Many higher education institutions try to get on the online bandwagon, but not everyone succeeds. In this interactive presentation, discover how Madonna University engaged faculty, staff, and administrators in the development of a plan for improving online education. Participants will learn about the strategy Madonna utilized to maximize faculty involvement as well as some of the best practices in the delivery, academic administration, and marketing of online education.
Presentation Description and Goals
The presenters – Dr. Cam Cruickshank, Executive VP for Enrollment Management and University Advancement and Dr. Elena Qureshi, Instructional Designer at Madonna University will share the story of how Madonna University engaged the campus community in a six-month long discussion about online education. They will describe the utilization of an Online Education Task Force, Small Group and Open Campus meetings, the strategic selection of participants, as well as effective communication with decision makers. In addition, they will share the results of their study into the best practices in the delivery, academic administration, and marketing of online education. Several key areas critical for the successful launch of online programs will be discussed. They include: course quality, course development, governance and administration, online learning technology, program selection, student services, and financial sustainability.
This educational session is geared for anyone who wishes to explore ways in which to engage constituents in a healthy and productive discussion about growing online education at their institution, as well as some of the most important findings from the Madonna University investigation. The presentation will provide participants with some insights into organizing a strategy to engage faculty, staff, and administrators, and to help understand how each of the above mentioned critical areas contributes to the overall success of the launch or expansion of online programs. The presenters of this session will provide an overview of how the project came about, how the Task Force was organized, the timeline of the work completed, and the results of the planning process.
Brief Introduction
In October 2016, the Online Education Task Force was established to study the possibility of putting several Madonna University degree programs online in order to make entire programs available to a much wider audience of students not limited by physical location. The Provost has asked the Task Force to make recommendations about various aspects of program delivery, and to answer some specific questions:
1. How can we ensure academic quality with respect to course content, instruction, and student learning?
2. What existing or future resources are needed to support faculty in the development of online courses and programs?
3. How should online education be governed, organized, and administered at Madonna University?
4. Is our current learning management technology and support system able to support more online learners?
5. How do we determine which programs we should put online?
6. How would we market, recruit, and provide services to students studying 100% online?
7. Can we develop an online program strategy that can be not only self-sustaining but also contribute positively to the financial health of the university in the long run?
The Task Force was asked to investigate and study best practices in administering online academic programs and to consider how these best practices can be implemented at Madonna University. The committee members conducted a review of literature available on the subject and reached out to numerous institutions offering online programs. Based on the findings, a model of new Online Program Launch was developed.
Course Quality
First, the presenters will discuss the importance of participating in the Quality Matters program, adopting the Quality Matters rubric, incorporating a master course shell design, developing new online courses and programs in accordance with quality standards as defined by QM methodology and the OLC Quality Scorecard for the administration of online programs, providing course peer review process, and training new and existing faculty.
Course Development
Second, the presenters will discuss the value of forming Course Development Teams. These teams should consist of the subject matter expert, the instructional designer, the multimedia developer, and a project manager. Faculty, who design courses for programs available 100% online, should receive technical assistance from a course development team and various incentives such as release time and stipends.
Governance and Administration
Third, the presenters will elaborate on the effectiveness of the three-level shared-governance model, the role of the Online Steering committee, and the Faculty Advisory Board.
Online Learning Technology
Fourth, the presenters will share their review of the best practices and research related to the usage of technology for online course delivery and student support. What is the “gold standard”? What types of technology does an institution need to have to thrive online?
Program Selection
Fifth, the importance of the online program feasibility study and the use of pro forma will be discussed.
Student Services
Sixth, is your school website online student friendly? We will focus our conversation on marketing funds, marketing strategies, appointing online recruiters and academic advisors, and incorporating the Success Coach Program.
Financial Sustainability
Last but not least, we will discuss the concept of financial sustainability. Is it a positive return-on-investment at the course program level or do online programs benefit institutions in other ways?
Audience Appeal
The primary goal of the presentation is to describe an effective and proven approach to assist administrators in engaging faculty and helping to overcome the fear of change and the uncertainty online program initiatives. Secondly, the presentation will illustrate some of the most important considerations in growing online programs.
To make this presentation more interactive, the presenters are planning on utilizing audience contributions and a “partner exercise.” The presentation will be a dynamic, fast-paced overview of specific strategies that will help you to engage constituents; and to improve your online course quality, provide timely student and faculty support and services, and ultimately decide what new programs to develop and put online at your institution.
The presenters hope to give attendees a glimpse into the future and inspire them with many possibilities of successfully increasing their enrollments via new online programs.
Interactivity/Active Engagement
The presentation will end with an interactive questions and answers session and a discussion with the audience about their knowledge of and experience with introducing new online programs and how they have overcome challenges on their own campuses.
The audience will be provided with a link to the site that includes a summary of the points covered in the presentation, a graphic display of the feasibility study approval process, and a resource list.