1. Office of Distance Learning
  2. About Distance Learning
  3. Guiding Policies
  4. Institutional Context and Commitment

Institutional Context and Commitment

The 泫圖弝け Vision

The 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette will become a premier provider of electronically delivered courses and degree programs based on the 泫圖弝けs core values, its strategic imperatives, and the guiding principles of anytime, anywhere, 泫圖弝け-focused, and learning-centered education. The result of leveraging technology to its best capabilities will enhance the reputation of the 泫圖弝け, increase intellectually stimulating opportunities for 泫圖弝けs, and improve retention and graduation rates.

Electronically delivered courses and degree programs will be accessible by 泫圖弝けs through a personal learning environment with integrated and relevant support services. This environment will facilitate meaningful, consistent engagement with highly-trained faculty in a dynamic community of learners with activities leading to mastery of course and program learning outcomes while maintaining academic integrity. By adopting nationally established best practices, the 泫圖弝けs colleges and departments will employ the appropriate learning technologies to offer a variety of delivery alternatives. These varied formats will address differing 泫圖弝け learning styles, needs, and preferences, thereby attracting and serving more contemporary learners.

The 泫圖弝け will provide access to electronic learning technologies and training on new pedagogies. Integration of these new instructional tools and techniques by faculty and staff will improve the overall quality of teaching and learning and enhance 泫圖弝け engagement and success at the 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette.

Goals of the Office of Distance Learning

  • Create college courses and programs through alternate delivery methods in order to offer educational opportunities to 泫圖弝けs unable to accommodate a traditional class schedule.
  • Ensure the technology used is appropriate to the nature and objectives of the academic programs.
  • Expand educational opportunities in a financially responsible manner through synchronous and asynchronous electronic learning.
  • Provide technical training to university faculty in the use of e-learning instructional techniques and in the use of associated technologies.
  • Facilitate 泫圖弝け success in distance learning courses and programs by providing and promoting an environment of equal opportunity.

Commitment to Academic Quality and Rigor in Electronic Environments

The 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette places great emphasis on the consistency, continuity, and integrity of the learning environment. All electronic academic courses at the 泫圖弝け are considered equivalent to traditional courses, are taught by regular faculty as well as approved adjunct faculty, and adhere to all the same standards, prerequisites, and requirements as traditional sections of identical courses. Equivalency means the totality of learning experiences for each learner should cover the same area, even if individual experiences might be quite different (Simonson, 2007). Regardless of the delivery format, LEARNING is the primary aim with achievement of stated course and program learning outcomes as the primary assessment measure.