When the USF St. Petersburg campus transitioned to remote instruction in response to the coronavirus, one of the biggest challenges it faced was ensuring all classes could continue virtually. Over the course of just two weeks in the middle of the spring semester, online technology staff and faculty worked tirelessly to address and overcome that challenge.
The result was the university converting all spring semester on-campus courses – 488 in all – from in-person to virtual learning, allowing for a seamless transition in education for thousands of students.
“I applaud the work done by all who made our transition to virtual delivery of instruction happen,” said Martin Tadlock, regional chancellor of the USF St. Petersburg campus. “Our professional staff stepped up over spring break, working endless hours with our faculty who did the same. Their example illuminates how incredibly well we made this difficult and unexpected transition without a severe disruption of learning.”
Faculty working with the Online Learning and Instruction Technology Services (OLITS) team had to recreate their lectures and in-person content for an online format. They organized six weeks’ worth of content, mimicking the interaction they would normally have with students virtually and in such a way that students would follow along and engage with the material. Lectures were recorded, support materials uploaded and video resources and online assessments created.
“Really what made this transition happen was our faculty were well equipped to handle such a situation. A majority already taught both face-to-face and online courses, and those who didn’t became fast learners,” said David Brodosi, associate director of OLITS.
The university is well prepared for remote learning to continue during the summer semester, as two-thirds of summer courses are already in an online format.
Over the last ten years, the USF St. Petersburg campus has invested heavily into online learning and professional development to assist faculty and students. The investment has made the university an emerging leader in the field of online education, providing enhanced learning experiences for students off campus.
Currently, the institution ranks second among Florida universities and 13th in the nation in Quality Matters online certification. Quality Matters is a program based at the University of Maryland that uses a set of best practices to evaluate the design of online courses and recognizes those courses that meet the highest standards of learning.
To earn this national recognition, a team of three peer reviewers conduct an assessment of the course, evaluating learning objectives, instructional materials, learner engagement and several other general education standards. Nearly 70 online courses at USF St. Petersburg have received the highest possible national certification, while several others are in review.
“Earning Quality Matters certification is really important to our faculty and to students taking those courses, as it ensures they are receiving the highest quality online education experience they possible can,” said Brodosi.
More faculty who are teaching online are receiving training to maximize learning outcomes for their students through this medium. More than 130 faculty and staff at the university have completed online learning training, with some even credentialed to be a Quality Matters reviewer.
“Quality Matters, as well as our OLITS team, pave the way for both student and instructor success by providing a rigorous rubric to follow on setting up your course and assisting with best practices for online learning,” said Nicole Stowell, an instructor of business law who has been teaching online for 13 years and is one of three USF St. Petersburg campus faculty members with Quality Matters teaching certification.
Stowell said for faculty not used to online learning, engaging students in the material from a remote location can be the most challenging aspect.
“Find a way to engage with students, check in with them individually, and let them
know you are present and available and they are not just on their own,” she said.
“I find discussion boards where students can communicate back and forth with each
other and with me to be extremely beneficial.”
In the coming years, the university will invest even more in online learning to meet
the growing demand while ensuring adherence to new state-wide standards. The Florida
Board of Governors 2025 State University System Strategic Plan for Online Education
outlines two goals for universities to meet: that all online courses be certified
by 2025 and that faculty should be encouraged to receive training to teach online.
The USF St. Petersburg campus is well positioned to meet both goals, said Brodosi. Nearly half of online classes offered are already certified or in the review process. The remaining half was developed with certification in mind and should meet high-quality standards the Board of Governors and students expect.
“The increased emphasis on ensuring our online courses are certified and the faculty who teach them have these additional skills in this technological environment will make online learning even more appealing to future students,” said Brodosi.