Cultivating Awareness: One Online University’s Story
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Transcript of Cultivating Awareness: One Online University’s Story
© 2010 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute
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 • [email protected]
Karen Mattison• [email protected]