Your  Account:

Online Learning & Experiences

Technology is changing quickly and influencing the development of new models of teaching and learning. At the same time, these new technologies are playing an increasingly important role in society. CSUSM desires to provide continuity in the quality and climate of the educational environment as we move to incorporate online instruction and experiences into the mainstream of instruction.

  • Technology including Virtual & Augmented Reality (VAR) is changing quickly and influencing the development of new models
  • Teaching and learning as well as the consumption of media/events will be impacted by the changing world of online/experiential technologies
  • Faculty and Students are looking for academic and other programs that provide opportunities to bring in experts that can address regional and global trends, meet workforce needs, and complement the university’s mission 
  • Online education and experiences, could extend to programs/events and can provide multiple delivery methods that expand options and participation
  • Supports diverse student learning styles and student schedule objectives
  • Provides methods to expand the number of course and degree completion rates and could be used for even

Big Ideas (3-5 years)

  • Competency-based Education (CBE)
  • Workforce Development
  • NextGen Learning Management System (NextGen Digital Learning Environment)
  • ACE credit recommendations and other credit for prior learning options for transfer to degree programs

Campus Connection

  • Academic Excellence - 1.3 Develop and offer programs that address regional and global trends and complement the university mission
  • Course Redesign - identify and develop online options for bottleneck courses.
  • Graduation Initiative 2025 - expand the number of online courses to increase degree completion rates

What is IITS already doing related to Online Learning?

  • Support fully online degree offerings through Extended Learning
  • Faculty specialized training on technologies and teaching methods for online instruction
  • Quality reviews - creating effective methods to assess
  • Non-traditional support
  • Cougar Courses training - providing common self-help guides
  • Support for mobilizing online learning and Cougar Courses from Enterprise Systems and Systems Development

Who else might we need to bring into a conversation about Online Learning?

  • Extended Learning - online degree programs
  • Colleges/Departments/Faculty
  • Instructional & Information Technology Services (IITS) - provide technical support consistent to all other students
  • Academic Programs - University-level curriculum review and approval
  • Student Services - same basic privileges as other students for online learners

What may need to be expanded in terms of services, systems, etc. if Online Learning surfaces as a key area of focus from campus stakeholders?

  • Hardware
  • Instructional developers
  • Training ->faculty & students
  • Student support from across campus

What are our internal assets and challenges to meet Online Learning needs, if adopted?

  • Faculty need support from teaching assistants
  • Non-traditional support - 24/7 assistance for students and faculty
  • Faculty buy-in
  • Testing Center - challenge of proctored exams, online exams monitored by humans, or online exams monitored by computers
  • Tracking for Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) compliance - substantive change requirements
  • Transfer Credit - articulation and course approval by departments
  • Time length of course
  • Faculty perceptions
  • Student Identification Authentication - ability to verify the identity of online students throughout the cycle of the course

What are people asking for? What issues are IITS aware of?

  • Access to courses - course redesign and eliminating bottleneck courses
  • Workforce Development ->community engagement/re.. need
  • Testing Center ->validate student ID
  • CSU Fully Online, AB 386 Courses, and Extended Learning online course offerings - more options for students to complete degree requirements