Program Administration and Implementation of an Online Learning Initiative at a Historically Black College University

Setting The Stage

The impetus for online learning grew organically from a small number of professors who began experimentation in 2001. At the urging of faculty, the University purchased a license for Blackboard as a learning/course management system (L/CMS) in 2001. The L/CMS was hosted by Blackboard Hosting Services and administered by a faculty member in the Learning Resources Division (a unit of the library). The faculty who served as its first system administrator was supported by one technician, but neither had previous experience in systems administration or L/CMS tools.

In 2001, a small number of professors began holding meetings and workshops that focused around online teaching and learning. By 2005, the institution’s Provost charged a taskforce of faculty and deans to explore and devise a plan for online learning. The Dean of the library secured a Title III grant and established a competitive summer initiative to include stipends for faculty to explore innovative approaches to instruction and gain certification to teach online. From this summer initiative several courses were conceived and curricular development got underway. The Provost further directed a task-force to work collectively from 2005 to 2007 to devise a detailed strategic plan for online learning and a policy statement for intellectual property. The plan was compiled and presented to the administration. One of the key first steps in the strategic plan called for the establishment of a centralized office and the hiring of a director to facilitate and oversee online learning at the University.