SUNY Broome initially embraced the online learning environment in 1997 when the College was asked to participate in the SUNY Learning Network (Now Open SUNY). The Teaching Resource Center (TRC) provided support and training for online faculty and the TRC coordinator assumed the duties of Academic Coordinator for Distance Education. Between 1999 and 2015 the campus dramatically increased the number of courses and the number of sections taught online. In Fall 2015, there were 301 course sections offered in the fully online modality with enrollments of 4,247. In addition to the fully online courses, there were 60 sections offered in a blended format (with required online activities and reduced seat time in the classroom) and 404 face-to-face courses that used the Learning Management System to supplement their instruction. This growth necessitated a restructuring of the TRC to now include a Senior Instructional designer and three additional full-time Instructional Designers who support the 4 academic divisions.
The Distance Learning Steering Committee (DLSC) was created in the Fall of 2003 as a result of a campus investigation into the possibility of completing a Distance Learning Institutional Capability Review (ICR) by the New York State Education Department. The Distance Learning Steering Committee is comprised of the Senior Instructional Designer, an Academic Advisor, the Learning Management System Administrator, the Registrar, the Systems Librarian, a representative from Information Technology Services, a representative from the Accessibility Resources Office, and representative faculty from each division teaching online. The Committee’s charge is to review issues and recommend strategies relating to the planning, oversight, and academic leadership for distance learning. Its aim is to ensure that distance learning is integrated into the college’s strategic plan, technology plan, campus policies, and other planning initiatives. The committee has helped to set campus direction in the selection of Learning Management Systems, to direct the consolidation of multiple Learning Management Systems into one, and to establish more clearly defined leadership responsibilities for Distance Education initiatives.
Distance Learning at SUNY Broome continues to evolve now includes additional online modalities, included Blended and Remote Synchronous. For more specific information regarding the modalities of Online courses offered, please refer to the Modalities page on this site.