This presentation will be presented at the 2012 SLOAN-C International Conference on Online Learning and will share data, lessons, learned, and strategies for success for an online instructor training course offered at Madison College. See the full presentation details and description here: http://sloanconsortium.org/conference/2012/aln/top-ten-aspects-and-lessons-learned-successful-online-faculty-training-program

1. Top Ten Aspects and Lessons
Learned of a Successful Online
Faculty Training Program
Presenters:
Jennifer Lewis
Martha Schwer
Tina Rettler-Pagel
2012 Sloan-
CInternational
Conference

2. About Madison College
• Wisconsin Technical College System (1 of 16)
• Total unduplicated enrollment = 40,030 FTE=10,671
• More than 140 Associate Degree programs and
certificates
• Online offerings:
• 7 fully online programs
• 10 online certificates
• ~208 unique online course titles; more than 400 online
classes each semester.
• Online class size 15-25.
www.madisoncollege.edu

3. How did we get here?
• Call from Associate VP of Learning to
develop “something” – led to a CQI Team
• Find the right team members
• Key areas of focus for the team
• Get faculty input and buy-in
– Run a focus group
– Hire the right facilitator - use a Faculty Fellow
• Development of a certification course
(PTTO)

4. Lesson Learned #1:
Course Content and Approach (2009)
• Facilitate online activities
• Create an online learning community
• Encourage student engagement online
• Conduct ongoing assessments appropriate to the online environment.
• Design learning activities that are interactive, to fit different learning styles online.
• Select a content format that suits your specific course outcomes, delivery
strategy, and technology.
• Utilize appropriate online course organization and structure.
• Evaluate course effectiveness using MATC Online quality standards.
• Manage online communication and interaction
• Use a variety of communication tools and strategies.
• Manage student questions, demands, and feedback effectively
• Promote student to student interaction as appropriate
• Develop group management techniques online as appropriate

6. Lesson Learned #2:
Launching & RunningPTTO
• Following Online Course Best Practices
• Pre-course communication (critical)
• Communicating with Leadership
• Marketing the course
• Tapping faculty who took the course
to teach it; bringing in other content
areas to facilitate.

7. Lesson Learned #3:
Reflecting on the PTTO Experience
On a scale of 1 to 4, how relevant was PTTO for preparing you to teach online?

8. Lesson Learned #3:
Reflecting on the PTTO Experience
Of the topics discussed, which did you find most relevant to your teaching?

9. Lesson Learned #3:
Reflecting on the PTTO Experience
How many courses do you teach online at our college each semester?

10. Lesson Learned #4:
Unforeseen Administrative and Operational
Issues and Unsolved Dilemmas
• Importance of administrative support
and buy-in
• Is training required?
• Addressing grandfathering
• Addressing vetting and prior experience

11. Lesson Learned #5:
Unforeseen Issues: Intended vs. Actual
Audience
Is the course for
people preparing
to teach or people
who want to
teach...someday.

12. Lesson Learned #6:
Importance of including
Academic Integrity Content
• Major concern for faculty entering PTTO
• Differences between faculty and definitions
of academic integrity
• Emphasizing varied assessments and use of
tools like SafeAssign

13. Lesson Learned #7:
Moving Beyond the Course
3-4 Major Items Instructors Want & Need:
• Collection of general resources, templates and
examples
• Connections to technology training
• Options beyond PTTO
• Options for veteran, master instructors.
How do we create ongoing communication among
online instructors for updating?

14. Lesson Learned #8:
Developing Quality Standards
• Writing course quality standards
• Implementation/Current State
• Still in pilot phase
http://madisoncollege.edu/in/quality-standards-best-practices-online-courses

15. Lesson Learned #9:
Addressing Faculty Issues
• Contractual and Union Issues
• Barriers to implementing best practices
• Lack of consistent approaches to online
courses (Blackboard not required)
• Opening classes a week early
• Culture of sharing (or not)
• Multiple versions of a course

16. Lesson Learned #10:
Adapting procedures, methods,
and practices in the online
classroom
• Special Needs and Disability Resources
• Proctoring

17. Thank you!
For more information…
Jennifer Lewis, jlnielsen@madisoncollege.edu,
Skype: jennifer.l.nielsen, Twitter: GeoJenLewis
Martha Schwer, schwer@madisoncollege.edu,
Hangouts & Skype:mschwer2
Tina Rettler-Pagel, rettler@madisoncollege.edu,
Skype: tinarettler, Twitter: TinaRPagel