P.B. McKimmy (USA)
Distance Education; Standards; Guidelines; Best Practices; Teacher Education
The College of Education at the University of Hawai`i-Manoa is undergoing a change in delivery of its courses and programs. As the primary preparer of teachers for the state of Hawai`i, the College shoulders the responsibility to offer teacher preparation programs throughout the state including those islands that are geographically separated from the Manoa campus. New delivery methodologies are being tested and implemented, especially the conversion of course materials to Internet based delivery. The change from traditional face-to-face instruction to online or hybrid (partially online, partially face-to-face) instruction involves a change of culture and expectations for both faculty and students. Following the completion of the first teacher preparation program offered simultaneously throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the author conducted an assessment of policies and practices. The American Federation of Teachers' Distance Education Guidelines for Good Practice were used as a criterion reference for assessment and analysis of the College's programs. Based on a review of these guidelines, current distance education programs appear to substantially conform to good practice expectations. The AFT Guidelines proved to be an effective criterion reference for self-review of distance education efforts. Issues identified for further review include establishment of formal policies affecting promotion and tenure criteria; electronic submission of personal statements with student applications; use of public testing locations and proctors; and the need for a formal policy guiding the intellectual property of faculty-developed online course materials.
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