UTech, Ja Annual Report 2017-18

University of Technology, Jamaica “Pioneering Past; Bright Future ” ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 14 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DIVISION Cont’d. Office of Distance Learning T he Of f i ce of D i s tance Learning facilitates the c reat i on of technology- mediated educational opportunities for increasing flexible access by d i ve r s e learners, to the high quality learning, teaching and research programmes and services offered by the University. Key Milestones • Practical reviews and self-assessment of the nine national quality standards for distance learning programme accreditation, within the broader context of the nine (9) quality standards for institutional accreditation, established by the University Council of Jamaica in 2014 and 2016 respectively • Updated documentation of quality manuals and toolkits to reflect the standardized operational procedures for effective planning, design and delivery of online-blended courses of study; • Implementation of business continuity measures including risk mitigation and disaster recovery strategies to address technological support challenges experienced during the period; • Development of draft policies and proposals for expanding online learner support services, and updating software applications, technology infrastructure and support systems. Academic Collaboration and Online Course Development • Two fully online versions of the general education modules – Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II were pilot tested by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences during Semester II of Academic Year 2017 - 2018. The pilots were conducted with twenty seven (27) students, drawn from the Papine Campus. • The inventory of fully online general education and service modules available for delivery has now increased to nine (9) modules, offered by three (3) Faculties/Colleges. These modules are: Academic Writing I, Academic Writing II, Biostatistics, Calculus for Social Sciences, College Math 1A, Environmental Studies, Information Technology, Introduction to Psychology, and Research Methodology. The overall aim of this online initiative is to provide flexible access to all general education and service modules, for students enrolled in fully online and face-to- face courses of study, throughout Jamaica and the rest of the world. • In August 2017, the fifth cohort of students commenced the College of Health Sciences’ Online Post Diploma in Pharmacy. Over seventy (70) students from ten countries have enrolled in this fully online programme, since its launch in 2013. • There continues to be slow but steady progress in the flexible use of UTechOnline for the delivery of course materials in diverse formats ranging from web-assisted to hybrid/blended and fully online options. Dr. Jeanette Bartley-Bryan Associate Vice President