WASC Definition of 距离 Education

距离 education is defined, for the purpose of accreditation review as a formal interaction which uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and which supports regular and substantive interaction between the students and instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously. 距离 education often incorporates technologies such as the internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices; audio conferencing; or video cassettes, DVDs, and CD-ROMs, in conjunction with any 的 other technologies (ACCJC, 2010).

WASC认可政策 & 担忧

的 Accrediting Commission for 社区 and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) 的 Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) oversees accreditation 在PCC. Since distance education 课程 alter many aspects of traditional course delivery and design, it is necessary to be aware of and understand the aspects of WASC accreditation policies and requirements as they pertain to teaching 在PCC.

WASC政策指引

ACCJC policy specifies that all learning opportunities provided by our accredited institutions have the same 质量, accountability, and focus on student outcomes, whether they are delivered electronically or by more traditional means. 目的 的 policy is to provide a framework that allows institutions the flexibility to adapt their delivery modes to the emerging needs of students and society while maintaining 质量. Any institution offering 课程 and programs electronically is expected to meet the requirements of accreditation in each of its 课程 and programs and at each of its sites (ACCJC, 2010).

这在PCC意味着什么

Regardless of mode of delivery, all 课程 and programs should provide the same level of instruction. This means that face-to-face instruction and distance education 课程 need to have the same course 质量 standards and learning outcomes. 个别机构 can create their own methods of assessing the effectiveness of distance education 课程, but those 课程 should still meet WASC accreditation requirements.

WASC政策要素

的 following is a summary of WASC policy as it relates to distance education:

• All aspects of course design, delivery and assessment for distance education 课程 should support the institution’s overall mission. Oversight for this process is the institution’s responsibility.
• Learning outcomes for distance education 课程 and programs should be clearly defined.
• 支持 and services should be provided to meet learning outcomes.
• Student outcomes should be measured through assessment and evaluation with provisions 进行持续评估.
• Institutions should have procedures to verify student authentication and participation 状态. 的se procedures should also protect the privacy of each student.

Additional WASC 认证 担忧

的 following is a list of accreditation concerns that most directly affect course 设计与实施:

• 距离 education course standards should be the same as in face-to-face classrooms and the mode of course delivery should be appropriate for the course content.
• 距离 education should be compared with corresponding traditional 课程 and programs in order to meet institutional learning outcomes and 质量 standards.
• 教师应具备:
  • 适当的培训.
  • Means for ongoing professional development.
  • Sufficient resources for technical and pedagogical support.
  • 的 same evaluation system as in the face-to-face classroom.
• 学生应具备:
  • Appropriate technical and pedagogical training in the course delivery method.
  • Expectations that distance education 课程 will provide the same level of instruction 作为面对面的课程.
  • A clear idea about the technical skills needed for the course
  • 的 same level of interaction with and access to the instructor as in face-to-face 课程.
  • 的 same access to support services as on-campus students.