This document provides an overview of e-Learning at the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State University. It discusses the background and founding of the Dutton Institute, which supports online and blended courses. It outlines the program development model and course development process. It then discusses the future of eLearning at the college, including creating personalized learning experiences and strengthening online communities. Key challenges are also mentioned, such as providing seamless access and increasing financial support.
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e-Learning in the
College of Earth and
Mineral Sciences
Ann H. Taylor
20 March 2012
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Background - The Dutton Institute
“Learning design unit of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences”
First online program in January 1999 (GIS), Institute founded in
2000
Supports both World Campus and resident instruction
Provides leadership for the distance learning community
> 80 online and blended courses
6 certificate and degree programs to date
45 FT and PT individuals appointed to the Institute
17 individuals appointed elsewhere but supported by the
Institute ~30 hourly personnel
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Program Development Model
Look for new market potential
Conduct preliminary market research
Draft program prospectus
Create industry advisory board
Revise program prospectus
Work through traditional University approval processes
Develop Program Office and Courses internally – partner with
World Campus for program delivery
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Course Development Process
Learning designers work 1-on-1 with faculty authors
Multimedia specialist, programmers, editors brought in as
needed
R&D team takes on advanced learning technologies
Two semester development timeframe
Q&A process from design to peer review
$10K $1M – all based on time (% of salary)
See https://www.e-education.psu.edu/facdev
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The Future of eLearning in EMS
Createnew, strategically-focused online programs –
from undergraduate to doctoral, custom contracts to
degrees
Shift
focus from "content development" to "creating
personalized learning experiences”
Strengthen
online communities and
engagement
Lead the movement away from a
single one-size-fits-all LMS
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Top Institute Challenges
Create agile tools, strategies, and models that can
adjust to an ever-changing environment
Significantly re-invest in mature courses and
programs
Providetruly seamless access that is driven by
student needs, not institutional practices
Increasefinancial support through sponsored
research and active fund raising (new!)
Education is not the filling of a pail but the
Engage more members of lighting of a fire.
- William Butler Yeats
our departmental faculty
and students
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Contact Information
Ann H. Taylor
Director, Dutton e-Education Institute
atb3@psu.edu
Is there enough of an audience to support a program?Who are our archetypal students?What is the right product for this audience’s needs?What would be their primary learning needs
Personalized – Retrieve useful information from learning materials,data stored in the learning management systems, discussions, and interactions among learnersDesign and use information retrieval technologies to improve learner's online learning performanceiMPS in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems (Ag, CoLA, Eng)Option in Sustainability Management and PolicyOption in Solar EnergyGeneral Undergrad Portfolio in GeosciencesEBF – Undergrad Minor and CertificateUndergrad Certificate of Excellence in Earth ScienceWeather and Climate Risk Management – Short courses and MastersiMPS in GeoDesign (Arts and Architecture)Option in GISiMPS in Intelligence Analysis (IST)Landmen? Marcellus Shale? Climate Change Analysis? BS in GIS?