Center for Distributed Learning
University of Central Florida

Distributed Learning: Scope and Policies
Revised October 25, 2007

Introduction

Distributed learning policies at UCF recognize the variety of distributed learning modes and the evolving and respective stages of development of each mode. Therefore, the following policies are couched in terms of the delivery mode, as well as the stage of development of a specific mode and the instructor's experience and level of involvement. Policies are provided for assignment, compensation, reuse of materials and software, intellectual property rights, and academic freedom. Policies herein apply existing University policies or Board of Regents - United Faculty of Florida (BOR-UFF) Bargaining Agreement requirements to Distributed Learning (DL) teaching and learning environments.

1. Course Delivery Modes and Standards

1.1 Principles of Good Practice

UCF adheres to The Principles of Good Practice as defined by the Southern Regional Education Board for the Electronic Campus (SREC). The principles draw upon the work of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and other governing bodies that oversee distance education programs (Ex. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). All UCF courses and programs listed in the Electronic Campus have been reviewed against the Principles of Good Practice and have been coordinated through the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) These Principles are fully enumerated at http://www.ecinitiatives.org/publications/principles.asp (see Appendix A).

1.2 Faculty Development

Well-trained, prepared and supported faculty members are critical to delivery of quality distributed learning courses and student success. Therefore, the university provides faculty development opportunities (e.g. IDL 6543 and ADL 5000) to help faculty prepare to teach distributed learning courses. The Office of Instructional Resources provides faculty development and support for teaching interactive television (ITV) courses. Course Development & Web Services (CDWS) provides faculty development and support for teaching W, M, and E courses. The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) provides faculty development and support for pedagogy in any course modality but primarily for non-Web based courses.

1.3 Faculty Qualifications.

Faculty that deliver W and M courses faculty will receive the support and benefit of the resources of Course Development & Web Services, the Center for Distributed Learning, and Computer Services and Telecommunications. Those faculty members that are recognized as qualified to teach M or W courses are certified under the following conditions:

• Successful completion of the IDL 6543 faculty development course,
• Successful completion of the ADL 5000 faculty development course, or
• Sufficient prior academic experience in online teaching as determined by the Director of CDWS and CDL.

Faculty who desire to develop and/or teach Web-based courses independent of support from the Center for Distributed Learning and Course Development & Web Services must have approval from their Department Chair and Dean before offering the course online. Furthermore, faculty who propose to provide Web courses or Web-based program delivery in a grant or contract must submit this intention to the Center for Distributed Learning after approval from the chair of the faculty member's department. The Center for Distributed Learning will ascertain that either Course Development & Web Services or the college technical support office is prepared to provide the required support for these courses. The purpose of this requirement is to avoid commitments of university resources without identifying the source and funding for these resources within the university, just as space and equipment commitments must be approved.

If university supported online faculty development support is not pursued, the College and the Department must be prepared to provide full support for the faculty member and the learners in the course(s). This is an accreditation requirement that will not be waived. Full support according to accreditation guidelines includes the provision of a suitable, reliable server, licensed software, faculty training, learner training and support, and assurance that the Principles of Good Practice referenced in this document are met. The Dean will provide to the Director of Distributed Learning documentation indicating compliance with these standards along with a recommendation that the course is to be offered online. The Director will then decide if the request from the College or Department meets the Principles of Good Practice, is in compliance with accreditation standards, and ultimately whether the courses may be offered online.

1.4 Evaluations

Student evaluations of instructors are conducted for all online courses including distributed learning modalities. Special institutional assessment of the impact of distributed learning instruction and student learning is being conducted for M and W courses. The Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness (RITE) provides faculty support for assessing instructional effectiveness in distributed learning courses and provides university administrators with data and information on the impact of distributed learning on faculty and students. Longitudinal research and data collection include student demographics, withdrawal and retention rates, success rates, student and faculty satisfaction, and student learning styles.

1.5 Delivery Mode Policies and Practices

UCF is a leader in the use of digital media and computer technologies in instruction. Students are advised that any course may require use a computer, computer labs, e-mail, the World Wide Web, or other digital resources and support software.

The principal delivery modes of distributed learning courses at UCF and their respective class schedule descriptions are:

1.5.1 Video streamed courses are digitally recorded, usually during live face-to-face class sections. These digital recordings are made available for on-demand streaming over the WWW. The College of Engineering and Computer Sciences FEEDs program is the originator of this delivery modality and it has evolved from a longstanding statewide program to provide course instruction via videocassette recordings.  The COECS has established a major technical support center for their video and Web-based courses. Other UCF course delivery in this manner is to be modality coded as V. The policies established by COECS video course delivery apply in general to any video course offered by UCF.

Faculty compensation and assignment for video streamed instruction has been based upon policies established in the College of Engineering and Computer Science that consider class size and course development time or time for the production of special video presentation materials. Normally, this will mean that such courses are taught on an in-load basis, with possible release time in accordance with college polices. Faculty are not normally provided release time for development of course materials in this mode, although experiments are underway in the college to use multimedia in this program. Those faculty who participate in these experiments may be provided support and some release time for the development of these materials.

The official modality codes related to the video streaming delivery mode are:

V     Video Streaming -- courses delivered over the Web via streaming digital video and may be supplemented by additional Web activity, projects or exams.

LV     Face to Face/VS-Origination -- class meetings are recorded for subsequent video streaming over the Web.

RV     ReducedSeatTime/Video Stream -- courses include streaming video delivered over the Web that substitutes for some classroom meetings.

1.5.2 Interactive television delivery has been implemented between the Orlando campus and area campuses in Volusia and Brevard Counties, and between the Orlando campus and selected instructional centers. These courses are synchronous, live televised courses delivered via 2-way compressed video on T1 lines, in which the faculty member teaches to a face-to-face student group in the live (L) section and to remote (T) sections at area campuses and instructional centers. Students at the remote sites can interact with the faculty member and students at the other sites via the interactive two-way audio and video system.

As faculty are assigned ITV course instructional assignments they will be provided an orientation to this mode of instruction prior to teaching the course for the first time by either the Office of Instructional Resources (OIR) or by the respective college instructional support office. Release time will be provided for such orientation when resources permit; where possible, support for development of teaching materials and visual or audio aides may be provided by the college or by OIR. Web-based instructional materials to enhance ITV courses can be developed by either Course Development & Web Services or by the college instructional support office.

At the area campuses and university centers, technical support will be provided by campus or center staff. Academic support at the remote sites can be provided by the area campus staff or by faculty or staff from the participating academic department, resources permitting.

When ITV courses are taught by faculty on a regular basis, faculty assignments should reflect the nature of this assignment in consideration of class size, number of sections, and any support provided by teaching assistants. ITV courses will be taught on an in-load basis, but additional release time may be provided to the faculty member by the colleges depending upon the load factors mentioned above and the respective college's policies.

The official modality codes related to the interactive television delivery mode are:

T     2-Way Interactive TV -- courses delivered via live two-way interactive television to selected locations. Class meetings are at a remote site from the instructor.

L     Face to Face/ITV-Origination -- courses delivered via live two-way interactive television to selected locations. Class meetings are at the origination site with the instructor.

MT     ReduceSeatTime/Mixed /ITV Recv -- an M class with class meetings conducted via 2-way interactive television. Class meetings are at a remote site from the instructor.

ML     ReduceSeatTime/Mixed/ITV-LO -- an M class with class meetings conducted via 2-way interactive television. Class meetings are at the origination site with the instructor.

1.5.3 Web-based instruction includes fully Web-based courses (W) which are delivered through the Internet and are accessible anywhere, anytime. They may include a face-to-face orientation at the beginning of the term and/or proctored examinations. Mixed mode courses (M) combine Web delivery and synchronous or live class delivery where the Web-based instruction substitutes for some face-to-face class time. (For example, a 3-hour M course will now have one or two live class meetings rather than the usual three.) Instruction via these modes conforms to the technology and pedagogical practices promulgated by UCF's Distributed Learning Faculty Development initiative (e.g., IDL 6543 and ADL 5000).

Support for the development of Web-based courses and programs is provided to faculty in departments and programs identified through a planning process guided by the Director from the Center for Distributed Learning.

Web-based courses require substantial time and resources to produce. For courses developed through special funding provided through the Center for Distributed Learning, faculty will be given the option of a one-course release or a dual compensation contract in the term during which the course is being developed. Faculty must successfully complete IDL 6543, the faculty development course designed to prepare faculty to teach online courses prior to teaching an M or W course. Faculty will work with the staff of Course Development & Web Services (CD&WS) to develop these courses. CD&WS also offers more abbreviated training programs, specifically ADL 5000 for instructors who are preparing to take over and teach a pre-existing W or M class. The resources of CD&WS will be available to faculty both during the development of the course and its first offering. Web-based courses and those that incorporate extensive use of the Web will be hosted by UCF's IT&R resources, and supported by Computer Services and Course Development & Web Services.

All faculty teaching W courses will maintain virtual office hours responding via e-mail, phone, the Web, or other means to students seeking course or program advice. When faculty teach Web-based courses on a regular basis, faculty assignments and evaluations should reflect the nature of this assignment in consideration of class size, number of sections, and any support provided by teaching assistants. Web-based courses are normally taught on an in-load basis, but additional release time or overload may be provided the faculty member by the college depending upon the load factors mentioned above and the respective college's policies.

The official modality codes related to the Web-based delivery mode are:

WW     World Wide Web -- courses conducted fully via Web-based instruction and collaboration. Courses may require proctored examinations, and may include opportunities for face-to-face orientations, but there will be no class attendance requirements.

M     ReduceSeatTime/Mixed Mode -- courses include both required classroom attendance and online instruction. All M classes have substantial activity conducted over the Web, which will substitute for some classroom meetings.

MT     ReduceSeatTime/Mixed /ITV Recv -- an M class with class meetings conducted via 2-way interactive television. Class meetings are at a remote site from the instructor.

ML     ReduceSeatTime/Mixed/ITV-LO -- an M class with class meetings conducted via 2-way interactive television. Class meetings are at the origination site with the instructor.

2. General Policies on Intellectual Property Rights, Disclosure of Interest, Outside Employment or Conflict of Interest

All policies listed below stem from existing BOR and university rules, policies, and requirements of the Collective Bargaining Agreement as they apply to distributed learning.

2.1 Intellectual Property Rights

Videotapes for UCF FEEDS courses are erased at the conclusion of the course and are not reused or resold; therefore, intellectual property rights of these materials are not normally an issue (for reuse see the general policy on reuse of intellectual property). Should the sale or license of such materials be proposed, it should be noted that all UCF courses are the sole property of UCF and cannot be sold, licensed, or distributed without the written approval of the Provost.

ITV or Web-based courses developed with university resources use a team of technical support experts and faculty to develop materials and software used in the course. Accordingly, UCF maintains a right to such materials or software. These materials may be licensed by mutual agreement between UCF and the individual(s) who developed the materials and must allow for a minimum of 50 percent royalty to UCF. This requirement is consistent with university and State University System policies regarding textbook authorship and production or patents and copyrights of inventions and works where the university may assert a right or interest if substantial university resources were used in the development or production of the book or invention.

2.2 Reuse of Intellectual Property

Software or other materials such as videotapes, graphics, or websites that were developed by Course Development & Web Services, the Office of Instructional Resources or other campus support units may be used to support other courses. However, if the software or materials were developed primarily by the faculty member, they may be reused only with the permission of the faculty member, or if the faculty member is no longer available the appropriate administrator can provide such permission. Further, should UCF reuse the course, the faculty member who developed it shall be compensated by either a reduction in assignment (i.e., the repeated course may be considered at one-half its contact hour equivalent in the faculty load), or through financial considerations such as royalties that are spelled out in a memorandum of agreement between the faculty member and the dean of the college.

2.3 Sale or License Agreements

In accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the UFF and the Florida Board of Regents, should the faculty member wish to sell or license the software or materials that were developed for the course, the faculty member must disclose such intentions to UCF. Upon such notification, UCF's President or designated representative will inform the faculty member whether UCF seeks an interest in the work, and a written agreement shall thereafter be negotiated to reflect the interests of both parties, including provisions relating the equities of the employee and the allocation of proceeds resulting from such work. This policy applies to all intellectual property that can be classified as inventions and works in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and is not limited to distributed learning products.

2.4 Disclosure Process

When a university employee acting on behalf of the university, or for personal interests, intends to sell or license intellectual property or other inventions or works as defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement that are developed or planned to be developed as an employee of the university, the employee should notify the Vice President for Research of such intentions. The Vice President will inform the employee of any applicable university rules or regulations and of any interest the university may have in such property. Under no circumstances may a UCF course, regardless of delivery format, be sold or licensed without written permission from the college dean, the Vice President for Research, and the Provost. Income received by the university from intellectual property is placed in an account managed and maintained by the Vice President and expended according to policy set by the Vice President.

2.5 Outside Employment and Conflict of Interest Reporting Requirements

No UCF course may be offered by a faculty member for another college, university, agency or private corporation without prior written permission of the Provost.

Employees who wish to consult or provide professional services outside the scope of the university must request permission to do so, or report their intention (for unit employees) to engage in any such activity on form AA 21. Further, if a university employee wishes to use university facilities, students, equipment, materials or software, for personal or outside professional purposes, permission must be requested in advance using form AA 22. Forms AA 21 and AA 22 are available in the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and in the office of each college dean.

2.6 Academic Freedom and Responsibility

Academic freedom and responsibility for faculty who are in the bargaining unit are described in Article 5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Florida Board of Regents and the United Faculty of Florida. This article says in part, "Consistent with the exercise of academic responsibility, employees shall have freedom to present and discuss their own academic subjects, frankly and forthrightly, without fear of censorship, and to select instructional materials and determine grades in accordance with university and Board policies. Objective and skillful exposition of such subject matter, including the acknowledgment of a variety of scholarly opinions, is the duty of every such employee. Employees shall also be free to engage in scholarly and creative activity and publish the results in a manner consistent with their professional obligations." The implication of this language is that faculty control the content of their courses subject to the above conditions and are free to publish results of their research. The university exercises control of course offerings as described in the following section.

2.7 Oversight of Accreditation Standards - Distributed Learning Course Delivery

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that has published a draft policy, Definitions and Guidelines for Distance Education. The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for determining that the guidelines are met. The general areas of the guidelines that must be addressed include: Curriculum and Instruction (rigor of program, appropriate technologies, currency of materials, interaction between student and faculty and among students), Evaluation and Assessment (assess student success, educational effectiveness, integrity), Library and Learning Resources (access to library resources and technology support), and Student Services (financial aid, academic advising, placement and counseling, student grievances, informational materials, student admission standards). The oversight of systems that support distributed learning programs resides with the Director of the Center for Distributed Learning.

Appendix A.Principles of Good Practice

return to Distributed Learning.