instructional strategies for online success larry ragan, director of instructional design and...

Instructional Strategies for Online Success

Larry Ragan, Director of Instructional Design and Development, Penn State’s World Campus

Holly L. Breitkreutz, Associate Dean/Director,Learning Innovations, University of Wisconsin-Extension

SPEAKERS

Program Objectives• Who we are (collectively)• Explore options for:

– ID&D Services, Learner Support & Organizational Structure

• Brainstorm alternative strategies

Introductions• Holly L. Breitkreutz

Associate Dean/Director,Learning InnovationsUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension

• Larry RaganDirector of Instructional Design & DevelopmentPenn State’s World Campus

• Participants

Instructional Design and Development

Strategies for Instructional Design Support

• Currently support:- 9 degree programs – 5 more being discussed- Covering 100+ courses- Across 10 UW institutions

• Provide faculty consultation and development• Provide faculty support during running of courses

Strategies for Instructional Design Support• dotEdu development team• Team approach

- LI staff instructional design experts- Faculty content expert

• Dev Team- Project Manager- Instructional Designers- Course Builders- Editors

• Skill sets- Graphic Arts- Media Development- Flash and other design development tools/platforms

Strategies for Instructional Design Support

• Learner Centered Instruction• High level of collaboration and interaction• Design driven by content and course structure• Extensive use of templates• High tech and high touch

Strategies for Instructional Design Support

• ID&D is a faculty support unit for the design and development of instructional materials delivered in a variety of distance learning formats:– Independent Learning

(200 print-based technology-supported courses)– World Campus

(150 technology-based, print-supported)

Strategies for Instructional Design Support

• Team-oriented approach:– Faculty (content/pedagogy)– Instructional designer (ID/project management)

– Instructional technologist– Editor– Graphic artist

Strategies for Instructional Design Support

• Designed toward content (varied look and feel)• Use a variety of ID approaches and software• Courses need to be developed to fill delivery timeframe

(program related)• Cost efficiencies and process improvements• Biggest remaining issue: content on time

Strategies for Instructional Design Support

• Menu of Services: method of accommodating for unit-level ID&D activities– Full serve (ID&D does all)– Mid-level (unit does content development, ID&D does

content implementation)– Self-serve (unit does all except implementation)

Additional Strategies for ID&D

•Audience Input

Strategies for Learner Support

Strategies for Learner Support

• Administrative services available – see handout• Extensive collaboration with degree granting

institution• Integration with other UW System wide applications

- Electronic Applications for Admission- Transfer Information System- Major database- HELP online

• Future integration of our data systems with institutional systems

Strategies for Learner Support

• One-stop shop• Ombudsman role• Call center• One-to-one relationship with learner• High tech and high touch

Strategies for Learner Support• Administrative Services

– Inquiry response (call center)– Student record tracking– Student registration/admissions– Lesson tracking services– Exam Services– Financial Services

Strategies for Learner Support

• Bookstore interface: management of relationship with MBSDirect

• Academic– Student Counseling– Relationship with instructors

Strategies for Learner Support

• Technical Support– Developed in-house– Components of the HelpDesk

• Course Solutions• Web Dictionary• Tips and Techniques• Downloads

Strategies for Learner Support

• General Strategies• Expanded hours• Increased use of information system• Search for scalable support models• Integration with University record and financial systems

Additional Strategies for Learner Support

•Audience Input

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Overview• Online partner developing and supporting degree/certificate

programs for the 26 UW campuses• Provider of comprehensive support services for learners and

faculty• Supplier of e-learning solutions to external clients• Created by UW Board of Regents (1997)• Employer of 80, with annual budget of $6M• Sound organization leveraging 109 years of UW experience and

expertise in distance education• Winner of IBM/Lotus 2000 Beacon Award for Excellence in

Training and Education

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Mission• Create a student-centered learning environment• Remove time and place as barriers to learning• Generate change within UW System• Encourage collaboration among UW campuses• Export Wisconsin education to the nation/world• Serve as online partner to all 26 UW campuses

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Business Plan• Provide online education services to UW institutions• Capitalize on depth and breadth of UW System• Focus on program-based offerings not individual

courses• Share tuition revenues with UW institutions• Operate with a combination of self-generated and

state (public) revenues• Contract with external clients and other universities to

provide them with e-learning solutions

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Functions• Faculty consultation and development• Course design, development, and management• Support services for learners and faculty• Marketing and distribution• Custom e-learning solutions for external clients

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Units• 2 Development Teams

- dotEDU- dotORG

• Learner Services• Business development supporting each• IT

- web services- Network Admin- Apps development

• Administrative

Strategies for Organizational Structure

Operational Strategies• Production process• Heavy reliance on standardized processes• Heavy reliance on contingency staff• Use of project managers• Culture that promotes teamwork across units

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• Parent Organization:Outreach and Cooperative Extension– World Campus– Public Broadcasting– Continuing Education– Extension Service

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• Created a 4-team model for project flow– Academic Programs (incoming)– ID&D (development)– Student Services (delivery)– Financials (the money folks)

• Support services include:– Marketing team– Client development

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• Academic Programs:– Responsible for interface with academic unit– Manage overall PROGRAM aspects (marketing, ID&D,

finances etc…)– Process driven (well at least they try)

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• ID&D– Previously described– Take our marching orders from Academic Programs– Working on becoming more systematic

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• Student Services– Previously described– Transitional shift from traditional DE to new online delivery– Global support presence

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• Finance: not a part of WC but University-wide unit– Responsible for managing income and expenses– Responsible for costing data and time tracking

Strategies for Organizational Structure

• Marketing: bring enrollments to classes• Client Development: develop and mentor relationships with

corporate customers• Marketing Research: “pulse of the industry,” wants and

needs of customers==matched to University resources

Additional Strategies for Organizational Structure

•Audience Input

Access to Resources

•Slide Site: http://www.personal.psu.edu/lcr1

•Larry Ragan: lcr1@psu.edu

•Holly Breitkreutz:

•Breitkreutz@learn.uwsa.edu