Outcomes from Implementing Quality Metric Guidelines into Online & Hybrid Online Courses & Programs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Concurrent Session 9
Blended MERLOT

Brief Abstract

This Emerging Ideas Session will present outcomes from a 2 year, campus-wide faculty incentive program focused on improving the quality of courses and programs offered both online and in hybrid/blended online learning environments.

Through collaborative work with information technology, the teaching and learning center, academic colleges, and administrative channels, a faculty incentive grant built around providing support and training was implemented and evaluated. Outcomes from the training and incentive program are discussed, along with lessons learned on implementation of a campus-wide, monetary faculty incentive program focused on the outcomes of quality.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Sherri Restauri, Coastal Carolina University - Office of Online Learning

Dr. Sherri Restauri has served in academia for 20 years. During this time, she has served as an instructional designer, faculty member in the field of psychology and other areas, and also as an administrator over Online Learning at several universities. Dr. Restauri joined the Coastal Office of Online Learning as their Director in July 2016. Her research focus is on improving the teaching and learning process across all teaching modalities through the use of technology, with specific interest in pedagogical practices to increase student engagement, and best practices in online pedagogy.

Additional Authors

Jessica Hall, Coastal Carolina University

Currently I hold the position at Coastal Carolina University as the Instructional Designer for Online Learning. As a Coastal Carolina Alum, it is my passion to maintain a career at the university. I truly enjoy working on campus and working with faculty members to ensure high quality online course development. Instructional Technology is my background. I hold a Master's in IT and am currently working on a Ed.S. degree in IT as well with the intentions on receiving my Ph.D in the near future.

Extended Abstract

This Emerging Ideas Session will present outcomes from a 2 year, campus-wide faculty incentive program focused on improving the quality of courses and programs offered both online and in hybrid/blended online learning environments.

Through collaborative work with information technology, the teaching and learning center, academic colleges, and administrative channels, a faculty incentive grant built around providing support and training was implemented and evaluated by the online learning department on our campus, spanning across multiple terms and all academic colleges. An internal quality metric developed by the campus was adopted and fully implemented throughout the 2 years of this project's reporting period.

Administrative considerations for online learning administrators, instructional designers, and LMS administrators include:

  • Budgeting
  • Course evaluations and metrics
  • Faculty training
  • Faculty feedback
  • OL Staff Support
  • Promotions and outreach
  • Incentivizing learning
  • Recognition and award, non-tangibles
  • Faculty morale

Outcomes from the training and incentive program will be discussed, along with lessons learned on implementation of a campus-wide, monetary faculty incentive program focused on the outcomes of quality. Best practice findings will be provided to support colleagues who are interested in learning how to incentivize, motivate, and support faculty in both small- and large-scale online and hybrid/blended online learning programs in higher education.