ABOUT THE WEBINAR:

After completing the workshop, participants will gain a better understanding of the current standards for designing an effective online course using Quality Matters Standards. The conversation will focus on quality online courses, the needs for national standards, current best practices and institutional policies for promoting quality online course design. This webinar serves as a first step to developing expertise in applying the QM methodology and in building awareness and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to online course design. The target audience is the Southern University System (SUS) and the Louisiana Council of eLearning Practitioners and institutions.

“Recognizing quality is much like recognizing art; everybody sees something different. With regard to online courses, your students, faculty, administrators, peers, and accrediting bodies may not know what to look for in assessing quality. Defining quality standards proves crucial to successful course design and implementation. "

Quality Matters is a nationally recognized organization that promotes quality design of online and blended courses with a peer-review process.

WEBINAR PRESENTER:

Mary Wells has been a dedicated distance learning professional for many years and has extensive experience in telecourse, videoconference and online delivery.  For more than 25 years, she served as the director of distance learning at Anne Arundel Community College and Prince George's Community College in Maryland.  She also spent one year as the Executive Director of MarylandOnline, our statewide consortium. Mary began teaching online in ’94 and has taught online using First Class, WebCT and Blackboard – and now WebTycho.  Currently, she serves as a consultant to Quality Matters. 

Mary was the principal writer of the original Quality Matters FIPSE proposal and the co-director of the QM project, which officially ended on August 31, 2006.  During this three year project, she worked with many other professionals to develop the QM rubric and the process.  She now serves as a trainer and consultant on the rubric and training content.

Ms. Wells served as the elected Northeast representative to the Instructional Technology Council Board for a two-year term and was recognized by that group with a lifetime achievement award in 2006.  She was the recipient of the 1998 Northeast Regional Award of the Instructional Telecommunications Council and the 2001 Distance Education Administrator of the Year Award of the College of the Air Distance Education Consortium (COADEC).

During this year, Mary has done many online QM workshops and f2f training in Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Wyoming and Maryland.  Mary and her husband Paul have been full time RVers, so training all over the country fits neatly into their lifestyle. They feel fortunate to live a life that allows us to move on a whim and to explore our amazing country.

Mary recently moved into a “summer” home in Reno NV, chosen because of its beautiful view, wonderful weather, and proximity to Sacramento CA (where her daughter, son-in-law, and two small grandkids live).

WEBINAR MODERATOR & WELCOME:

Moustapha Diack is Professor of Science/Math Education affiliated with the doctoral program in Science/Mathematics Education, Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is Director and co-founder of the MERLOT Africa Network (MAN). Diack is the recipient of the International MERLOT Innovation Award 2009 and the 2009 Southern University Teacher of the Year Award. Professor Diack is Past-President (2006/2009) of the Louisiana Academy of Sciences. His current research is in the areas of Open Education Resources (OER) and Open Access (OA) as well as the integration of virtual learning environments (VLE) in learning design and assessment. Diack is a certified Train-The-Trainer for Quality Matters/MarylandOnline.

CHAT MODERATOR:

Ms. Cher Crockett is current President of the SUBR Graduate Students Association and a doctoral student in the Ph.D. program in Science/Math Education at Southern University A& M College. Her research interests include online professional development & virtual learning environments. 

For questions and enquiries about this Webinar:
Phone: 225-771-2085
Email: FDL.southernuniversity@gmail.com