This document outlines a proposed statewide initiative in Arkansas called the Arkansas Standard for Online Teaching (ASOT). The goal of ASOT is to develop a standard level of competency for online instructors and consistency among adjunct faculty. It also aims to provide cost-effective training. The initiative would involve unprecedented collaboration between institutions. Benefits include improved student retention, faculty satisfaction, cost savings, and learning outcomes. A timeline is proposed to first train trainers in year one, then have those trainers train faculty in year two. Input from various groups is summarized and next steps are outlined.

1. ASOT
Arkansas Standard
[Creative Commons-licensed photo
by WikimediaCommons user Darwinek.]
for
Online Teaching

2. Bryan Fendley
Director of Academic Computing
University of Arkansas at Monticello
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwxW9svQJ4Q

3. A state wide faculty development initiative
[Creative Commons-licensed photo
by WikimediaCommons user Darwinek.]

4. Started with an idea

5. What if every online instructor met a
certain level of competency before
teaching online?

6. A state wide faculty development initiative
will require unprecedented
collaboration

7. The goal of ASOT
1. To develop a standard competency among
online faculty within the state
2. To develop consistency among adjuncts
3. To develop a cost effective method of
training and assuring quality

8. Benefits
• Student retention
• Faculty satisfaction
• Cost savings
• Improved learning outcomes

9. Everybody wins!

10. August 2011
FIRST MEETING

11. Summary of Responses from
ARBUG and ARDLA Members
•It would be better if the certificate was promoted and administered through ARDLA and or
ARBUG.
•Development, promotion, oversight, etc., by ARDLA and/or ARBUG
•Determine if it is to be credit or non-credit professional development (if it’s a credit
program it would have to be approved by ADHE)
•MOU/written agreement among the institutions planning to participate by offering courses
and/or enrolling employees in the training
•Don’t use “certificate or certification” in the title since it could easily be confused with
teacher licensure.

12. Summary of Responses from
ARBUG and ARDLA Members cont.
•The program should be rigorous
•Some Arkansas state colleges are members of Quality Matters
•The training should not be mandated
•The training should not be platform specific
•Nobody wants to re-invent the wheel
•Some schools have in place or are developing their own in house certifications
•Make it a K20 certification
•Offer the certification as a consortium effort

13. Summary of Responses from
ARBUG and ARDLA Members cont.
•Model the certification after Wisconsin-Madison
•K12 needs the training as much as higher ed
•The more institutions that get involved the bigger the impact
•Develop a state-wide consortia agreement with Quality Matters
•The group should review the Sloan Consortium
•Developing our own initiative in state could save institutions money
•Faculty need to also be involved in reviewing and developing the model

14. October 2011
SECOND MEETING

15. Proposed timeline
Year 1
Train the trainers by developing a standard of
training for trainers within the state

16. Proposed timeline
Year 2
Participating campus trainers train their
faculty

17. Steps
1. identify standards for training
2. determine length of training
3. determine commitment necessary from
participating organizations
4. determine appropriate knowledge transfer
method for trainers

18. Open forum for discussion

19. ASOT
Contact Info
fendley@uamont.edu
Bryanfendley.com
Twitter: @bfend