EPCOT: eCore Prototype Community of Teaching

Audience Level: 
All
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Abstract: 

The University System of Georgia eCore program has a large impactful group of online faculty. The online faculty who teach online core-level undergraduate classes for eCore are mostly full-time (80%) faculty. This session will explore the benefits of  faculty partictipation in eCore "certification", instruction, course development and revision projects and faculty support and services. 

Extended Abstract: 

 

Through enrollment and faculty management, eCore provides quality online core courses in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, Quantitative Skills and Communication. Faculty are a critical part of eCore’s consistent and increasing student success and growth. The online faculty teaching eCore represent 27 accredited colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia.  

 

After undergoing and successfully completing initial online faculty certification, new instructors are paired with an experienced eCore faculty member for the duration of their first term with eCore. This mentorship includes collaboration and pedagogical guidance as the mentees teach their first semester of eCore.

 

eCore faculty participate in continued professional development through the Garden of eCore Faculty Community. The Community includes a knowledge base (Seeds of Knowledge), discipline area discussions forum (Subjects Nests) and a Seminar Yard which hosts live and recorded webinars. 

Small teams of eCore faculty conduct major and periodic revisions of each of the eCore online courses with the guidance of an eCore Instructional Designer. eCore faculty have also recently adopted, adapted and created Open Educational Resources (OERs) and open-texts for the entire eCore curriculum. 

 

 

Session Type: 
Education Session - Individual or Dual Presentation