The Distance Learning and Instructional Support Division has a new name. At the recent eLearning Event on February 13, 2015, the dean of the division, Dr. Nancy Thibeault, announced that the division will now be called the eLearning Division.
This is the division's 35th year. During those years, Distance Learning worked to provide high-quality, affordable education to learners from every walk of life in southwest Ohio and beyond. In 1979, Distance Learning began as TV Sinclair, a program offering two videotaped courses that enrolled about 50 students.
Today, Sinclair is one of the largest providers of online education in Ohio and is authorized to provide quality online learning opportunities in 48 U.S. states and Washington D.C. Sinclair now enrolls more than 6,000 students in 180 unique courses!
The Division is also home to Accelerate IT, the program funded by the $12M Department of Labor TAACCCT Grant. This program has introduced competency-based education to Sinclair and currently provides a new online option for some CIS programs. The goal of the grant is to offer programs which target the skills needed by our local workforce. The customized format gives qualified students the option of starting and completing online courses at almost any time during Sinclair's 16 week semesters.
Sinclair's online programs are supported by the three departments within the eLearning Division: Programs and Support provides student support in online courses and programs. Learning Technology Support offers faculty and staff support and training in learning technologies and in the Learning Management System (LMS). Web Course Development assists faculty with the creation and development of their courses in the LMS (soon to be eLearn powered by D2L).