Comprehensive Faculty Professional Development to Improve Online/ Hybrid Instruction in a Hispanic Serving Institution
General description of the project
This presentation will outline Albizu University – Miami Campus (AU-Miami) coordinated professional development series aimed at faculty with time restrain. AU-Miami faculty development efforts centered on providing best practices for delivering high-quality online instruction to graduate students. A Faculty Instructional Practices Knowledge Survey conducted in 2020 identified that Albizu University – Miami Campus graduate faculty expressed a need for training on using technology to accommodate diverse learning styles, ADA compliance, and accessibility, and implementing course tools to engage with adult learners.
Data from the survey informed the development of professional development products and activities, including a series of infographics and video modules. This presentation will specifically focus on developing and implementing the video modules as a professional development component.
Technologies
A series of thirteen video modules were developed and deployed using the institution’s learning management system (Blackboard) to provide the faculty with helpful information and tools to assist them in the delivery of high-quality online instruction to graduate students. The modules were designed in collaboration with grant personnel and institutional Blackboard administrator. The framework adopted to organize the modules was based on research conducted on virtual training for easy navigation and learning of the material. The framework consisted of simple visual icons to represent each component of the module: module learning objectives, pre-test, video lecture, PowerPoint slides, documents/materials, post-test, and certificate of completion.
Explain project results
AU-Miami is a four-year, private institution rooted in providing post-baccalaureate education opportunities to Hispanic Americans. Albizu University provides access to faculty who are subject matter experts and leaders within their fields. Ninety-five (95%) percent of AU faculty hold a Ph.D. or equivalent and possess decades of research and professional practice experience, and 78% percent of students report being Hispanic.
Albizu University (AU) provides a safe and open environment for all its students. Our goal is to educate professionals who will have a positive impact on their communities. The need to expand the institution’s online graduate offerings became a priority due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As AU-Miami’s courses transitioned from face-to-face instruction to online delivery, the need for delivering high-quality online education to students increased. As a result of the success of the video modules and infographics, the university’s Human Resources department adopted the project as part of the faculty’s professional development offerings. So far, forty-three faculty that have participated in AU-Miami coordinated professional development series and received their certificates of completion.
Why it should be considered best practice?
This project offers consistent, time flexible, and structured video modules centered on delivering high-quality online instruction. Via AU-Miami’s video series, the faculty receive meaningful and timely professional development to create and deliver high-quality online curricula. These videos focus on assisting faculty in developing a culture of continuous improvement to address the diverse needs of the online adult learner.
Highlights of your proposed presentation
Faculty Professional Development with Time Flexibility
Module Framework
Short, Comprehensive Videos
Certificate of Completion
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate submitted proposals based on the following criteria. Each area will be rated on a scale from 1 to 7 (1= non-satisfactory; 7 =outstanding), for a maximum of 63 points.