Institutional Partnering for Success in Distance Education Degree Program Development

Introduction

• This presentation demonstrates the need for strategic partnerships in which both partners, IDEAL and EMOD, capitalize on each others strengths to develop a blended masters degree program.

Topics Covered• Why change?• The factors• The recognized need• The recognized solution• Why a blended approach?• Why a partnership?• Blended program development• Blended course development• Instructor training • Selecting technologies• Academic freedom and cooperation• Support strategies• Overcoming obstacles• Marketing

EMOD - Executive Masters of Organization Development

A Change Program in Desperate Need of Change

Why the need for change?

• The program has been facing increased competition

• EMOD operates in a difficult economic environment in the Midwest within 4-5 hours of Bowling Green

• The blended format enables an expansion of prospective students

The Recognized Needs

• A wider market niche

• Expand their geographic reach

• Adapt to a new executive education model

The Recognized Solutions

• Save Time - Require fewer on- campus sessions

• Optimize Time - Utilize on campus sessions more effectively

• Maximize Time - Utilize time before, between, and after on-campus sessions more effectively.

The Conclusion: A Blended Program

• After taking all of these factors into consideration, EMOD decided that a blended program would best meet the needs.

Why go Blended?

• The blended format enables a flexible, accessible, and engaging online environment, which, in turn, enhances the effectiveness of the face-to-face time at BGSU. 

• Second, it is what people in this day and age expect. Prospective students were and continue to inquire about online instruction. 

• Third, the move also enables the college to reach a wider geographic area and a more diverse student population as the current EMOD cohort proves; including students from all over the state of Ohio, as well as Michigan, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas.

EMOD contacted IDEAL

• EMOD contacted IDEAL because they are the distance technology leaders and experts at the university.

The Design and Development of a New Blended Program:

Ideal + EMODA team was constructed

Areas IDEAL has assisted EMOD

• Online program creation process (green sheet)• Online and face to face training (technology and

pedagogy)• Online community development• Introduction to new technology tools• Media development (video, audio, etc)• Instructional design • Online Communication• Technical support• Marketing

Training

• IDEAL provided Online and face to face training (technology and pedagogy).

Program Design

• IDEAL worked with EMOD to design a consistent theme for the program, online community, and individual courses.

• Colors, banners, buttons, communications

Course Design

• IDEAL facilitated the process of moving the course delivery method from a face to face environment to a hybrid environment.

Online Communities

• IDEAL helped to foster community for both students and faculty by developing online communities.

Integration of New Technology

• IDEAL helped EMOD identify available and relevant technologies and online services such as such as blogs, voip, podcasts, wiki’s, etc.

• Provided explanations of the advantages and disadvantages of using various technologies.

EMOD Blog

• IDEAL helped EMOD design, develop, and implement the EMOD Blog.

EMOD Demo Course

• IDEAL has helped with the design, development, and implementation of an EMOD demo course for recruiting purposes.

Support Strategies

• Entire blended programs needs extra support beyond traditional university support

• IT support for technology infrastructure• IDEAL to supports faculty• Hired GA for student support and research• Instructors are trained to hire baseline

technology questions• Provide links and resources in the EMOD

community to all necessary hardware and software requirements.

Academic freedom and cooperation

• More structure and continuity across courses – Stress Design

• IDEAL’s role is to assist the department – Stress Support

• Listen to objectives and suggest solutions – Stress Listening

Overcoming Obstacles

• Diverse courses

• Diverse teaching styles

• Diverse personalities

• Time Commitment

Marketing

• ONLINE.BGSU Website

• EMOD Recruiting

• EMOD Blog

Conclusion

• It takes a team of dedicated individuals to run a blended program.

Questions?

• Handout

• Any Questions?