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Meeting the professional development and social

connectedness needs of a dispersed, online faculty

Allen C. Clarkson, Western Governors University - presenter

Adrian Zappala - contributor

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Overview

• University Profile

• History of Development Initiative

• Tools

• Effectiveness Measures2

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Western Governors University• see session 185• History

– founded 1997– four Colleges (Teacher Education, Business,

Information Technology, Health Professions)– competency-based

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Western Governors University• 16,000+ students

– in 50 states – “several” foreign territories (military deployment)

• 225+ Faculty members– 2 physical offices (Salt Lake City, Phoenix)– > 75% work remotely

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Dispersed Faculty

• Challenges:– Attention Economics

• the “Go Home”

• isolation

– Audience Engagement• Consistency, Rumor, Guesswork (not unique)

• Rapid Growth5

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Development Initiative• Start the conversation

– Training– Communication– Professional Development

• Keep the conversation going– Faculty social needs– University effectiveness needs

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Tools• Learning Community

– Jive software platform– presence

• In-Service Sessions– Adobe Connect platform– consistent schedule

• Communications– We’ve Got Updates! and Breaking News!– reminder emails

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Effectiveness Measures• University Performance Metrics

–Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)–Student Satisfaction (SAT)–Retention at 13+ months (RET)

• Internal Student Services Metrics– Breakdown of Service– Service Lapse– Assistance– Feedback

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Progress• Over the 12 month period ending 9/30/2009:

– Faculty Impact• 15% faculty growth• Attendance and Participation up 75% (growth-adjusted)

– Student Impact• Breakdown of Service & Service Lapse down 50%• Assistance down 15%• Feedback up (data currently statistically shallow)

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Initial Conclusions• Communicate

– clear, consistent, coherent• Be Available

– asynchronous, accessible, alert• Support

– synchronous, scheduled, steady

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