Repairing Our Reputation Post-Covid: A Conversation

Audience Level: 
All
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Special Session: 
Leadership
Abstract: 

The online learning community needs to repair the public's perception of online learning in the context of the past year of emergency remote instruction. This will be a panel discussion moderated by Thomas Cavanagh where panelists will share their impressions of how to repair the reputation of online learning post-COVID.

Extended Abstract: 

As discussed during a recent episode of the Teaching Online (TOPcast) podcast (Ep. 87), the online learning community needs to repair the public's perception of online learning in the context of the past year of emergency remote instruction. As colleges and universities look to the post-pandemic future, there is a large population of students both in K-12 and in post-secondary institutions whose only experience with online learning has been through "emergency remote/synchronous instruction." This type of digital learning does not represent the best practices of online course design and delivery that have been honed through 25 years of research and experience.

This session will be a panel discussion moderated by podcast co-host and UCF Vice Provost Thomas Cavanagh and will feature leaders of the organizations that comprise the National Council for Online Education. Jennifer Mathes from OLC has already committed and has agreed to reach out to the other organizational leaders. In the event that the other NCOE organizational leaders are unable to participate in the panel (either live or virtual), this session will be conducted as a “fireside chat” between Tom Cavanagh and Jennifer Mathes covering the same subject.

Panelists will share their impressions of how to repair the reputation of online learning post-COVID. It is suggested that this panel discussion be positioned as a featured session.

To listen to the referenced podcast and review a collection of relevant resources and links: https://cdl.ucf.edu/topcast-s06e87/

Conference Track: 
Leadership and Institutional Strategy
Session Type: 
Education Session
Intended Audience: 
Administrators
Faculty
Instructional Support
Training Professionals
All Attendees