The 12th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks

1. The 12th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks Ensuring Academic Quality: Innovations in Faculty Mentorship & Evaluation Drs. Lisa Bunkowski, Michael Eskey, Roxanne Gonzales Nov. 9, 2006 © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

2. Presentation Objectives • Overview of Park model; • Compare and contrast mentorship and evaluation; • Policy implications to the formalized evaluation of adjunct faculty; • Translate to your online environment. © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

3. Overview • Training for online: • CDL 750 Park Online Instructor Qualification Seminar • Faculty facilitated course • Online Instructor Evaluation System (OIES) • CDL 751 Faculty Forum on Teaching and Evaluation © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

4. OIES Functions and Goals • The intent of the OIES is to ensure quality in all online classrooms. • Inform personnel decisions (part-time faculty) • Improve instructor performance • Enhance student satisfaction • Identify professional development needs • Encourage scholarship of teaching • Aid accreditation, assessment needs, and ACE Principles © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

5. © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

6. OIES Process • Formative • Preterm and 3 formative reviews during the term • Instructor self-review during the term • Phone and email dialogue • Summative • Summative Evaluation after the term • Student survey after the term © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

7. OIES Process © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

8. OIES Process Student Instructor Program Coordinator Instructor Evaluator Summative Formative © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

9. Instructor Retention Recommendations At the end of the term, the OIES provides departments (program coordinators) a Summative Evaluation (with recommendation) • Recommendation to Retain • Recommendation to Retain with Contingencies • (i.e. continued “visits” with instructor evaluator, limit sections, limit number of students, follow evaluation subsequent term, etc.) • Recommendation for Probation • (i.e. another OIES review, limit sections, limit number of students, etc.) • Recommendation to Not Retain • (i.e. major problems with online facilitation were noted, unwillingness to modify or adapt, violations of online policies, etc.) © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

10. Mentorship or Evaluation? • Formative Reviews • Guides new and existing instructors • Invigorates existing instructors • Park is active with adjuncts • Resource • Summative Review • Evaluation © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

11. Instructor Feedback • “It helps knowing that Park is committed to our success as new online instructors.” • “I have printed out copies of all my reviews and I review them all every couple of days to make sure that I am on track.” • “Thanks so much for taking the time to review my class. It is obvious that you have invested a lot of time in the evaluation process.” • “I love the constructive criticism and since this is my first time teaching online courses, it is greatly appreciated…as I go through the course I see my mistakes as well as the positives. Your suggestions are great…” • “The review process is worthwhile and will benefit me for many future terms, so I feel it is an important investment in the future of Park faculty and students.” © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

12. Policy • How to best work with academic departments (needs and collaboration)? • Use in faculty hiring • Undergraduate vs graduate • Integration into the institutional culture © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

13. OIES Team • Lisa Bunkowski, PhD History (Austin, TX) • Kay Dennis, EdD Healthcare/Nursing (Beaufort, NC) • Michael Eskey, PhD Criminal Justice (Omaha, NE) • Roxanne Gonzales, EdD Adult Education (Rye, NH) • Frank Incalcaterra, MEd Management (Peoria, AZ) • Jutta Pegues, PhD History (Columbus, OH) • Marthann Schulte, PhD Education (Kansas City, MO) • Full time faculty (1/2 duties - academic department; 1/2 duties - School for Online Learning) © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

14. Translate • Review • Online process • Best practices/research • Your policies • Establish • Critical criteria to evaluate • Policy • Procedure • Staff • Buy-in © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

15. Resources • http://www.park.edu/online/faculty/Best_Practices/index.asp • http://www.park.edu/online/faculty/Best_Practices/principles_and_standards.html © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning

16. Contact • Dr. Lisa M. Bunkowski • lisa.bunkowski@park.edu • Dr. Michael Eskey • michael.eskey@park.edu • Dr. Roxanne M. Gonzales • roxanne.gonzales@park.edu • http://www.park.edu/ © 2006 – Park University, School for Online Learning