DE

Minutes February 20, 2007

Attendees: Jan, Novak (chair), Norman Buchwald, Desmond Chun, Gene Groppetti, Scott Hildreth, Michael Langdon, Judy O?Toole, Andrew Pierson, Ramona Silver, Lisa Ulibarri, Lani Wilson, Wanda Wong.

Jan welcomed Ramona Silver to the committee as the representative from Arts & Humanities.

Jan distributed a handout entitled Guidelines for Proposals Reviews. The document is intended as a guide for all of the DE Committee reviewers to ensure we have a consistent approach based on best practices in online teaching. We discussed item 5 of the document (course demonstration) and concluded the committee may need to be flexible on the May 15th deadline for Fall course demonstrations in certain circumstances.

Gene asked to review the approval process for Fast-Track instructors. We verified that once the proposal review in BOLT is completed, the only remaining requirement is the formative evaluation with Lynn Sandoval.

Scott and Wanda recommended that instructors invite colleagues from their discipline to view their online course demonstrations (if agreeable) as a way to generate interest and ease concerns others may have about online teaching. The committee strongly supported this suggestion.

Jan reviewed a draft letter to new online instructors. This led to a discussion regarding eligibility of hybrid classes for incentives. Although hybrid instructors are not technically eligible for incentives, we agreed on the need for the hybrid classes being offered (particularly Math 55/65 & Spanish 1A). These classes are innovative and are expanding online instruction in underrepresented disciplines. Jan agreed to explore the possibility of offering incentives for these classes.

Wanda expressed concern about Blackboard support during the summer months. Lynn Sandoval will be absent the month of June and Minta Peterson will be on maternity leave for the summer. Jan agreed to follow-up with Lynn to review the formative evaluation deadlines to accommodate the summer work schedule. Jan also suggested inviting Tom Clark to a future meeting to discuss plans to manage these areas during Lynn and Minta?s absences.

Jan invited committee members to attend the February 23 Program Review meeting. Desmond Chun volunteered to attend, and Lisa Ulibarri will try to attend.

Jan shared some statewide projections of online course enrollments. These predict that 20% of all California Community College enrollment will be in online courses by 2016. As of 2005, Chabot?s online enrollment was at 4% of total enrollment versus the state average of 8-9%.

Due to time constraints, item 3 of the agenda was postponed until the March 6th, meeting.

Handouts:

DE Newsletter V1/2
Guidelines for Proposal Reviews
Guides
Letter to New Online Instructors
Fast Track Instructors
Letter to Fast Track Instructors
Letter to Mentors
New Online Instructors Eligible for Mentoring

Checklist for Library