Digital Courseware

Courseware in Context Framework Gets Update, OLC Takes Over Project

• By Rhea Kelly
• 09/20/18

The Courseware in Context (CWiC) Framework is getting a number of updates for 2018. The free suite of resources, originally launched in 2016 by the Online Learning Consortium and Tyton Partners (with contributions from SRI International), offers information and guidelines for selecting and implementing digital courseware products.

"The CWiC Framework is a robust tool to help institutions evaluate courseware offerings and ensure they are implemented in an effective manner," explained Jennifer Mathes, chief strategy officer at the Online Learning Consortium, in a statement. "The 2018 version of the Framework makes important improvements based on the feedback gathered by the CWiC Executive Committee from institutions and vendors over the last year."

New features include:

• Updates to the product taxonomy, including information on accessibility standards;
• Case studies on CWiC Framework pilots at Southern New Hampshire University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte;
• Expanded functionality on LearnPlatform to support vendor self-reported data;
• Revised course- and program-level quality indicators for assessing effective courseware implementation; and
• A new Guide to Courseware Adoption and CWiC Guide to Total Cost of Ownership.

With the new updates, responsibility for management of the CWiC Framework project is transitioning from Tyton Partners to the Online Learning Consortium. In addition, the CWiC Framework has announced its Executive Committee for the 2018-2019 term, made up of courseware and digital learning experts from higher education institutions across the country who will govern the framework's content and resources. This year's committee members are:

• Kelvin Bentley, assistant VP for digital learning innovation at the University of West Florida;
• Niki Bray, instructional designer at the University of Memphis;
• Terry Di Paolo, executive dean of online instructional services for Dallas County Community College District;
• Bonnie Grohe, director of faculty development and online education at Fayetteville State University;
• Angela Gunder, director of instructional design and curriculum development at The University of Arizona;
• Romy Hughes, assistant provost, Koehler Center for Innovation, Instruction and Engagement, Texas Christian University;
• Mark McBride, library senior strategist, State University of New York system;
• Joseph Moreau, vice chancellor of technology for Foothill de Anza Community College District;
• Tracey Osborne, associate vice president of academic resources at Southern New Hampshire University; and
• Ruth Tarantine, university dean of nursing, Colorado Technical University.

For more information, visit the CWiC Framework site.