders need a basic understanding of the platform, policies and procedures.
Because it is important to match the student with the correct learning style, once you have decided to embark on the on-line journey, training is of utmost importance. On-line teachers need specific strategies in order to reach students appropriately and students must be well-equipped to handle the challenges of on-line learning. Although everyone involved in the process requires some sort of training, I believe the teachers and students are most important. The ultimate success of the program depends on this relationship and its success.
Mary,
So true--and often neglected until a crisis rears its head--like server issues!
Linda Scharp
Not only should there be an institutional plan of training for faculty, students, and targeted staff, there needs to be a sideline training plan for individual faculty members who may need more to get everyone on the same page.
We are looking at a variety of trainings that will allow each of our 4 instructors to become SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) who will teach back best practices learned and be the go-to person for future questions.
Pearson Education has POE (Pearson Online Educator) courses that will allow our faculty to train in online education using our LMS, once in place.
Additionally, we will have specific LMS training.
Staff's training needs are be consider as one of the most important issue before to implement online courses.
Faculty must be trained about the way to deliver online classes because it is very different to on site classes, also they have to learn how identify and satisfy student's needs in an online enviroment.
Also the staff have to be train about the Learning Management System.
