Presenter: Joseph McClary ARELLO Distance Education Manager Distance Education and ARELLO Certification Presented for the Connecticut Real Estate Instructors seminar

2 P resentation Objectives Provide an overview of the ARELLO Distance Education Certification Program Explain how to get a course ARELLO Certified

3 Contact Us

4 Distance education – Distance education – where instruction occurs in a setting where the student and instructor are separated by distance.

5 Correspondence (Paper and Pencil) Computer Based Training (CBT) Internet Audio Tape Video Tape Satellite Interactive Classroom – Audio/Video Conferencing Combinations of any of the above Delivery Methods

6 Distance Education Vs. Traditional Classroom Is distance learning a credible way to educate?

7 Major Issues Regarding Distance Education How will a student get a question answered? How will an instructor interact with the student or vice versa? – One of most popular myths in distance education today is that INSTRUCTORS ARENT NEEDED.

8 Major Issues Regarding Distance Education Continued… How will a course orientation be administered? How will assessment and evaluation be done?

9 Specific Issues For Regulators How do I know a 3-clock hour course takes 3 clock hours to complete? How is student identity verified? How does a regulatory agency monitor all of this? Can courses be effectively taught at a distance? – Research indicates– Yes! If the course is taught correctly and takes into consideration proper instructional and technical design.

10 Specific issues for providers How can a provider design a course when states require different design criteria? How can a provider compete with other providers offering inferior courseware at very low prices?

11 Brief History of the Program ARELLO voted to develop Distance Education Standards Consultant and Task Force Standards adopted Certification program adopted Began certifying courses Created based upon the latest educational research in distance education. Founded to improve the quality of distance education.

12 Program To Date Over 470 courses certified courses 20 jurisdictions require certification prior to approval. 22 jurisdictions endorse the standards and give some tangible benefit to providers for having certified courses. Standards are recognized in the appraisal industry.

13 Jurisdictions where ARELLO certification is required and/or endorsed.

14 Who are the providers? Primary Providers (Course Developers) Secondary Providers

15 Develop the course Verify the clock hours Update content Provide technical support May or may not: – Sell to secondary providers – Have approved instructors – Administer the course Primary Providers

16 Obtain the course from a primary provider Is NOT a course developer Have approved instructors Are responsible for course administration Secondary Providers

17 Why Must Secondary Providers Certify? They play a significant roll in how the course is delivered by: – providing opportunities for interaction – monitoring student progress – answering content questions – evaluating performance – providing feedback – reporting course credit to regulatory agency

18 SUMMARY OF THE DISTANCE EDUCATION STANDARDS

Mission Statement The road map for the provider.

Course Design Remediation Mastery based

21 Unit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4 Final Exam Unit 1 Final Exam Course Design Example 1

22 Unit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4 Final Exam Unit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4 Final Exam Assess and Remediate Course Design Example 2

Course Design Qualified course developers Content timely and accurate Assessments properly designed Courses take the appropriate amount of time to complete.

Interactivity Student-ContentStudent-Content Student-InstructorStudent-Instructor Student-StudentStudent-Student

Course Delivery Instructors are numerically sufficient. Instructors are numerically sufficient. Technologies are supported by qualified individuals. Technologies are supported by qualified individuals.

Equipment and Learning Environment Appropriate equipment and environment is used.Appropriate equipment and environment is used.

Student Support Services Course Syllabus Course Syllabus Orientation Orientation

Evaluation & Assessment Evaluation Measure of educational effectiveness Measure of educational effectiveness Student identity Student identity

Commitment Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing support of the course. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing support of the course.

30 Benefits of ARELLO Certification Course Providers – Keeps standards high – levels the playing field – Courses are acceptable in multiple jurisdictions – Satisfies regulator concerns – Gives courses national recognition and marketing exposure on ARELLO.NET – Eliminates costly mistakes – Courses reviewed by qualified experts.

31 Benefits of ARELLO Certification For Regulators – Saves time and resources in the review process. – Insures programs are educationally sound in design and delivery. – Verifies claims of providers – Courses are reviewed by qualified experts – ARELLO holds providers accountable for administering courses as certified. ARELLO does investigate reports of non-compliance and works closely with the regulatory agency. – Regulators obtain these benefits at no direct cost to the regulatory agency.

How To Certify How To Certify Taking the necessary steps to gain ARELLO certification for your course.

33 The Process of Certification Complete the appropriate application. (Can be found at Send in: – Appropriate fees – One electronic copy of application and courseware – Or, submit application and courseware in triplicate if sending hardcopy.

34 Fees (Certification is good for 3 years.) Fees - Primary Providers – For the first course - $750 – For every other course of the same delivery method - $400 Fees - for Secondary Providers – For the first course - $275 – For every other course of the same delivery method - $225

35 Fees for Recertification Fees - Primary Providers – $270 per course Fees - for Secondary Providers – $195 per course

36 For Students – Consistently high quality programs. – Knowing there will be adequate instructor and technical support. – Knowing the course can be adequately navigated and functions properly. – Courses are acceptable in multiple jurisdictions. Benefits of ARELLO Certification

37 The Certification Process… Confirmation within a week. Course is sent to review team. Within 30 days, provider will get detailed review from lead reviewer.

38 Certification Process continued... Once provider receives detailed review, must respond within 45 days. If necessary, provider must send additional information or documentation. ARELLO will continue to work with providers until process is complete.

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