Managing Online Education 2013: Practices In Ensuring Quality – Final Results

The Managing Online Education survey was conducted by WCET (the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies) in partnership with BCcampus, Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium, and eCampusAlberta in the Spring of 2013. The focus of this survey is on practices that promote quality in online education, especially in terms of an institution demonstrating leadership or providing services that enhance faculty and student success. Key findings include:

• Institutions are Adopting Standards.
• Course Completion Rates Averaged 3-5 Percent Better for On-Campus Over Online Courses.
• Institutions Don’t Know Their Course Completion Rates.
• Online Course Content is Developed by Faculty.
• Many Institutions Require Faculty Development in Teaching Online and Require Reviews of New Courses.
• Institutions are Providing Academic Support Services at a Distance. The vast majority of institutions offer library services and advising to online students. Fewer, but still a majority, offer tutoring services.
• 24/7 Technical Services are Not the Norm. Only about one-third (30 percent) of institutions offer 24/7 technical support for students.
• More Assistance for Those with Disabilities Needed.
• Institutions are Working on Curbing Online Academic Cheating.
• Student Orientations to Online Learning are Rarely Required.