Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the guidelines, procedures and requirements for online learning courses at Lynn University.
Policy
Courses developed for online delivery must be complete and meet standards for content, instructional approach, and software used for online delivery. The academic content and requirement for online courses at Lynn will be equivalent to the academic content and requirements for campus-based programs and courses. Analogous instructional activities and assignments conducted in campus-based courses and programs are utilized in online courses. The academic unit is responsible for maintaining the same high standards for all courses, regardless of delivery method; for ensuring the instruction is comparable in quality and content; and for regularly assessing the content and methods by which the courses are delivered.
Online courses will be delivered by reliable methods, and the university will provide technical, academic, clerical, and instructional design support services to faculty and students as appropriate. Decisions to offer courses through online learning will reflect student needs and availability of resources.
The review process set forth below in the Procedures/Guideline section ensures that the above standards are consistently met at Lynn University.
Definitions
Online learning—includes all of the technologies including software, hardware, and learning environments that are used to deliver classes via the internet.
Online courses—include courses offered through a LMS (learning management system) via the internet where students and instructors are not in the same location. Online courses may have a synchronous (live or in real-time) and asynchronous (not live or in real-time) component.
Procedures/Guidelines
I. Faculty online teaching participation criteria
Faculty, who wish to participate in online learning for the first time, must contact the Instructional Design department to establish contact and familiarity with the support staff and to validate their knowledge of online instruction and/or schedule training for online course delivery. Workshops designed to familiarize individuals with online course-delivery software and online course development are offered periodically throughout the academic year. Training is also available on an ad-hoc basis in a private sessions with an instructional designer.
Prior to teaching an online course, faculty members are required to be appropriately qualified to teach the course and be trained and familiar with Lynn University online policies. Faculty, who wish to participate in online learning for the first time, must complete the online training modules. These training modules are designed to familiarize individuals with the software used for online courses, online teaching methodology, copyright and fair use in the online environment, and basic software training. These courses are offered periodically throughout the academic year.
II. Faculty online course assignments
Online courses are considered part of a Faculty member’s course load. Faculty are assigned to courses based on their academic or professional experience qualifications and semester course load prior to the start date of each semester. As with campus-based courses, faculty assigned to develop, design and teach online courses will be equally qualified; and the criteria for the evaluation of faculty teaching online courses will be similar.
Instructors must be contacted either by phone or email to confirm availability for each assignment well before the start date of the course. Due to the extensive time involved in online course development, it is suggested that at least three months be allowed for course development.
III. Collaborative learning model
Lynn University subscribes to a collaborative learning model in all online courses. In order to facilitate this model the discussion board or other collaborative tool is a required component of all online courses. Online instructors are also expected to be reasonably available throughout the course using virtual technologies. It is suggested that one optional live chat session per week be made available in each online course.
IV. Instructor availability and response time
Online instructors are expected to login to monitor their online course at least once each day in order to check for any student questions or issues. It is suggested that online instructors respond to student issues within twenty-four (24) hours or one (1) business day after the student has posted a question in the online course or submitted a question via email. It is also important to grade and return assignments in a timely manner. Lynn University encourages instructors to grade assignments within seventy-two (72) hours of the due date and post the grade in the appropriate application. In order for students to learn from their work, all submitted assignments must be graded prior to the next assignment due date.
V. Course assignments
All written assignments must be submitted to the current online assessment tool with plagiarism detection enabled. In designated courses, faculty must assess prescribed assignments using supplied rubrics. To submit, read, download, or assess assignments, both faculty and students need to authenticate using the Lynn University assigned username and faculty secure password.
VI. Online course review process
Course reviews are performed when a new course is initially developed for delivery and again every two years or as needed. Courses are reviewed by the instructional designer and an approval for the course is sent to the faculty member as well as the dean of the respective college. See course review form.
VII. Term-based ongoing course preparation
A term-based faculty course preparation and update deadline is set by the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. This date is usually one week prior to the course start date and is conveyed to the instructor and the college each term by the Instructional Design Team. All courses must be checked for accuracy and updated by the respective instructor by the Friday prior to the start of each term.
VIII. Online course monitoring and observation
Online courses will be observed to ensure quality of course content, instructor effectiveness, and proper use of course delivery system on an annual basis. The outcome of these observations will shared with the instructor, college dean, and Academic Vice-President (upon request).
IX. Student evaluation of online courses
Students are surveyed concerning online course quality and faculty performance at near the end of each course. Survey data is compiled by the office of Institutional Research and is shared with the college dean, and the relevant faculty member.
Students are asked to rate instructors on a number of performance variables including teaching, interpersonal, and administrative skills, and are asked questions regarding the distance learning medium and services.
X. Library and learning resources
Equivalent library and learning resources will be available to students enrolled in online courses. As the campus-based programs and courses, the requirements of the various academic programs will determine the requisite library and learning resources. Elements of library support and learning resources available to students will include, but not limited to, electronic document delivery, electronic journals, full-text databases, end-user searching, reference assistant and instruction, network access, reciprocal borrowing and interlibrary load services, cooperative arrangements with other libraries for collection access, cooperative development of databases, and other strategies that emphasize access to resources.
XI. Student services
Students enrolled in online courses will have adequate access to the range of appropriate academic and student support services. These include admission, orientation, course registration services, academic advising, compliant resolution, textbook acquisition, financial aid, career development, and other special program accommodations, as applicable.
XII. Student privacy
Online students’ personal information will be protected. The university protects the privacy of all students, including online students, through the strict adherence to the rules of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) (see the university’s student records policy). In addition, the university is guided by its information security and identity theft program, acceptable use of technology, password, access control and other applicable data security policies.
An array of techniques are by the university used to protect online students’ privacy and identity. These include secure login and password, proctored examinations (supervised face-to-face, electronic, and/or online services), and authentic assessments. For all proctored examinations, student may be asked to present an official, current university picture ID prior to taking the examination.
Any new technique, technology, and best practice designed to protect students’ privacy and verify identification must be reviewed and approved by the Instructional Design Team, IT and Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to implementation.
XIII. Facilities and finances
Appropriate technical expertise and technical infrastructure will be available to meet the needs of students enrolled in online courses.