Lessons From Combining Online and Classroom Delivery Into Flexible Courses

Presented by:

• Kevin Kelly, Lecturer Faculty & Educational Consultant, San Francisco State University
• Emily Magruder, Director, Institute for Teaching and Learning​, California State University Chancellor’s Office
• Leslie Kennedy, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Technology Services​, California State University Chancellor’s Office

Speaker Bio:

• Kevin Kelly, EdD, works with colleges and universities as a consultant to address distance education, educational technology, learning equity and organizational challenges. He teaches online courses as a Lecturer in the Department of Equity, Leadership Studies, and Instructional Technologies at San Francisco State University, where he previously served for 13 years as the Online Teaching and Learning Manager. Kevin co-authored with Todd Zakrajsek the 2021 Stylus book, Advancing Online Teaching: Creating Equity-Based Digital Learning Environments.
• Dr. Emily Daniell Magruder is the director of the Institute for Teaching in Learning in the California State University (CSU) Office of the Chancellor. In that capacity, she plans professional development to support Graduation Initiative 2025, which aims to increase four- and two-year graduation rates across the 23 CSU campus system, and she works closely with directors of teaching and learning centers to extend the reach and impact of faculty development.
• Leslie Kennedy Ed.D. is responsible for the management, leadership, administration and oversight of the Academic Technology Services with the goal of infusing information technology into the teaching and learning processes, research, scholarship and creative activities, and a full range of student and academic services within the California State University. She is responsible for directing the implementation of existing academic technology initiatives, administration of ATS budgets and personnel. She advises Chancellor’s Office leadership regarding academic technology services and initiatives including but not limited to library services, online education, academic software support, learning management systems, affordable learning solutions and web design.

Session Info:

In this conference session, we will share lessons learned from our efforts to support faculty, instructional designers and campus leaders preparing to offer ‘flexible courses’ that combine online and in-person delivery. Flexible course experiences often follow one or more core principles: 1) learner choice, 2) equivalent learning experiences, 3) reusable tools and course materials, and 4) accessibility (Beatty, 2019). In spring and summer 2021, very few Cal State campuses had the resources to create a whole new set of training materials related to flexible course delivery. Responding to several requests, the Chancellor’s Office team conducted a systemwide survey to identify core challenges for faculty, students, staff and campus leaders. Then it commissioned the Flexible Course Experience Institute, a four-part workshop series followed by open labs for answering questions and building community. Modeling effective online and hybrid teaching practices, the institute followed evidence-based teaching practices like the Transparency in Learning and Teaching framework and Universal Design for Learning principles. The discussions focused on sharing practical strategies such as how to create a cohesive learning experience for learners in both online and in-person environments and how to support students who enroll in flexible courses. The institute served staff across the system who needed to train faculty at their local campus, as well as faculty who wanted to get a head start on preparing for the fall. The institute itself has been shared as an open, free Creative Commons work for campuses to use as needed. Subsequently the Chancellor’s Office has fostered a community of practice among interested campuses. Academic technology and faculty development leaders have shared their own resources, classroom configurations, and stories told by multiple stakeholders.

Join us as we review teaching and supporting flexible courses over the last academic year and seek to improve for the next year.

Session Outcomes:

• Identify core challenges for faculty, students, staff and campus leaders when offering courses that combine online and in-person delivery.
• Describe effective strategies for individuals and/or for entire institutions preparing to teach, learn in or support flexible delivery courses.
• Outline strategies for building a statewide community of practice that includes faculty, instructional designers and campus leaders.

Session Resources:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yC1vU62jt8eGwIaN_rQwAZNqbLdPLs9ppLV-vGS9WoM/edit?usp=sharing

View the Recorded Session