Support, tutoring and marketing

Administration and support

Management and administration are two of the vital elements in any e-learning programme. Before a programme is launched, systems must be put in place to promote, enrol and support the applicants. Systems for payment, monitoring and tracking must be developed. Technical support to the system, materials and learners must be set up and tested well before the programme is launched.

A well-developed LCMS contains all the essential systems to enable an organization to quickly get up and running. The important factor is to anticipate and plan for all eventualities and have the people trained and ready to handle the programme.

Tutorial support

Student support is vital to the success of e-learning, and the tutor plays the major role in providing a quality learning experience for the student. Tutors need to be trained in the skills of handling online learners, dealing with their problems and facilitating their learning. Online tutoring is a skill to be developed, and not all lecturers are suitable or trained to do it. There is a need to select the best tutors, and train those who have the academic skills but lack the tutoring or technical skills needed for the job. Motivating and encouraging learners is critical to the success of online learning, and the best tutors are those who do this well.

Assessment

Assessment is a vital area that needs to be carefully considered to ensure quality control and credibility for the awards offered. We need to ensure that we offer a rigorous assessment process that satisfies all stakeholders, and that adds value to our awards. The principles of quality online assessment differ very little from more traditional assessment. Validity, reliability, flexibility and fairness are still paramount in the online environment. The difference for online assessment is in the use of information and communication technologies. Instructors need to ensure that technology enhances rather than impedes quality in assessment practice.

Assessment activities need to be clearly linked to educational objectives to underpin the more effective use of online assessment methods. The instructional design stage should identify early in the design process what is going to be assessed and how learning and assessment will be integrated. This will then allow tools or technology to be selected based on an informed educational decision rather than on an attraction to the particular ease of an assessment method or tool.

Assessment is more than assigning students grades. Assessment can be used to provide data for improving teaching methods and for guiding and motivating students to be actively involved in their own learning. Assessment provides feedback to both Instructors and students about the extent to which the learning goals are being met.

Assessment should be both formative and summative in order to motivate and provide feedback to the learner on their progress. A range of assessment methods could be used depending on the subject and level. Pre and post multiple-choice tests are helpful in demonstrating progress. Self-tests and activities with feedback also reinforce the learning achievements and students’ understanding. Case study exercises, problem solving, workplace activities and other practical assignments can be used to assess students’ application of the learning. Other methods might include a portfolio of development activities, a learning journal and an online examination in real time.

Marketing and launch

It is essential that our online programmes be launched professionally and with all the facets in place so as to ensure the credibility and reputation of SHTM online studies. Therefore, time is needed to develop, market test and get feedback from the industry to ensure we are confident the units, modules or full programmes are to the highest quality.