This cross-functional approach allows institutions to quickly launch quality online programs, by running two planning and development processes simultaneously; academic and student support. The two processes are intertwined and coordinated, designed with common goals and milestones. Faculty and staff work together and across teams, to achieve success.
As academic leaders grapple with post-covid enrollment challenges, many colleges and universities are now considering online programs for their institutions. However, in this increasingly competitive online market, some may question whether it is too late for them to jump in, perhaps risking academic quality and institutional reputation by taking shortcuts.
In this presentation, we will review and discuss this rapid prototyping model, which allows for program development that saves considerable time without risking academic rigor or quality of student support. The audience participates through brainstorming/polling for pathway ideas, and then we will break into small group discussions to share ideas and draft planning documents; both for the academic pathway, and the student support pathway.
Typical program development models are often methodical and complex; requiring multiple layers of planning, design, development, testing, auditing, and evaluation. These are necessary, critical tasks to be completed in order to achieve success. However, if we chose to take this process, and divide it into two pathways, one focused on academic development and the second focused on developing student support, we can achieve our goals in significantly less time. And, if managed properly, this process enables deeper collaboration and coordination among the stakeholders.
Each pathway may be broken down into subgroups, following existing academic and student support frameworks at the home institution. Academic pathway milestones may follow an instructional design approach: outcomes, learning activities, media selection, assessment and feedback. Student support may broadly mirror existing student support offices or departments: admissions, registrar, advising, tutoring, wellness services, veterans’ affairs, or any other support provided.
An example of this cross-functional approach at work would be in the creation of an online course shell for the purpose of being utilized as a virtual tutoring space inside the LMS. The academic pathway team would assist with the creation of the course shell, student enrollment, and calendar dates for the semester. The student support pathway team, primarily tutoring in this case, would assign tutors, and communicate with students about tutoring options in their online program. The two teams would coordinate due dates for completion, and plan for future upgrades to the tutoring space.
After attending this session, audience members will:
- Explain the importance of collaboration and coordination throughout the jump-start process
- Define the different milestones of jump-starting program development, both for the academic pathway and the student support pathway
- Return to their home institution with a draft roadmap for jump-starting their programs