Technology-Based Learning Strategies Report - APEC HRDWG Wiki

D. Applicationsexperience includes asynchronous activities, group study, and meetings with an academiccounselor.UOP also prides itself on being an “outcomes-driven institution.” To measure this, the universityrelies heavily on assessment. Students are tested in the application process, as well as before andafter major coursework. Additionally, to ensure standardization, the university engages in theannual assessment of curriculum. Courses are divided into modules that students are required tocomplete over a short period. Instructors deliver content through online media and are notencouraged to “lecture” to students. Instead, learning is realized through task completion andgroup study with classmates. To further ensure that instructors adhere to the UOP’s brand ofeducation, courses are developed on a master curriculum calendar. These practices enhance theconsistency of the courses offered but also raise questions as to the importance of academicfreedom as less of the course content is left to the discretion of instructors. 69Finally, student participation in class activities and group study is a priority. To foster this,online class sizes are deliberately kept small. Classes are generally made up of eight to thirteenstudents, which makes them about 20 to 25 percent smaller than the university’s traditionalclasses. This may also contribute to low class attrition rates. According to Jorge Klor de Alva,UOP’s president, 97 percent of students who start an online course complete it, and 65 percentgraduate.6869Myer, and Swenson, 2005.Kirp, 2003.31