This interactive workshop explores strategies for innovating program infrastructure, addressing support challenges, and ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining educational excellence. Attendees will gain insights from rapid growth of a scalable affordable online program at a research institution, learning how to overcome obstacles and drive positive change in their own institutions.
After remarkable enrollment growth driven by brand recognition, affordability, and flexibility at a research institution in their online graduate degree programs, the surge in student numbers has strained support services and highlighted the need for innovation not only to distinguish programs but also to enhance the quality of learning. This express workshop explores strategies for innovating program infrastructure, addressing support challenges, and ensuring sustainable growth. Attendees will gain insights from the presenters to overcome obstacles and drive positive change in their own institutions.
Leaders in higher education are constantly seeking ways to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing educational landscape. The growth of online programs presents unique challenges that require innovative solutions. This express workshop is specifically designed to address the needs of leaders who are grappling with managing growth, optimizing resources, and driving strategic change in the context of online program infrastructure. Leaders in online and blended learning will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to navigate these challenges successfully.
The workshop incorporates interactive components to foster engagement and facilitate meaningful discussions among participants. These components include:
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Small Group Discussions: Participants will be divided into smaller groups to discuss and share their experiences, challenges, and strategies related to online program growth and infrastructure. This collaborative approach allows participants to learn from one another and gain diverse perspectives.
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Presentation: Participants will examine a real-world case study highlighting a successful example of an innovative program infrastructure and strategic change initiative. Through analysis and discussion, participants will gain actionable insights that can be applied to their own institutions.
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Interactive Exercises: Interactive exercises will be conducted to encourage participants to brainstorm creative solutions to common challenges faced in online program infrastructure. These exercises will promote critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
By the end of the express workshop, attendees will take away:
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Strategies for Innovating Program Infrastructure: Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to innovate in online program infrastructure, including operational improvements, process optimization, and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the learning experience.
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Effective Resource Management: Attendees will learn practical techniques to effectively manage limited resources such as staff, time, and budget, while ensuring the sustainability and growth of online programs.
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Driving Strategic Change: Participants will explore frameworks and approaches to drive strategic change within their institutions, aligning program goals with operational strategies and fostering a culture of innovation.
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Insights from Peer Collaboration: Through group discussions and interactive activities, participants will have the opportunity to learn from their peers, exchange best practices, and gain valuable insights from diverse perspectives.
Importance to the Conference Theme:
This express workshop strongly aligns with the conference theme of Creating Connections: Uniting Learners through Collaboration and Creativity. In the context of online program infrastructure, collaboration and creativity are key to addressing the challenges faced by higher education leaders. By bringing together a diverse group of participants, this workshop fosters collaboration, encourages the exchange of ideas, and creates a platform for leaders to collectively explore innovative approaches to enhance online learning experiences. By equipping leaders with strategies to navigate growth and drive strategic change, this workshop contributes to the conference's overarching goal of fostering connections and collaboration among learners in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.