Cultivating Awareness: One Online University’s Story

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Cultivating Awareness: One Online University’s Story

Jackie Dutot

Karen MattisonJuly 12, 2010

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Who We Are

Jackie Dutot.- MA, Assistive Technology Applications

Certificate.- Disability Services, Assistive Technology

Specialist.

Karen Mattison.- MFA. Current doctoral student.- Manager of Course Development.

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Learning Objectives

• Learn how one university is cultivating awareness in an online world.

• Gain a better understanding of effective activities.

• Use your own story.

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Creating Awareness in an Online Organization

• A story of an online university.

• Our expertise is creating awareness.

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The Setting: Capella University

• 100% online.

• Over 37,000 learners.

• 5 schools offering 129 specializations:- School of Business and Technology.

- School of Education.

- Harold Abel School of Behavioral Sciences.

- School of Public Service Leadership.

- School of Undergraduate Studies.

• 12% military.

• Learners in all 50 states and 52 countries.

• Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

• Member institution of Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).

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The Plot: Where We Began

1. Access issues were reported.

2. The search for fixes led to Course Development Department.

3. Course content was improved and learner gained access.

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The Plot: Where We Began

4. We decided to become proactive!

5. Reviewed and improved courses for learner.• It worked: He graduated.

6. University wide course review began.

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Character: Course Development

• Course development is centralized:- Instructional designers + faculty experts =

engaging, rigorous, accessible course experiences.

- Project managers, editors, and producers contribute to accessibility.

• Using accessibility checklist, we can check our courses for major accessibility issues.

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Character: University Accessibility Project

• University Accessibility Project was born.

• A cross-functional team is answering, “How accessible are we?”

• Goal: one year to evaluate situations and propose solutions.

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More Characters: Necessary Partners

• Business leadership — our sponsor.• Faculty and academic leadership.• Faculty training and development.• IT, including technology purchasing, Web and interactive design,

and technology labs.• Curriculum & course content creation.• Legal.• Library and course material suppliers.• Marketing.• Learner support and advising.• Financial aid.• Enrollment and admissions.

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The Plot Continues: Getting Support

• Getting support from campus leaders.- Shared real stories of learner challenges.

- Partnered with legal department.

- Researched a business case for accessibility.

- Shared external evaluation results.

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The Plot Continues: Getting Support

• Tied our story to business strategies.

• Brought clear solutions.

• Asked for support, not solutions.

• Balanced the emotional pull with the business requirements.

• We talked to everyone. We networked.

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Questions We Asked

• Business partners: what do you need?• Questions for vendors:

- What efforts has your company made for universal design?

- Do you have a 508 accessibility statement?- With which assistive technologies has your

product been tested? Results?- What is your schedule for further

improvement?

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Free Resources

• Borrowed a student story: WebAIM video.

• WAVE, Web Accessibility Evaluation tool.

• Web accessibility guidelines shaped a checklist for course development.

• Found how-to guidelines for creating accessible documents.

• Took every possible training online.

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Measurements of Success

• Successes:- External evaluation completed.

- Internal review of departments completed.

- Accessibility expectations added to processes.

- Checklists and tools are created.

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Measurements of Success

• Additional Successes:- Increased awareness.

- Staff members are interested and engaged.

- Shared ownership of providing access.

- Universal design discussions occurring.

- Funding for additional resources.

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The Next Chapter

What’s your story?

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What’s Your Setting?

• Where does your content development live?

• How can you look at your delivery structure?

• What are your strengths?

• What are your issues or fears about online delivery?

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Who Are Your Characters?

• Technology?

• Academic?

• Legal and policy?

• Training?

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Support from Campus Leaders

• What are your top access issues?

• What student stories can you share?

• What data can you dig up?

• What is the business case at your school?

• How do your school’s values align?

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Questions To Ask

• What questions do you need to ask of your business partners?

• Vendors and other providers?

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Measurements of Success

• Need to increase awareness?

• Want to identify gaps?

• Want to share the ownership of accessibility?

• Need checkpoints?

• Need accessibility added to course development process?

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Use Free Resources

• Determine what you need:- A portable student story?- Evaluation tools?- Checklists?- How-to guidelines?- Training?- Interns? Grad students?

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The Cliff’s Notes

• You don’t need:- A lot of money. - To answer every question.- A fix for every problem.

• You DO need: - Your story.- Real student stories.- Ties to your institution’s values. - To talk to anyone who will listen.

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Session Question

How does this session help you understand where your campus stands in the paradigm shift from individualized accommodations to accessibility through universal design?

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Session Question

What from this session would you take to key stakeholders on your campus?

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Session Question

How might you implement a version of this story or a part of this story on your campus?

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Session Question

What are future implications from this story?

Examples:• Training needs.• Change strategies.• Tools and resources.• Policies and procedures.• Research.• Involvement of personnel, students and others. • Procurement. • Coursework.

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Contact Us

Jackie Dutot • jacqueline.dutot@capella.edu

Karen Mattison• karen.mattison@capella.edu