“NOVA Online Up Close” to Celebrate NOL 50th Anniversary!

This January, NOVA Online celebrates its 50th anniversary as a pioneer in distance education! Since 1975, what began as a small extension of campus-based learning has grown into a nationally recognized online program that supports the evolving needs of students and faculty. Today, NOVA Online is an integral part of the Virginia Community College System, serving thousands of students each semester and setting a benchmark for distance education across the country.

In honor of NOVA Online’s milestone anniversary, we are excited to introduce “NOVA Online Up Close,” a new informational series launching in The Daily Flyer. This series will provide NOVA faculty and staff with a deeper understanding of the policies, procedures and standards that guide NOVA Online’s programs, shaped by federal regulations, state policies and accreditation requirements.

Each installment of “NOVA Online Up Close” will explore a different facet of distance education, such as:

• Federal and State Regulations: A closer look at Department of Education guidelines and state policies that define and shape online education at NOVA.
• SACSCOC Standards for Distance Learning: Insights into how NOVA Online maintains compliance with accreditation standards that prioritize quality, integrity, and a student-centered approach.
• NOVA Online Student Demographics: Learn about the unique demographics of NOL learners, from traditional-age students to adult learners and career-switchers
• NOVA Online Policies and Procedures: A review of NOVA Online’s approach to course design, faculty training, student support, and educational technology.
• Universal Design and Accessibility Standards: Best practices NOVA Online employs create inclusive, accessible learning experiences for all students.

• NOVA Online Faculty Certification: Explore importance of certification for NOVA Online faculty and outline the steps to become a member of the NOVA Online teaching team.
• Designing Online Courses Through a Tiered Template Model: What is the history of NOVA Online’s use of a standardized template model for course design?
• Engaging in the Flex–Plate Template Process: Learn how your Discipline Group can use NOVA Online’s Flex-Plate model to provide experienced faculty with more choice.
• Realizing Alternative Design Processes for Experienced NOVA Online Faculty: Learn how you can join NOVA Online by realizing the goals from NOVA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Asynchronous Learning Design’s recommendations for innovation.

If you have additional suggestions for topics to cover in this series, please contact me at CPascal@nvcc.edu.

Submitted by:
Dr. Cynthia Pascal, AVP of NOL, CPascal@nvcc.edu