Distance Learning and Transparency By Design
NBC is honored to significantly up its participation level in Transparency by Design (TBD). Dr. David Phillips, Vice President of Online Academic Services and Institutional Technology, has been elected to the executive committee. NBC is now one of nine member institutions on the executive committee, and is the only faith-based institution. The goal of TBD is to help adult learners make an informed decision about online education, so they can determine how it will match their professional and personal ambitions.
TBD currently includes 16 member institutions, and is expected to at least double in size annually for at least the next 4 years. It's a unique organization championing key elements in today's competitive educational environment: thorough institutional disclosure and superior educational standards. As such, it is an invaluable vehicle to bring adult learners to the most suitable college or university. This is clearly a win-win for both schools and students.
To verify TBD remains exceptional, WCET verifies its standards. WCET (it's not an acronym any longer, it just looks like one) was founded by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE - yes, this one is an acronym). It's a cooperative to ensure educational excellence using technology. This expertise provides benefits for adult learners, as well as an added benefit: a framework for member accountability which can also facilitate accreditation.
The TBD initiative has yielded the College Choices for Adults website. This site provides easy-to-navigate choices geared specifically to adults seeking online education. Since NBC is the only member institution offering ministry and other theological degrees, and since membership in TBD guarantees educational excellence, this can provide NBC a source of outstanding applicants. Moreover, applicants from TBD are a perfect fit because NBC is already geared to adult learners, with a current average student age of 38.
TBD represents a big part of the future for adult higher education. As TBD grows, NBC will help shape the future of the college selection process for adult learners. It is an exciting time at NBC, and it's only going to get better.
Published: 01/22/2010
Archived Entries