S97-6 TECHNOLOGY MEDIATED INSTRUCTION; DISTANCE LEARNING

Legislative History:

At its meeting of April 7, 1997, the Academic Senate approved the following Policy Recommendation presented by Don Keesey for the Curriculum and Research Committee.

ACTION BY THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT:

"Approved as University Policy." Signed Robert Caret, 5-7-97.

POLICY RECOMMENDATION

TECHNOLOGY MEDIATED INSTRUCTION

Whereas: Development of effective technology mediated instruction requires university commitment and appropriate governing policies, and

Whereas: The Academic Senate CSU has provided a useful Statement of Principles regarding technology mediated instruction in the CSU

(AS-2321-96), and

Whereas: The Academic Senate CSU has urged each campus to develop policies regarding technology mediated instruction consistent with these principles, now therefore be it

Resolved: That the Senate adopt the attached Policy for Technology Mediated Instruction at San Jose State University.

Policy for Technology Mediated Instruction

at San Jose State University

1. Definition

Technology Mediated Instruction (TMI) is defined by the Academic Senate of the California State University as "all forms of instruction that are enhanced by or utilize electronic and/or computer-based technology. It specifically includes distance education, instructional modules delivered via mass media, and computer assisted instruction" (AS-2321-96). This definition has been adopted for the following Policy for Technology Mediated Instruction at San Jose State University which responds to, is consistent with, and largely incorporates

AS-2321-96.

2. Instructional Methods and Academic Responsibility

Faculty have final responsibility for determining the pedagogies and instructional methods most appropriate for the instructional modules, courses, and/or academic programs which the University offers. Among the factors to be considered in determining the suitability of a particular course for TMI are the following: (a) Does the use of TMI improve the quality of the course? (b) Does sufficient student demand exist? (c) Are the necessary instructional and student support resources available to facilitate the use of TMI (for example, access to advising and information sources)?

3. Quality

The quality of instructional modules, courses, and academic programs delivered by or using TMI must be at least equivalent to the quality of curricular offerings currently approved at San Jose State University. The purposes of TMI are to increase the quality of instruction and to increase the access of students to faculty, to educational resources, and to each other (for example, there may be only one expert on a particular subject in the system, and technology can make her available to all CSU students). If TMI results in increased class sizes or student-faculty ratios beyond traditional classroom and curricular standards, additional resources or workload adjustments necessary to maintain the quality of instruction must be provided.

Criteria for assessing technology mediated instruction shall be developed by appropriate committees of the Academic Senate and of the academic units from which the instruction originates. TMI courses and sections shall be held to the same standards as traditional classroom instruction when reviewed by department, college, and university curriculum committees.

4. Resources in Support of Technology Mediated Instruction

Forms of technology mediated instruction frequently rely on computer, telecommunications, and network systems not often employed in current course delivery at San Jose State University. Therefore, development of an appropriate infrastructure to support TMI is a basic university responsibility. Needs for enhancement in areas such as access to library resources, information technology, instructional design and technical support, faculty development in the use of TMI, computer and network support, and student services should be identified at the department, college, and university levels. Cross-unit and cross-institutional sharing of learning and resources should be encouraged.

5. Impact on Faculty Personnel Decisions

Faculty personnel decisions (hiring, retention, tenure, promotion, and post-tenure review) must value and reward course and curriculum development and professional development activities that result in improved instruction. Although this policy centers on TMI, it is noted that this is but one of multiple teaching options available to faculty at San Jose State University. No ranking of instructional methodologies is to be used as basis for personnel decisions.

6. Coordination of this Policy with Other SJSU and CSU Policies

Other matters related to TMI (e.g., assessment of curriculum quality, ownership of intellectual property, determination of the fair use of copyrighted material, and long-range academic planning and capital budgeting) are governed by university policies under the appropriate labels and by campus and CSU guidelines.