In reviewing regulations related to course types used for distance learning, POST staff discovered that the language of these regulations is outdated. Among these is Commission Regulation 1052(e) - Webinars, and Commission Regulation 1053 - Requirements for Self-Paced Training Course Certification.
A review of Commission Regulations 1052(e) and 1053, respectively, found that some terms and requirements for course certification related to distance learning are outdated and reference terms, phrases, or practices that are no longer considered relevant or current by industry standards. With the contemporary emphasis on distance learning, it is important that POST keeps abreast of current industry standards and facilitates the understanding of these standards among its participating law enforcement agencies and training partners.
POST staff has reviewed terms and best practices in distance learning that reflect current industry standards and conferred with subject matter experts within and outside of POST. Staff identified several aspects of the identified regulations that need updating and propose amendments to key terms, phrases and practices to reflect industry standards in a way that would be most applicable to the needs of providing law enforcement training in all appropriate distance learning platforms. These include updates to address instructor-led online (ILO) courses, blended learning courses, self-paced courses (including the Form 2-124 Self-Paced Training Course Certification Request), and hybrid courses.
POST staff propose to remove Commission Regulation 1052(e) - Webinars from said regulation and add this content to Commission Regulation 1053, with previously mentioned industry standard updates and additional language to address blended learning and POST Quality Assurance Program (QAP) Review. Additionally, POST staff propose to rename Commission Regulation 1053 as "Requirements for Distance Learning Course Certification."
Combining Commission Regulation 1052(e) with 1053 and renaming it will allow for all regulatory guidelines related to distance learning to be listed under one regulation and streamline the process for this type of course development and certification review for law enforcement training presenters and POST staff.
Adding a section to address blended learning will allow presenters with additional flexibility to provide training in a hybrid format that incorporates synchronous and asynchronous learning strategies.
Adding a section advising of the QAP review process ensures that ILO courses are subject to the same review process as in-person instructor-led courses.
Additionally, a review of Commission Regulation 1001, found that some terms related to distance learning are outdated and reference terms or phrases that are no longer considered relevant or current by industry standards. Many definitions that reflect current industry standards or best practices in distance education are not currently included in Commission Regulation 1001. With the newfound emphasis on distance learning, it is important that POST keep abreast of current industry standards and facilitate the understanding of these standards among its law enforcement agencies and training partners.
POST staff have reviewed common terms in distance learning that reflect current industry standards and conferred with subject matter experts within and outside of POST. Staff identified several terms that would be most applicable to the needs of providing law enforcement training in an online or distance learning platform.
POST staff propose to amend Commission Regulation 1001 to include important distance learning terms in the list of definitions provided by the regulation. POST staff also propose the addition of numbering to each term defined in Commission Regulation 1001 to make it easier to identify each term when making references in discussion, other regulations besides 1001, bulletins, and other written communications from POST to the regulated public. |