WIDS Instructional Design System is Cornerstone of Accredited Online Program
“You shouldn’t build your house upon the sand,” said South Central’s Dean of Technology Wes Taylor, who helped direct the online initiative. “WIDS gives us a firm foundation for instructional design.” WIDS acted as the cornerstone of the online initiative by facilitating faculty training and improving instructional design, he said. Good courses result in good retention, according to Taylor. And by using WIDS, South Central “has the ultimate tool and foundation for making learning great.”
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) granted South Central full authority to award online degrees and diplomas after just three semesters of online course delivery. “This speaks to the quality of what we’re doing,” said Larry Lundblad, senior vice president and chief academic officer.
The HLC recognized the college for developing an online program of equal rigor to traditional offerings – something several college personnel believe can be credited to WIDS’ tools for instructional design. “The Center for Technology and Learning allows the faculty to focus on the use of technology and new teaching strategies in the development of online courses,” states an HLC report, “simultaneously assuring that the online courses are aligned with face-to-face courses, and that the same rigor and course outcomes are in place for all students.”
South Central’s comprehensive approach to developing online courses, which was key to receiving early accreditation, includes ongoing planning, faculty and student support, course development and the continuous tracking of student satisfaction. WIDS, said Lundblad, clearly provides the structure and foundation from which the college’s online program flowered.
Faculty Development
Lynne Groves, instructional technology/curriculum specialist was charged with organizing the integrated elements of the college’s online program. Highly trained to use WIDS for instructional design, Groves focused heavily on new course development and faculty training using WIDS software in order to achieve instructional design consistency. Upfront planning, according to Groves, is essential to quality course development. Ensuring instructors were properly trained to develop comprehensive courses for online delivery was critical, she said, especially since most had never before taught Web-based classes. Faculty development thus became a critical component of the online initiative.
In two years, 23 instructors learned to use WIDS software to design online courses via a series of workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions, said Groves. Many other instructors have also learned to use WIDS for face-to-face curriculum design. The college’s online faculty are so convinced that this design process makes sense, that instructional design using WIDS is a requirement for online course development, said Groves.
As a result, instructors must complete four instructional design workshops that introduce them to online curriculum design and help them transition from face-to-face to Web-based delivery. Groves, who most often leads the workshops, walks instructors through basic, intermediate and advanced uses of WIDS. In doing so, participants learn to identify and write competencies and learning objectives; create outlines and syllabi; and pull critical elements together into learning plans. The final workshop helps faculty develop performance assessments.
Engaging Learning Activities
WIDS helps instructors ensure no critical elements are missing from curriculum and that learning activities are designed to engage learners. Engaging students is key to maintaining high retention, according to Groves, especially in online learning. Communication tools such as chats, discussion boards and email facilitate student interaction with classmates and faculty. That's important. But, she adds, learning activities must also engage learners.
WIDS guides you in planning an entire course, said Doug Yentsch, accounting instructor. Users create competencies and learning plans that enhance the frontlines of learning. “Learning plans built before the course starts, are a blueprint of what to expect from start to finish, not just a list of topics to cover,” he said.
“WIDS reminds you to get students involved,” adds Groves. When designing learning plans, the software prompts users to include learning activities. A learning activity library, which is built into the software, stores learning activities that are appropriate for face-to-face and online settings. Teachers can use these, or come up with their own. South Central’s online courses are rich with activities that involve learners, including dilemma solving, one-minute papers, team presentations, guest interviews via chat, business partner involvement, small group work and “pair and shares.”
As a result of extensive faculty development training, many South Central instructors claim they’ve become more effective teachers, according to Groves and Yentsch.
“I set up my face-to-face courses in exactly the same manner as my online courses,” said Yentsch. “I now have consistency and students appreciate knowing what is expected of them, no matter the delivery method.”
Return on Investment
The results of South Central’s quality online courses are clear. Online enrollments and credits have doubled since last year, said Groves, and retention remains way above the national average. Surveys, which seek to gain information about students’ online experiences, remain positive, as well.
The college, through online delivery, even managed to resurrect two dying programs – Medical Lab Technician and Community Support for People with Disabilities. “There were only five students enrolled in the face-to-face Medical Lab Technician program several years ago,” said Taylor. “Today, there are 80 students engaged in the online program.”
There’s no doubt that developing an online offering from scratch is a costly and time- consuming endeavor. But for South Central, it’s been well worth it. The college, as a result of its comprehensive approach to building quality online courses and programs, has increased enrollment and credit hours; managed to resurrect two dying programs by offering them online; and helped improve how faculty teach across the board.
In just two years, the college has established a fully accredited online program – one that is expected to double in size again next year. “Word is getting around that our courses are pretty good,” said Taylor. “Our online offering will continue to grow as we try to tap into new niche markets. It will continue to be an integral part of what South Central does.”