Quality Enhancement Plan - Executive Summary
“A Quest for Quality in Online Instruction”
Introduction
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Steering Committee was formed in the Spring semester of 2006. The committee was charged with gathering information from the college community regarding opportunities for improvement at Southside. Data collection was performed via surveys, focus groups, and interviews. A short list of topics was identified as a result of this procedure. Due to the massive geographical service region the college serves, the proliferation of online courses, and rising gas prices, the QEP Steering Committee chose to focus on improving online learning.
QEP Goals
A total of fourteen goals were established to guide the successful implementation of the QEP. Below is a sample of the goals.
1. Develop best practices for online instruction.
2. Develop and implement a student online readiness assessment tool.
3. Create a template for online and hybrid courses.
4. Make necessary student services available online.
5. Compare the variability in student success between online/seated courses.
6. Provide relevant professional development opportunities for online faculty.
7. Incorporate the QEP into the college’s strategic planning process.
8. Improve the college’s website to support online learners.
For a complete list including their rationale and supporting criterion, see the official QEP document below.
QEP Implementation
After the QEP Steering Committee fulfilled its charge the membership combined with the membership of the college’s Teaching and Learning Through Technology (TLTR) committee to form the QEP Implementation Committee. This new committee is co-chaired by a faculty member from each campus. Its charge is to facilitate the achievement of all fourteen QEP in accordance with the QEP timeline. Implementation is being administered through fourteen QEP Implementation Sub Committees who meet regularly concerning their goal and report back to the main QEP Implementation Committee.
QEP Outcomes
The effect of such a well constructed Quality Enhancement Plan is already evident. Improvements in the usability of the college’s website and distance learning pages have been well received by students and faculty. In addition, student success in online courses has increased 5% over the year prior to the QEP’s implementation. The QEP Implementation Committee’s energy and focus continue to keep the institution on track in realizing this worthwhile initiative. For more information concerning SVCC’s QEP, its development, or its implementation, please contact Chad Patton, Dean of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness via email at the following address: chad.patton@southside.edu.
Resources
The_Official_QEP_Document_2_15_09
SVCC_Distance_Education_Best_Practices
BLACKBOARD_TEMPLATE_FOR_DISTANCE_LEARNING
Implementation Minutes
QEP Implementation Minutes - March 13, 2008
QEP Implementation Minutes - April 17, 2008
QEP Implementation Minutes - September 11, 2008
QEP Implementation Minutes - October 15, 2008