Category Archives: digital

Comparing Credentials: An Update on the Credential Engine

May 24, 2018 – 6:07 am

What does the “higher education of the future” look like? Will it be online? On campus? Virtual? Will we still have the same 4 – 7 year undergraduate degree programs? Or will alternative credentials change the higher education landscape? This future seems a bit complex! Luckily, today we’re joined by Carrie Samson, Communications Manager for […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in access, assessment, badges, cbe, change, collaboration, competency-based learning, credentials, digital content, distance education, innovation, managing, managing online education, online, personalized learning, student services, student success | Comments (0)

Opening a New Path to Success – A Journey with Open Textbooks

April 26, 2018 – 6:00 am

Z Degrees (Zero-Textbook Cost Degrees) are what many consider the holy grail of Open Educational Resources (OER) accomplishments. Today’s guest blogger, Tanya Grosz, Ph. D., Dean of Graduate, Online & Adult Learning, led the open initiative at the University of Northwestern St. Paul—the first institution in Minnesota to create a Z Degree. Tanya and I […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in course design, data, digital content, distance education, edtech, evaluation, faculty development, innovation, leadership, managing, managing online education, OER, online, open content, open education, outcomes, professional development, quality, resource, student services, student success, success, teaching, technology, textbooks, Z Initative | Comments (0)

WCET Summit: Ensuring Ethical and Equitable Access in Digital Learning

April 24, 2018 – 7:00 am

In June 2017, I had the outstanding opportunity to attend my first WCET Leadership Summit. Last year’s event focused on the essential institutional capacities needed to encourage and lead innovation. I specifically remember feeling so invigorated by every session I attended and I truly enjoyed the hallway conversations and the incredibly active social media backchannel. […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in academic integrity, access, accessibility, accountability, adaptive learning, analytics, assessment, collaboration, data, degree-completion, digital content, digital divide, disabilities, distance education, edtech, innovation, leadership, managing, managing online education, online degree, outcomes, professional development, student services, student success, success, technology, WCET, WCET Summit | Comments (0)

Teaching with Wikipedia: A High Impact Open Educational Practice

March 29, 2018 – 6:02 am

This week’s Frontiers Blog is written by one of my OER heroes, Dr. TJ Bliss. Like so many others working to reduce costs and increase open access to education, I was inspired, mentored, and empowered by TJ. In his previous position as the OER Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, TJ granted […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in course design, digital content, digital inclusion, distance education, managing online education, OER, online, online degree, open content, open education | Comments (0)

Open Textbooks and OER in Colorado: Lots of Interest and Great Promise

February 9, 2018 – 5:35 am

This week on WCET Frontiers Blog, Tanya Spilovoy, Ed. D., Director of Open Policy for WCET, discusses the outcomes of the Colorado Open Educational Resources (OER) Council recent work in open textbook initiatives, her research and consulting role with WCET, and how OER can be leveraged to meet state higher education goals. WCET is thrilled […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in 21CFaculty, collaboration, cost, cost effective, digital content, distance education, faculty development, funding, innovation, legislation, managing, managing online education, OER, online, online degree, open content, open education, outcomes, partnership, professional development, research, student services, student success, success, survey, teaching, technology, textbooks, WCET, Z Initative | Comments (0)

Adaptive Learning: Research-Based Principles for Developing Effective Courses

January 18, 2018 – 6:00 am

This week on WCET Frontiers, we are happy to welcome back Niki Bray, Instructor and Instructional Designer with the School of Health Studies at the University of Memphis. Niki is here today to discuss another aspect of adaptive learning: research-based principles for developing effective courses. Niki reviews why higher education leaders should have a solid […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in 21CFaculty, adaptive learning, course design, digital content, distance education, faculty development, instructional design, managing online education, online, professional development, student success, teaching | Comments (0)

Looking Back, Looking Forward

January 16, 2018 – 8:12 am

It seems like all the cool kids are writing about last year’s trends and predicting what will come to pass in 2018. Well, we WCETers don’t want to be left out of the fun! Over the last few weeks I’ve discussed 2017 and 2018 with some of the movers and shakers in the higher ed, […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in access, accessibility, adaptive learning, assessment, cbe, change, competency-based learning, cybersecurity, data, digital content, digital divide, distance education, edtech, futures, HEA, innovation, instructional design, managing online education, mobile learning, OER, personalized learning, predictions, SARA, student success, teaching, technology, virtual, virtual reality, WCET | Comments (2)

Fight the FoMO: Catch up on OER

October 26, 2017 – 2:15 pm

Greetings from beautiful Denver, CO, where WCET Frontiers is joined by our Director of Open Policy, Tanya Spilovoy. Read on to catch up with Tanya on OER events, the Z Initiative, and how you can connect with her (either here at WCET 2017 or after). Thanks Tanya! ~Lindsey Downs, WCET Two exciting events are taking […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in access, distance education, legislation, managing online education, OER, open content, open education, professional development, quality, resource, student affordability, student services, student success, teaching, technology, textbooks, tools, WCET, WCET Annual Meeting | Comments (0)

Blackboard Ally: Tackling Accessibility in Higher Education

October 11, 2017 – 6:26 am

Today we continue the WCET Frontiers series on the 2017 WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Awards. These awards honor member institutions and organizations that develop technology-based solutions to challenging educational needs. We welcome Blackboard to discuss their award winning program Ally. Thank you for your work to increase student success! Enjoy the read and enjoy the […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in accessibility, course design, digital content, disabilities, distance education, faculty development, instructional design, managing online education, student services, student success, teaching, technology, WCET, WCET Annual Meeting, WOW Award | Comments (0)

Digital Credentials for Faculty Professional Development

October 5, 2017 – 6:02 am

I’ve held many conversations with higher education professionals about how to encourage the use of instructional technologies in the classroom. Many times the conversation revolves around the newest innovations, what tool is the most user-friendly, or which new tech will capture student’s attention. Eventually, the conversation typically ends with us talking about faculty training and […]

By Lindsey Rae Downs | Also posted in 21CFaculty, adjunct faculty, badges, course design, credentials, distance education, faculty development, innovation, professional development, teaching, technology, training, WCET Annual Meeting | Comments (0)