As a result of a new joint venture between Information Technology and Academic Affairs, Stetson University is pleased to introduce the Office of Online Learning and Educational Technology (OOLET). The office supports the design, delivery and continuous improvement of high-quality online/hybrid courses, programs, pedagogies, instructional materials and initiatives. OOLET is tasked with the following priorities:
- Promote and provide a positive online environment where both faculty and students seamlessly collaborate
- Provide effective technical user support to faculty
- Promote best practice in educational technology through faculty professional development
- Ensure pedagogical soundness of instructional practice to ensure the highest quality virtual and hybrid learning experience by students
- Implement appropriate higher education requirements and standards to facilitate effective course design
- Ensure continuous quality improvement of online courses, programs and initiatives
- Serve as liaison between faculty and IT
- Maintain effective distance-learning infrastructure; and
- Implement new and emerging technologies to advance the university’s mission.
Leading OOLET’s charge is Lisa Sawtell, who recently joined Stetson University as director of Online Learning and Educational Technology in March 2016. Sawtell brings over 15 years of experience in online learning and educational technology to the Stetson community (More). The OOLET team comprises DeLand instructional designer Benjamin Brown, academic technology specialist Dawn McCain, and College of Law electronic education specialist Julie Kitzmiller.
OOLET consults daily with faculty to achieve key student learning outcomes using diverse learning technologies. The office also provides Blackboard technical troubleshooting, user support and training. Since March 2016, OOLET has launched Stetson’s online Faculty Resource Training Center, a dynamic Blackboard-based facility designed to provide faculty with up-to-date resources, instructions and information. The office has also offered a course development clinic for summer online faculty in May and participated in New Faculty Orientation in August. In addition, the OOLET is managing the latest Blackboard upgrades and implementing a university-wide video management platform.
OOLET staff members are available to meet individually, in groups or virtually. The DeLand office is located in the Lynn Business Center Room 032 during normal business hours. At Gulfport, the College of Law office is located at Department of Media Services in the Dolly & Homer Hand Law Library. Contact the Office of Online Learning and Educational Technology by email at [email protected] or call 386-822-7921.
http://www.stetson.edu/portal/announce/2016/09/06/stetson-introduces-the-office-of-online-learning-and-educational-technology/