Online Learning Update

By Ashley A. Smith, Inside Higher Ed
Accreditor’s [HLC] rejection of Scottsdale Community College’s online expansion suggests that consistency and mandated faculty training could become a focus for quality control in online education.  A regional accreditor recently denied an Arizona community college’s bid to increase its online degree offerings, with a decision that highlights challenges colleges may face when seeking to expand their online presence. In a peer review report, which Inside Higher Ed obtained, HLC’s reviewers described “strong foundational components critical to online delivery and a clear passion for such delivery.  In particular, the reviewers found a lack of required training for online instruction. “SCC’s contract with the faculty was cited as the reason training could not be mandated. Further authority for reviewing and overseeing online delivery was pushed down to the department level.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/09/15/accreditor-denies-arizona-community-colleges-bid-expand-online