Session Title: Beyond the Buzz: Recent Research on Hot Topics in Online Learning and Quality Assurance

 It sometimes feels as though we are awash in a sea of research on online learning. Of course, QM and those who are interested in quality assurance want to know not only the tools and techniques available for online education but their role in creating a quality online learning experience - and what the most recent research has indicated about this. Getting to the research findings that will help us make good, informed decisions about how to set up online courses and programs and assure their quality can be time-consuming, yet disregarding the research or relying on “pop ‘research’ ” can trip us up. This session will summarize recent research on some of the most relevant topics in online learning and quality assurance today, such as alternatives to "traditional" online education, like competency-based education (CBE); open educational resources (OER); and stakeholder attitudes (chief academic officers, chief online officers, faculty, instructional designers, students, etc.). Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in the discussion with questions and comments based on their own knowledge and experience after each topic is covered, as well as during time reserved at the end of the session.