PALOMARCOLLEGEDISTANCEEDUCATIONPLAN
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Draft11 May2017
TableofContents:
ExecutiveSummary(Includewhendocumentiscomplete)
Introduction
DefinitionofDistanceEducation(ACCJC)
DistanceEducationMission/Values/Standards
DistanceEducationPlan
Appendix:
Statistics/Data
OnlineEducationInitiative(OEI)Overview
PalomarOnlineEducationTraining(POET)
ServicesandSupportforDistanceEducation
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Introduction
Acrossthecountry,about5.5millionstudentstookatleastone
onlinecourse–roughlyone-quarterofthetotalenrollment.Among
those5.5millionstudents,about2.6millionwereenrolledinfully
onlineprograms—theresttooksometraditionalcourses,some
online,accordingtotheNationalCenterforEducationStatistics.
Thesestatisticscomefrom2012,butthenumberscontinuetoclimb
everyyear.
AtPalomar,onlineclasseshaveconsistentlygeneratedaround
18,500FTES.Whilesomeofthesestudentslivegeographically
distantfromthecollege,mostlivewithindistrictboundaries.Even
usingzipcodestodetermineresidencedoesnotprovideanaccurate
pictureofthenumberofonlinestudentswhoarelivingoutsidethe
districtbecausemanyonlinestudentsareonmilitarydeployment,
attendschoolelsewhereinthecountrysimultaneously,orare
travelingforworkorpersonalreasons.Otherstudentschooseonline
coursesduetoworkorfamilytimeconstraintsormobility
constraints.
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Withthepossibilityofastate-widedistanceeducation
component,itisimperativethatPalomarhaveacohesive
DistanceEducation(DE)plan.
Thepurposeofthisplanistoincreaseaccessandsuccessforonline
studentsbyprovidingthefoundationforaunifiedvisionandthe
foundationforfutureeffortsintherealmofdistanceeducation.
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DefinitionofDistanceEducation
FromtheACCJC(2013):
Distanceeducationisdefined,forthepurposeofaccreditation
review,asaformalinteractionwhichusesoneormore
technologiestodeliverinstructiontostudentswhoareseparated
fromtheinstructorandwhichsupportsregularandsubstantive
interactionbetweenthestudentsandinstructor,either
synchronouslyorasynchronously.
Distanceeducationoftenincorporatestechnologiessuchasthe
internet;one-wayandtwo-waytransmissionsthroughopen
broadcast;closedcircuit,cable,microwave,broadbandlines;
fiberoptics;satelliteorwirelesscommunicationsdevices;audio
conferencing;orvideocassettes,DVDs,andCDROMs,in
conjunctionwithanyoftheothertechnologies.
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DistanceEducationMission/Values/Standards
PalomarCollegeMission:
Ourmissionistoprovideanengagingteachingandlearning
environmentforstudentsofdiverseorigins,experiences,needs,
abilities,andgoals…Asacomprehensivecommunitycollege,we
supportandencouragestudentswhoarepursuingtransfer-
readiness,generaleducation,basicskills,careerandtechnical
training,aestheticandculturalenrichment,andlifelong
education…Wearecommittedtohelpingourstudentsachieve
thelearningoutcomesnecessarytocontributeasindividualsand
globalcitizenslivingresponsibly,effectively,andcreativelyinan
interdependentandever-changingworld.
https://www2.palomar.edu/pages/strategicplanning/
InstitutionalMissionandEffectivenessAnalysisofhowPalomar’s
MissionStatementconsidersDistanceEducationwhendeveloping,
approvingandcommunicatingtoallstakeholders.
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DistanceEducationclassesareofferedacrossabroadspectrumof
departmentsanddivisionsatPalomar,includingclassesthat
preparestudentswhoarepursuingtransfer-readiness,general
education,basicskills,careerandtechnicaltraining,aestheticand
culturalenrichment,andlifelonglearning.
Distanceeducationcoursesaredeveloped,approved,andmarketed
inthesamemannerasface-to-face(F2F)classes.Theyarecreated
andreviewedbyfaculty,processed,andapprovedthroughthesame
curriculumprocessatPalomar,andbytheChancellor’sOffice.They
areapprovedbyadvisorieswhenappropriate,andvettedacross
disciplineexpertsingroupssuchasCourseIdentification
NumberingSystem(C-ID),and(FRDG).Tosummarize,Distance
EducationandF2Fclassesareequallydeveloped,reviewed,vetted,
approved,andmarketed.DEclasscontentisequivalenttoF2F
classes;thereisnodifferenceinwhatislearnedinaDEorF2Fclass.
Inthesamemanner,minimumqualificationsaredeterminedby
departmentsconcerningwhowillteachaDistanceEducationclass.
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OurValues:
PalomarCollegeisdedicatedtoempoweringstudentstosucceed
andcultivatinganappreciationoflearning.Throughongoing
planningandself-evaluation,westriveforcontinualimprovement
inourendeavors.
Increatingthelearningandculturalexperiencesthatfulfillour
missionandensurethepublic’strust,weareguidedbyourcore
valuesof:
•Excellenceinteaching,learning,andservice
•Integrityasthefoundationforallwedo
•Accesstoourprogramsandservices
•Equityandthefairtreatmentofallinourpoliciesandprocedures
•Diversityinlearningenvironments,philosophies,cultures,beliefs,
andpeople
•Inclusivenessofindividualandcollectiveviewpointsincollegial
decision-makingprocesses
•Mutualrespectandtrustthroughtransparency,civility,andopen
communications
•Creativityandinnovationinengagingstudents,faculty,staff,and
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administrators
•Physicalpresenceandparticipationinthecommunity
https://www2.palomar.edu/pages/studentaffairs/home/palomar-
college-missionstatement/
•“Accesstoourprogramsandservices”embodiesthekeypurpose
ofofferingourcoursesinaDistanceEducationdeliverymethod.
Working,military,out-of-state,andinternationalstudentscannow
takeclassestowardcompletionofprogramsthroughPalomar
College.
DistanceEducationDeliveryMethodcoursesaredesignedto
respondtotheneedsofstudentstoprovidecourses,support
servicesandtrainingopportunitiesthatareflexible,responsive,and
innovative.
Standards:
TheinstructionalcontentofcoursesofferedthroughtheDistanceEducationProgramshouldmeetthestandardsofon-campusclassroomcoursesandincludecoverageofthecommonStudentLearningOutcomesforthatcourse.
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Tomeettheneedforflexiblelearningopportunitiesforourcontemporarylearners,PalomarCollegeoffersarangeofoptionsfromfullyface-to-facetofullyonlinedelivery.Withintheseboundsisavarietyofrequirementsforonandoffcampusorientations,testing,fieldtrips,etc.TheInstructionalCategoriesatPalomarCollegeare:
• Face-to-face:Completelyface-to-face,meaningallinstruction,coursework,officehours,andexamsare/canbeface-to-face,buttheymayhaveweb-enhancedinstruction.
• Hybrid:Lecturesandcourseworkaredeliveredinacombinationofface-to-faceandvirtualcontactbetweenstudentsandinstructors.
• OnlinePlus:Partiallyonlinewithallinstruction,coursework,officehours,andorientationsareonline.Examsmaybeface-to-faceorbeproctored.Theremaybeotheroptionalclassmeetings.
• Online:Completelyonline:Allinstruction,coursework,officehours,orientations,andexamsaredeliveredonline.Therearenoface-to-facesessions.
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Classesoffered(infullorinpart)onlineofferthesameskillsandacademicinstructionthataretaughtintraditionalface--to--faceclasses.Itisimportanttorememberthattheonlinecourseexperiencerequiresthesameamountoftimeandeffortason--campusclasses.
PalomarCollegesupportstheonlinestudentwithequivalentservicesthatareavailabletoface-to-facestudentstomakeiteasierforallstudentstoobtainsupport,enhancetheirengagementwithPalomarCollege,andsuccessfullycompletetheireducationalgoals.Examplesoftheseservicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:
Theseservicesinclude:
• Preparationforonlinelearningskills
• Assistancetofindopenonlinecourses
• Administrativeprocedures
• Registration
• Tuitionpayment
• Coursecredit
o Academicload
• Academicskills
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o Onlinetutoring
o Onlinelibraryresources-includingdatabases,eBooks,tutorials,onlineworkshops,anda24x7livelibrarianchat
o Financialaid
o Counselingservices
o Bookstore
o AcademicTechnologyServicesandAssistance
• LearningManagementSystem(Canvas)
o StudentTutorials
o HelpDesk
FacultyRequirements
Instructorsarerequiredtoconductclassfortheentirescheduledtime.
Itisrecommendedthatfirst--timeinstructorsmustbetrainedbydistancelearningfaculty/DEmentors/staffbeforethefirstclassmeetingandthattheycompletePalomar’sPOETtrainingorequivalent.
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Instructorsareexpectedtohaveanactivepresenceinthevirtualclassroomandtobefullyengagedwiththestudentsthroughoutthecourse.
Instructorsshouldhaveonlinecontactinformationandberesponsiveandaccessibletostudentsoutsideofface-to-facemeetings.Allpoliciesconcerningstudent--to--facultyandstudent-to-studentcontactmustbespecificallydescribedinthesyllabus.
Instructorswillnotrelyonpublishers’materialstodistributecoursecontent,asa coursemanagementrole.Instructorswillprovidearobustlearningenvironmentbutisnotrequiredtogenerateallcontent.
Itisrecommendedthatonlineinstructorsendeavortorespondtostudentinquirieswithinapproximately48hours(weekendsandholidaysexcepted.)
Instructorsmaydeliverclassesfromanoff-campuslocation;however,theinstructorisresponsibleforhisorherownhardware,software,andinternetconnection.
Thecollegeprovidesthenecessarysupportservicesforacademicintegritysuchasproctoringoptions.
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SynchronousDistanceLearningCourses
CoursesdeliveredatadistancebutmeetonlineataspecifictimeareconsideredSynchronousDistanceLearningCourses.
SynchronousDistanceLearningcoursesaredeliveredthroughBlackboardCollaborateorequivalenttechnology.
Studentscanreceiveonlineface-to-facemeetingsfromanywherewithaninternetconnection.Studentscanalsoattendonlineface--to--facemeetingsinthedistancelearningcomputerlabonthemaincampusorattheoff-campussites.
Classsessionsarealsorecordedandmaybeviewedlater.
TechnologyPalomarCollege’sAcademicInformationServices(AIS)providesacoresuiteoftechnologiesandtechnicalresourcesrequiredtosupporthigh-qualityonlineeducation,includingthefollowing:
• Infrastructure
1. Servercapacity
2. Wiredandwirelessnetworks
3. Campuswebsite
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• Coreproductivitytechnologies
1. Email
2. Officesuite
3. Virtualizationofspecializedapplications:VMWare
4. Studentinformationsystem:PeopleSoft.
• Keyinstructionaltechnologies
1. Coursemanagementsystems:Canvas
2. VoicetoolswithinCanvas
3. Synchronousweb-conferencing:CCCConfer
4. Screencasting
5. Assessment:TurnitinandRespondus
6. Accessibility:Read&WriteGold
7. Technology-enhancedclassroomsthatenableuseofalloftheabove
8. Computerlabswithavarietyofhardwareandsoftware,includingdiscipline-specifictechnologiesasneeded.
• Technologysupport
1. Systemdevelopmentandmaintenancestaff
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2. Employeehelpdesk
3. Studenthelpdesk
StudentComputerRequirements
Accesstoafairlynewcomputerwithacurrentoperatingsystem,Internet,andasoundcard.
AccesstothelatestMicrosoftOfficePackorequivalentandacurrentbrowsercompatiblewith theLearningManagementSystemsatPalomarCollege(Canvas).
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MarketingandResearch
Palomar’scurrentandpotentialstudentsinterestedinonlineeducationwouldbenefitfromgreaterclarityabouttheexistenceandscopeofPalomar’sonlinecourseofferings,studentservices,andotherresources.AndasPalomarCollegedevelopsonlineprogramsthatmaybecompletedentirelyatadistance,itbecomesincreasinglyimportanttoconsidertheuniqueidentityandmarketingeffortsrequiredforsuchprograms.
PalomarCollegehas,inrecentyears,providedmorethoroughprogramreviewdatatoacademicdepartmentsdisaggregatedbycoursemodality,whichhasenableddepartmentstoconsidertheperformanceandefficiencyoftheirdistanceeducationofferings.AsPalomarcontinuestorefineitspracticeofevidence-basedplanninganddata-informeddecision-making,thedevelopmentofnew datamanagementtoolsmustconsiderthereportingrequirementsandopportunitiesspecifictodistanceeducation,includingdetailsaboutdistanceeducationenrollments,success,andretention, forvariousstudentsubgroups.
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ThefourmainobjectivesofPalomar’sonlineeducationplanareas
follows:
1.Establishandpromotedistanceeducationprogramsand
resourceswithinanintegratedandcomprehensiveonline
environment.
2.Providecontinuingguidanceforfacultyteachingonline.
3.Providesupporttostudentsforsuccessinonlineeducation.
EnsureonlineeducationatPalomarisincompliancewithexternal
regulations.
Detailsforimplementingtheseobjectivesareasfollow:
Objective1:Establishdistanceeducationprogramsandresources
withinanintegratedandcomprehensiveonlineenvironment.
!ActionPlan1.A:DocumentandfacilitatecomprehensivePalomar
onlineeducationprograms.
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"Outcome1.A.1:Programsofferedfullyonline,promotedvia
Collegelinktosuchprograms.Classesscheduledbasedonanalysis
byDepartmentChairsandDisciplineCoordinators,usingcurriculum
approvedforDistanceEducation,anddocumentationofstudent
interest.Suggest:Collegepromotionofprogramsofferedfully
online.
"Outcome1.A.2:Addressopportunitiestoengageoff-campus
studentswithcollegeactivitiesandcampuslife.
!ActionPlan1.B:Establish,evaluate,andimprovecommunication
aboutonlinecourses,programs,andsupportservices.Suggest:
Makesurestudentsaremadeawareofonlinecourses,programs,
andsupportservices.–thissaid,Ithinkmaybethisonecouldbe
deletedbecauseIfeellikewhatisin1.B.1belowcoversallofthis.
"Outcome1.B.1Improveoutreachandcommunicationaboutonline
educationprogramsandclasses,usingnewPalomarOnline
Educationwebpage,revisedscheduledesignations,/identity
developedspecificallyforPalomaronlineeducation.
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!ActionPlan1.C:Implementtechnologieslikelytosupportstudent
successinonlineeducation.Idonotfeelthisisnecessaryaswehave
thesethingsimplemented,inmyopinion.
"Outcome1.C.1:Worktomaintainonlineeducationtechnologies
thatarefullyaccessibletoallstudents.
"Outcome1.C.2:Usethenewlyadoptedcoursemanagementsystem
tosupportfacultyintheuseofOpenEducationalResources.
Suggest:EncouragefacultytoutilizeinformationfromComets
AffordableLearningMaterial(CALM)forpromotingandincreasing
zerotextbookcostcoursesandprograms.
Objective2:Enhance,support,andclarifyproceduresforfaculty
involvedinonlineeducation.Suggest:Makesureonlinefacultyare
awareoftheonlinefacultyrequirementsandadaptandclarifythem
asneeded.
!ActionPlan2.A:Enhancefacultypreparationandsupportfor
successfulonlineteachingthroughPOETandotherresources.
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"Outcome2.A.1:Exploreadditionalprogramsfordeveloping,
certifying,andmaintainingfacultypreparationforonlineteaching
andtechnologiesandpersonnelsupportresourcesthroughthe
AcademicTechnologyCommittee(ATC),AcademicTechnology
ResourcesCenter(ATRC),andProfessionalDevelopment(PD).
!ActionPlan2.B:Developanddistributebestpracticesinsupportof
consistentonlineclassquality.
"Outcome2.B.1:Createspecificproceduresforonlineclass
evaluationbystudents,administrators,andpeers.
Objective3:Providestudentswitheffectivesupportforsuccessin
onlineeducation.
!ActionPlan3.A:Expandonlinesupportservicesandintervention
strategies.
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"Outcome3.A.1:ExpansionofATRCeveningsupportand
InformationServicesstudenthelpdesktobeavailable24/7student
helpdesk.Formalizeandfullysupportonlinecounseling,online
educationplanning,andpeermentorsforonlinestudents.Build
capacityandbudgetsupportforonlineproctoring.Developand
keepmaintainedandupdatedanonlinelearningorientation.
Expandandintegrateresourcesforonlinelibraryinstructionand
coursereserves.
"Outcome3.A.2:EngagementwithCCCOnlineEducationInitiative
(OEI)inplanning,developing,andimplementingtoolsand
procedures,enablingPalomarinstructorstoteachOEIclassesand
PalomarstudentstotakeclassesthroughOEI.
!ActionPlan3.B:Regularlyevaluatetheimpactofonlinesupports
onsuccess,retention,andequity,andrefineaccordingly.
"Outcome3.B.1:Regularlyevaluateonlineprograms,resources,and
supportservicesandrefinedtoimprovestudentsatisfaction,equity,
retention,andsuccess.
Objective4:EnsureonlineeducationatPalomarisincompliance
withexternalregulations(ACCJC).
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*ActionPlan4.A:Monitorandfollowaccreditationexpectationsand
effectivepracticesfordistanceeducation.
"Outcome4.A.1:FullyaccreditedstatusforPalomardistance
educationwithoutsanctions.
AppendixAalignstheseobjectiveswiththeinstitutionalgoalsand
objectivesstatedinthecurrent
***Theseobjectivesare[shouldbe]alignedwiththeinstitutional
goalsandobjectivesstatedinthecurrentPalomarCollegestrategic
plan.
.