PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Launched in January 2021, the eLearning Transformational Model program was developed to support the university’s transformation into a dynamic, digitally-enhanced, and responsive university with the ability to develop high-demand academic programs from inception to credential award via a clear and streamlined process. Within months of launching the program, to address the full set of objectives, the program expanded  to include two phases—one focused on empowering faculty from proposal through launch of online programs; the second focused on reaching and supporting the learner through recruitment and onboarding.

A team of more than 100 faculty and staff contributed to the eLearning program and at its conclusion in December 2022, the eLearning TM program included 14 projects. The projects and initiatives of the eLearning TM program were led by faculty and staff across UTA and, together, their work formed the foundation of digital transformation at UTA. eLearning TM was recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the 2022 STAR Award for making significant contribution to the State of Texas’s higher education strategic plan Building a Talent Strong Texas.

Launched in January 2021, the eLearning Transformational Model program was developed to support the university’s transformation into a dynamic, digitally-enhanced, and responsive university with the ability to develop high-demand academic programs from inception to credential award via a clear and streamlined process by tracking from proposal through launch to credential award academic certificate programs and degrees.

Within months of launching the program, to address the full set of objectives, the program expanded to include two phases—one focused on empowering faculty from proposal through the launch of online programs; the second focused on reaching and supporting the learner through recruitment and onboarding. A team of more than 100 faculty and staff contributed to the eLearning program and at its conclusion in December 2022, the eLearning TM program included 14 projects (described throughout this report). Final reports for the projects are attached as an appendix, and two of the certificates are combined to one final report, as they are similar projects with the same project manager and serve different student populations.

Faculty leaders launched six online academic certificates across five colleges as initial proof of concept programs to help develop and provide essential feedback on the new support services, policies and process—ushering them from proposal to conferral, including a new certificate type at UTA: stand-alone, pre-baccalaureate certificate for non-degree seeking students. A new process for academic program proposals was adopted to help clarify and expedite the proposal process. The Center for Distance Education (CDE) and Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE) worked alongside faculty to infuse innovation into online courses and programs and developed a new curriculum for faculty teaching in online programs. In collaboration with CDE, CRTLE and the Provost’s Office, the College of Business began a peer-review system to safeguard quality of online courses. CDE and CRTLE further collaborated to design and open a new Digital Course Production Studio. Student Affairs developed and implemented Mavs Online Orientation: a fully online orientation experience for students in a select portfolio of online programs. Faculty in the College of Education collaborated with staff in the Division of Student Success to develop and integrate into the orientation a new Online Readiness Student Success Assessment and Canvas resource course for online learning to support online students in their academic journey. A team of college marketers came together to select a partner to support marketing and recruitment for a select portfolio of online programs.

eLearning TM was recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board with the 2022 STAR Award for significant contribution to the State of Texas’s higher education strategic plan Building a Talent Strong Texas. The projects and initiatives of the eLearning TM program were led by faculty and staff across UTA and, together, their work formed the foundation of digital transformation at UTA. View the program’s video and informational poster presented at the Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference in 2022.

To sustain and scale the initiatives that have begun under this program, the eLearning business owner and executive sponsor prepared recommendations to complement the project-level recommendations. Key performance indicators at the program and project levels will also need to be agreed upon and a set of metrics set to inform data collection to track ongoing performance.

Contact: eLearningTM@uta.edu