Reflection on Project:
As this is my last course in the MET program (besides an original reseach project), I felt the best outcome in the form of a venture would be a consulting initiative to train faculty how to teach online. My research project looks at the level of incorporation of quality attributes into online learning spaces, with the hypothesis being instructors are not consistently incorporating evidence-based strategies in how (adult/higher eduation) students learn best in a distributed constructivst online environment. The majority of faculty are more comfortable translating their face-to-face class to a learning management system by posting powerpoints, textbook reading assignments, multiple choice quizzes and essay assignments - with minimal interactivity or experiential learning components. "That is how I learned and it worked for me, so why should I change?"
I have asked many people whom I know take courses online and most often they are not impressed, and expect more from their instructor. The learners are often more adept with technology than the instructor and see solutions the instructor has not considered. There are many providers of educational technology products (apps, software) but not enough mentoring ventures to move the current generation (the younger newer faculty as well as the more mature experienced university instructors) to confidently and competently deliver quality online learning spaces. Universities expect their faculty to know how to be teachers, but do not often provide them with sufficent training and development to reach the level necessary to be both adept and adaptive to the continuous changes in technology.
Additionally, I am convinced this type of venture needs a team of diverse talents to work effectively. My goal now is to connect with like-minded individuals who would consider moving this to the next level.