The Academic Technology Committee (ATC) at Florida SouthWestern State College operates within a framework of shared governance, collaborating with faculty, administration, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies that govern online instruction, course development, and quality assurance in our digital learning environments. This page provides access to the key documents that govern our work, guide our practices in online education, and inform our decision-making processes.
Collective Negotiations Agreement (CNA)
The Collective Negotiations Agreement (CNA) outlines faculty rights and responsibilities, including those related to online teaching and course development. Relevant sections include:
Article 8 - Faculty Working Conditions
Section 8.1.1: Online Course Development
- Outlines the process for selecting faculty for departmental course development
- Defines responsibilities of faculty developers for departmental and individual courses
- Establishes the review cycle for online courses
Appendix B - Wage and Salary Schedule
Section I: Online Course Development Payment
- Specifies compensation for Quality Matters (QM) Peer Review of FSW courses
- Outlines stipends for developing and certifying departmental courses
- Details additional compensation for Quality Matters certification of courses
College Operating Procedures (COPs)
The following COPs, developed with input from the ATC, provide detailed guidance on various aspects of online education at FSW:
- COP 03-0801: Online Teaching Certifications outlines the requirements and process for faculty to become certified for teaching in all modalities that have an online component.
- COP 03-0802: Course Development and Redesign for Online Content details the procedures for developing new online courses and redesigning existing ones.
- COP 03-0805: General Course Operating Procedures for Online Instruction establishes standard protocols and best practices for the effective delivery of online courses.
FSW Online Course Quality Assurance Plan
The FSW Online Course Quality Assurance Plan (OCQAP) outlines our commitment to excellence in online education. Key features include:
- Adoption of Quality Matters (QM) Higher Education Rubric standards
- Systematic internal review processes for new and existing online courses
- Faculty support for online course development and improvement
- Continuous evaluation and enhancement of online course quality
This plan ensures that FSW's online courses meet high standards of design and effectiveness, supporting student success in the digital learning environment.
Online Teaching Handbook
The Online Teaching Handbook serves as an authoritative resource designed to support faculty in delivering exceptional online instruction. It addresses a wide spectrum of topics including:
- Evidence-based practices in online pedagogy
- Strategies for fostering student engagement in virtual environments
- Effective implementation of educational technology tools
- Protocols for creating accessible online content
- Methodologies for managing online discussions and facilitating group work
- Strategies for conducting online assessments and providing constructive feedback
- Guidelines for implementing Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in online courses, ensuring meaningful faculty-student engagement and compliance with federal regulations
Guiding Excellence in Distance Learning: FSW Online Teaching Handbook