Online Learning Model
AIU strives to provide students with the ability to adapt their skills and knowledge to meet the demands of a dynamic, team-based environment. The online learning model focuses heavily on concept formation and skill development through collaborative learning.
In order to meet the unique needs and modes of online learners, AIU Online utilizes a proprietary learning design known as the Integrated Learning Environment. The ILE represents the integration of:
• Technology and instructor-led instruction
• Anytime/anywhere learning and real-time interaction, support and feedback
• Self-directed and instructor-initiated instruction
• Competency-based vocational and academic skill development
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the course level, Development Faculty utilize the master course outcomes, developed through the residential University curriculum process, and format or differentiate them into specific classifications. The development process uses Bloom’s Taxonomy (Bloom, 1956) for classification of course objectives. They are:
• Knowledge – Define, identify, label, state, list, match
• Comprehension – Describe, generalize, paraphrase, summarize, estimate
• Application – Determine, chart, implement, prepare, solve, use, develop
• Analysis – Point out, differentiate, distinguish, discriminate, compare
• Synthesis – Create, design, plan, organize, generate, write
• Evaluation – Appraise, critique, judge, weigh, evaluate, select
COURSE DELIVERY STRUCTURE
AIU Online follows the 10-week quarter system. At the undergraduate level, each quarter consists of two sessions of five-weeks each, or a single session of 10-weeks. Students focus on one to two courses in each session that comprises a full-time course load for the duration of the 10-week quarter. At the graduate level, students will take two 10-week courses each quarter. This is based on the adult learning theory that supports the belief that adult learners are more successful in focusing on two courses at a time. In addition, this structure allows a student to remain as a full-time student in the pursuit of his or her degree, but able to better focus on half the course load at a single time. Each course includes five learning units that consist of two to three learning events in each unit. Based on the learning model explained below, each learning event produces a learning product that is evaluated on an outcomes mastery model for learning assessment. To achieve a successful online learning experience, students can expect to spend 10-12 hours per week for course preparation. AIU Online five-week courses are delivered in a format based on the general structure outlined below:
GRADED LEARNING EVENTS
Every course unit contains from one to three Learning Events (known traditionally as assignments). Instructions for each Learning Event are provided and each concludes with a deliverable product.
Deliverable products vary and may be in the form of a paper, a PowerPoint Presentation, programming code, an HTML Web page, a design, or any other authentic assessment measure that allows the student to demonstrate his/ her mastery of the course outcome related to that unit of instruction. These deliverables are evaluated qualitatively for outcomes mastery using the stated course evaluation methods. Students have regular access to the course grade book through the course platform. Grading is organized according to the unit structure. Learning events should be each student’s individual work unless designated as a group project. Students agree that by taking courses through AIU Online, all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers.
INTELLIPATH
Some AIU Online courses now include intellipath, an adaptive learning system that provides you with a customized learning map built around your own unique knowledge base. With intellipath, you can skip over course content you already know and focus on what you need to learn, making learning more efficient. The platform consistently assesses your progress and updates your learning path based on your needs. intellipath also keeps both you and your professor informed on your progress, allowing for targeted outreach and coaching when and how you need it.
GROUP PROJECTS
Courses may include a group project that facilitates collaborative learning and teamwork. Group projects also adhere to a performance-based, authentic assessment of the students’ mastery of course outcomes. Products of the collaborative group project are evaluated based on the instructor’s evaluation of the demonstrated competencies.
STUDENT SELF-ASSESSMENT
A Student Self-Assessment is included for every unit of instruction and is delivered within the course platform. Students can evaluate their understanding of each unit topic by answering true/false, multiple choice, or short answer questions. The Student Self-Assessment does not impact assignment or course grades, but is available to gauge a student’s own learning progress.
STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Each AIU Online Course contains access to the following supportive resources:
COURSE INFORMATION
The Course Information tab includes the course description, course objectives, course materials list, the grading scale, instructor contact information, and other pertinent course-level information.
PRESENTATION
Each unit includes a presentation of the unit concepts that supplements the material covered in the textbook chapters. The presentation format can vary from lecture notes to an interactive multimedia presentation.
REAL-TIME CHAT
Instructors deliver at least one hour of real-time chat scheduled at varied times in a seven-day calendar week to accommodate diverse schedules. Students are not required to attend the real-time chats. The real-time chats focus on a specific topic(s) for each unit of the session. Real-time chats are not included in the course grade, however, each individual chat is archived, and they serve as valuable resources for learning and real-time interaction (especially for auditory learners).
ASYNCHRONOUS DISCUSSION
Asynchronous discussions are tied to specific course Learning Events for each week of the five-week or ten-week session. Asynchronous chats are required and evaluated qualitatively by the Instructor.
UNITS
Every course is organized according to the five week, five unit format, i.e., Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, etc., or a ten week format in which each unit is two weeks in length (5 units total). Each week is identified by a specific Unit topic heading for each week of the session. For example, in a Sociology course it may appear as:
Unit 1: The Sociological Perspective
Unit 2: Society and Social Structure
Unit 3: Social Inequality
Unit 4: Social Institutions
Unit 5: Social Change
INTEGRATED CONTENT
Some online courses include integrated electronic content from a text companion Web site, CD ROM, e-Books or other delivery device. This content is fully integrated into the related unit of instruction or Learning Event with instructions for its use and purpose.
ANCILLARY CONTENT
Some online courses include ancillary electronic content found on a text companion Web site, CD ROM or other delivery device. When a student is referred to ancillary content, instructions on how and when to access the content is included in the unit and its use is identified.
ASSESSMENT
Every unit includes an Assessment of the course outcomes identified for that unit. Assessments are authentic and evaluated by standardized rubrics for each unit. Assessments can include papers, projects, code, designs, schematics, or any other authentic assessment measure that allows the student to demonstrate his/her mastery of the course outcome related to that unit of instruction. All grading is done qualitatively based on the Grading Scale Qualitative Definitions. Certain lower level courses may be evaluated based on traditional assessment methods such as tests and quizzes. Students have regular access to the course grade book through the course platform. Grading is organized according to the unit structure.
WEB RESOURCES
Every unit includes links to additional Web resources that serve as supplemental resources for the unit subject matter. These links are found within the particular unit for each week of the session and are not tied to a specific Presentation or Learning Event, but are identified as extra resources for the student’s own use.