Distance, Distributed, and Blended/Hybrid Learning

Almost all the assessment tools, workbooks, free articles and consulting services of The TLT Group can be used to plan and support effective programs of distance and distributed (and blended) learning. Many of the resources linked to the following pages are free; some are restricted to our subscribing institutions or are available for sale separately. This page was developed for, and with the support of, TLT/Flashlight subscriber institutions. It's made available to the public as a free sample of subscriber resources. Join us!

• Vision and Strategy: Looking for ways to make distance or distributed learning of even higher quality than campus programs of the past? Want to develop a more accessible program that is also better than what the campus has traditionally been able to offer, even for resident students? Click here for a few articles.
  • Here is a simple worksheet listing just a few of the issues your team will want to consider in its planning.
• Assessment and evaluation are tools for improving learning.
  • Here are some examples from the Flashlight Program, showing how assessment can provide direct guidance for improving program outcomes.
  • For external evaluation, you might want to bring in an ITAS visiting team to help spotlight your program's strengths and needs, and to suggest directions for future plans.
• Planning and Budgeting: Need to provide effective advice to the Chief Academic Officer, Chief Information Officer, and other decision makers?
  • Read about Teaching Learning and Technology Roundtables as a way of building coalitions, surfacing conflicts, and spotting issues that no one unit has been able to deal with.
  • It's important for an institution to develop a balanced portfolio of strategies for improving distributed learning.
• Faculty Support:
  • Is your current training not enough to produce highly effective programs? Consider augmenting it by using the Web and "push strategies" to disseminate “low threshold applications and activities.” Use our library of ideas for teaching with technology, a library that's organized by the “seven principles of good practice.”
  • Need to improve support for faculty when professional staff are in short supply? Learn about how to expand and improve your program of student technology assistants.
• Course Management Systems: Trying to get more value from your Course Management System when used for distance, distributed, or blended learning? Look for ideas on our CMS resource page.
• Help: Want some help in program planning and involving more people? short-term or long-term enhancement for training faculty? external assessment and advice about your program?  keynotes or facilitation? help in evaluating or disseminating the results of a grant? Consider subscribing to the TLT Group Network to get planning materials, assessment tools, and help. Or, to arrange a chat about focused assistance (e.g., discussing your draft plans; briefing your senior administrators; a talk to involve more of your faculty), send e-mail to online@tltgroup.org