A Report to the Council on Aviation Accreditation Board of Directors
from the Ad hoc Committee for Distance Education

Members
Brent Bowen, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Chair
David A. Mitchell III, FlightSafetyBoeing
Charles Robertson, University of North Dakota
David NewMyer, Southern Illinois University
David Dittmar, FlightSafetyBoeing

Presented at the CAA Annual Meeting
February 23, 2001
Daytona Beach, FL

The Committee has continued to explore accrediting issues related to distance education on behalf of the charge given by the CAA Board of Directors. Since the last committee report to the CAA Board, the committee web site was updated to include the previous report. The committee continues to explore issues which should be brought to the attention of the standards committee.
The paper titled Accreditation of Collegiate Aviation=s Distance Education Programs was completed. (Executive Summary attached). This survey of the CAA and UAA membership had a return rate of 47%. The final paper is posted on the Committee web site. E-mail notification will be sent to the CAA membership at the conclusion of the Winter Meeting providing an opportunity to review the completed paper. A new study to investigate outcomes assessment and quality assurance in distance education is being conceptualized. (Proposed abstract appended).

Committee Activities Since the July 2000 CAA Meeting:

• Received Mr. David Mitchell III of FlightSafetyBoeing as a committee member.
• Accepted final comments on the issues white paper and survey from the CAA Board.
• Administered the distance education survey to a return rate of 45%. Paper is final.
• The committee developed an agenda for the winter meetings; anticipates annual session.
• Two calls for directions from the committee membership were issued.

Continuing activities of the committee include:

• Continual updates of a white paper on CAA issues/implications of distance education with updated information from key accrediting organizations.
• Continue inquiries as directed by the CAA Board of Directors.
• Dialogue with CAA Standards Committee on distance education implications.
• Advise the CAA Board on distance education issues (previous reports on the web).
• Frequently update the committee web page content.
• Regularly update web links to key accrediting organizations and related sites.

Board Issues/Actions:

1. The Ad hoc Committee requests that the Board periodically encourage the standing committee chairs and visiting team chairs to provide notice of distance/technology education issues as they arise.
2. Notice should be given to the transition of formerly considered distance education to technology-based educational delivery to traditional students. Consequently, standards developed for traditional classroom delivery may need modification in the forthcoming years. The board should consider broadening the scope of the ad hoc Committee on Distance Education to include these emerging trends.

Visit the updated committee web site at: http://cid.unomaha.edu/~unoai/caa/caaadhoc.html

Attachments: (provided at the CAA Board Meeting)

1. Executive summary of the CAA study on accreditation issues.
2. Agenda for the February 2001 ad hoc committee meeting.
3. Proposed abstract for a study on outcomes assessment and quality assurance in distance education.

Committee Contact:
Dr. Brent Bowen, Chair
422 Allwine Hall, UNO
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0508
Voice 402.554.3424
Fax 402.554.3781
E-mail: bowen@unomaha.edu

CAA Ad hoc Committee for Distance Education

Members
Brent Bowen, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Chair
David A. Mitchell III, FlightSafetyBoeing
Charles Robertson, University of North Dakota
David NewMyer, Southern Illinois University
David Dittmar, FlightSafetyBoeing

February 23, 2001
Daytona Beach, FL

I. Introduction of committee members and guests
II. Review White Paper Executive Summary
III. Briefing given by the Executive Director on CHEA distance education issues
IV. Open Forum with CAA members on distance/technology education issues

A. Acheson comments on assessment and quality
B. NewMeyer suggestions for further investigation
C. Other guests

V. Colloquium concept for future CAA meetings, initiate on the topics of distance and technology education
VI. Review and update report to the CAA Board of Directors
VII. Discuss new study proposal
VIII. Consider future directions
IX. Other business
X. Adjourn

Visit the committee web site at: http://cid.unomaha.edu/~unoai/caa/caaadhoc.html

Proposed abstract

for a

CAA Study

on

"Outcomes Assessment and Quality Assurance in Distance Education"

This study assesses the role of the evaluation process in sustaining and developing quality distance education programs in collegiate aviation education. The research explores the sanctioned position of evaluation procedures and their practical application in the actual process of assessment within collegiate aviation distance education programs as compared to traditional delivery methods. Additionally, the criteria for determining quality are investigated. The methodological approach includes literature review, content analysis, and a survey instrument implemented by structured phone interviews. The data gathered will be based on a review of regionally accredited graduate and undergraduate collegiate aviation distance programs. The findings will indicate whether or not a high-level academic product is delivered via distance/ technology education. An identification of consistent terminology for classifying and measuring distance education, and more specifically the meaning of quality, will be sought.