DE Report to EPC - November 2008

1. Deadlines to Submit Online courses - The DE Committee (DEC) is reviewing the deadlines to submit online classes and it is considering the following:  Application to Teach Online be submitted no later than the 1st set of galleys each semester, and that the course shells approval be no later than the final set of galleys each semester. DEC will advise the EPC of any recommended changes. The DEC will provide a list of approved online classes, and a list of certified online instructors to the VP of Academic Affairs to assist in scheduling online classes.

2. SARS system - The DEC will start using the SARS (automated phone call) system for Winter/Spring 2009, and a phone message will be made to all actively registered online students for Winter/Spring 2009 to acknowledge they are registered to take an online class and to give instructions and contact information on taking their classes. This will assist our online students to get a "jumpstart" on their classes.

3. Late Add Policy - The Chair of DEC met with Joe Ramirez and Rosalie Torres and the District "Late Add" Policy of the District will be implemented in Winter/Spring 2009. see the "Late Add" policy at http://lamc-ddl.pbwiki.com/late-add

4. Updating of online classes - The DEC and Curriculum will consider requiring all online classes be updated every 5 years, and that the course shell go through a shell review pursuant to procedures and the DE Evaluation rubric set forth under Curriculum Resources - see http://lamission.edu/curriculum/forms/DE_Rubric.pdf  

5. Evaluation of Faculty who teach online - When faculty are evaluated, and Department chairs wish to include an evaluation of their online classes as part of their evaluation, the DEC will assist by imbedding a student course evaluation survey  - see http://wellness.lattc.edu/online/evals/LAMCeval.html in the online class and by providing a summary of its evaluation review using the DE Evaluation Rubric (see above).

6. MOU on "Over Sized" online classes - Recently the AFT entered into a MOU on "Over Sized" Online classes and additional compensation - see http://www.aft1521.org/MOU%202008-02%20D_DL.pdf - Over Sized classes must be approved by the VP of Academic Affairs.  The DEC will review this new MOU. It is suggested that the online classes should not exceed 40 students to provide "quality online education".

7. Whether certain classes should be entirely online - The Curriculum Committee recently approved the Application to Teach Online for English 101. The EPC, DEC, and Curriculum must discuss this issue, and determine whether, or if such classes as English 101 should require proctored mid-terms and final exams to ensure the quality of these classes once they are placed online.  Some colleges require all of their online classes to have "in person" or "proctored at a distance" mid-term and final exams.

8. Online tutoring - currently Title V provides a online tutor to assist our online students in navigating and other issues in learning how to take an online class. This resource will no longer be available at the end of the Spring 2009 semester when the Title V - Math program ends. DEC recommends that the College institutionalize this position of "online student tutor" for our online students.

9. Authentication of DE Students - Recently there was a change in the law regarding "Authetication of Online Students" - see Barbara Beno's letter at http://lamc-ddl.pbwiki.com/f/authentication.doc - Here is recommendation by Vivie Sinou of Etudes.org to the etudes users - see http://lamc-ddl.pbwiki.com/etudes+-vivie+rec+on+authentication All of the colleges that offer online classes are reviewing this new change in policy and our DEC will monitor the recommendations and responses by our sister colleges and report recommendations to the DEC.  I probably disagree with Vivie that "high stakes" exams are not the answer. I think if our Math and English Department have "common finals" - then maybe we should consider "in person" or "proctored at a distance" mid-term and final exams to assist with the new "Authentication" requirement. Also here is briefing by WCET on solutions to the "Authentication" requirement - WCET Briefing on Student Authentication - http://lamc-ddl.pbwiki.com/f/Briefing_Paper_Feb_2008.pdf