Hi everyone! Thank you for today’s opportunity to share the preliminary work of the Penn State Online Steering Committee regarding the creation of a vision statement for online learning. As discussed, Bill Easterling (Dean of the College of EMS) and I were asked to facilitate the formulation of this vision for the Committee…to present a “straw horse” if you will. I am thrilled that you all are interested in helping us out! Remember…this vision statement should encompass ALL e-Learning at Penn State – World Campus, e-Learning Cooperative, and residential “Web” offerings. And it should do it all in just a few sentences! (Think of JFK and his vision for putting a man on the moon.) Not an easy task, to be sure.

To get the ideas going, here are some of the key elements that we initially brainstormed…can we develop a vision statement that somehow encompasses all of these comprehensively? Give it your best shot!

e-Learning should be…

High Quality
• Utilize processes and tools that reinforce the development and delivery of high quality educational experiences

Rigorous
• Take full advantage of Penn State’s brand recognition and academic reputation to enable Penn State graduates to differentiate themselves in the marketplace

Innovative
• Apply pedagogy that is rooted in the latest research in learning theory
• Utilize technology that provides Penn State students with the flexibility they need to meet their learning goals

Flexible
• Provide a flexible learning environment, rooted in adult learning theory, that accommodates student needs and limitations
• Utilize technologies that enable anytime, anywhere education

Research-based
• Develop programs that build upon Penn State’s research expertise
• Incorporate student research experiences into course design

Cost Effective
• Balance high quality program delivery with accessible tuition rates to enable academic units to reinvest in innovation
• Create efficient administrative and instructional tools and processes to support the delivery of courses and programs at a distance

Global
• Reach beyond U.S. borders to be the world’s leading source of online education
• Increase Penn State’s international student population by bringing more of Penn State’s programs to students where they live and work