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New Benchmarks for Distance EdAn innovative NEA study attempts to identify distance education programs that provide high quality learning and strong faculty support. A new report, commissioned by NEA’s higher education department, sets out the benchmarks that ought to be met to provide quality distance education. The study, conducted by the Institute for Higher Education Policy on behalf of NEA and Blackboard, Inc., a Web site platform provider, examined six campuses with a history of offering distance education. The survey aimed to determine if these institutions use benchmarks and if the benchmarks used are appropriate for insuring quality. Among the important faculty benchmarks identified by the study: the need for technical assistance in course development, assistance with the transition from classroom teaching to online instruction, and training in the use of distance technologies. Among the teaching/learning benchmarks: the need for student interaction with faculty and each other, feedback to students about assignments and questions, and instruction in effective research methods. The study findings will be on the NEA higher ed Web site, www.nea.org/he, in mid-March. The National Foundation for the Improvement of Education—a non-profit organization founded by NEA to promote projects that improve public education—has leadership grants available for high-quality professional development for educators at all levels. Up to 50 grants of $1,000 will be awarded to educators, including public higher education faculty and staff. The next deadline is October 15. Applications and guidelines are available on the NFIE Web site: www.nfie.org. NEA higher education leaders and staff met in Washington, D.C. in February to continue work begun last year by NEA’s higher ed task force. The goal: A focused response to the increasing number of attacks on higher education, and a focused national message about the importance of higher education to students and to state economies. A special feature of NEA’s Conference 2000 this spring will be the presentation of the second annual NEA Excellence in the Academy awards. The awards recognize articles on topics that further NEA’s commitment to higher education. For more information on the conference, check www.nea.org/he. |
