DISTANCE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, October 26, 2009, 3:30–5pm, Room 1096, TLC
Attendees: Ed Parrish, Francine Van Meter, Letitia Scott-Curtis, John Govsky, Jennifer Cass,
Steve Larson, Nancy Stucker, Johanna Bowen, Rachel Mayo, Mary Ellen Sullivan, Rosemary
Brogan, Kip Nead
Kip participated in a webinar on a new Respondus tool that locks down the browser for a
Blackboard-based exam. The exam window cannot be captured or printed. The software runs
about $4,000 per year. Francine will poll DE faculty to see if there is enough interest to explore
funding.
Proposed Flex Week activities for spring 2010 include a preview of the new Blackboard release,
presented by Matt Lord, Blackboard product manager; a workshop on Web 2.0 applications such
as Facebook, Twitter, and Edublogs; Apple’s new Snow Leopard operating system, new apps,
and CCC Confer with Rick Graziani.
Mary Ellen Sullivan was available to answer questions about the distance education degree
matrix. There are new graduation requirements for AA/AS in math and English GE areas.
Several classes were removed from the matrix because they are no longer offered in a DE format
or have been inactivated. The foreign language labs are changing course titles. Some courses that
were important to the integrity of the transferrable degree were put back into the spring 2010
schedule. A recent PRO report indicates 1 out of every 4 students who received a degree last year
enrolled in 3 or more DE courses. Mary Ellen is going to be meeting with an SJSU rep about
their new Online Global Studies BA degree. CSU East Bay is also offering an online BA in
business and is marketing to DE students at community colleges.
The 2008-2009 Distance Education Annual Report went to Faculty Senate on October 20. It will
go to November Board. Growth in DE is flattening out because of cuts to teaching units, but
demand is still high, and students seeking a degree or certificate are taking DE courses. The
college hosted the annual Online Teaching Conference last June, many Cabrillo faculty attended,
and Blackboard use rose dramatically in on-ground courses. Retention in DE courses went up,
while success mirrors the statewide average. Technology use campus-wide continues to increase
and students need online resources for student services more than ever.
There was some confusion about the definition of success and retention. Success = the number of
grades A, B, C, or CR awarded divided by course enrollment (at census). Retention = the number
of grades A, B, C, D, F, CR, or NC awarded, including W’s divided by course enrollment (at
census).
Last year, a task force commissioned by CCFT met several times to address issues related to
distance education. In collaboration with the DE Committee, they worked on revising the
Student Evaluation of Online Faculty Form, including instructions for the final written
evaluation. (Appendix CC, J, and N of the CCFT contract)
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And finally, the committee looked at standards for online and hybrid courses, and evaluation
questions for distance education instructors. There were good points brought up regarding
informing a class observer on what to look for, and suggestions to involve the instructor in the
observation process. At the next meeting, the committee will discuss what the instructor should
provide; orientation materials, one lesson, an example of a threaded discussion, etc.? It was
suggested we look at, is there sufficiency in the course design? Does the course use a variety of
media to communicate course materials?
The next meeting is Monday, November 30, 3:30-5pm in the TLC.
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