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