Distance Education: An Opportunity for the Future Kenneth L. Esbenshade Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs February 2008

Outline Our experience at NC State University Distance Education: Approaches and Apprehensions Toward a national collaborative program

CALS/NCSU Academic Year

Student Credit Hours Generated Academic Year Percent of Total: 3.1% 4.5% 4.8% 5.4% 6.1%

DE Programs

Types of DE Programs Offered Undergraduate Certificate Undergraduate Minor Graduate Certificate Masters Degree

Approaches to DE Internet, primarily using a CMS (course management system) DVDs containing lectures and supportive information Internet based with supplemental material Internet based with meetings (face-to-face or video conferencing) Real-time video conferencing

5 Commons Fears About Teaching Online 1.Online courses aren’t as good as face-to-face courses 2.Some subjects can’t be taught online 3.Instructors won’t be able to connect with students 4.The software and systems are too hard to learn 5.Teaching online will take more time and effort From: Online October, 2005

Basic Pedagogical Needs for Teaching Online 1.Student learning objectives 2.A comprehensive syllabus 3.A detailed calendar 4.A topic presentation plan 5.Intervention strategies 6.Student assessment plan

Toward a National Collaborative Program

The Great Plains IDEA Model (Academic Programs)  Faculty develop and update curricula  Institutions award credit and degrees  Institutional academic policies and procedures prevail  Programs are available online.

The Great Plains IDEA Model (Students) Admitted to a university Enrolled in courses and graduate from that university Taught by faculty from multiple universities Served by faculty advisors and campus coordinators

The Great Plains IDEA Model (Program Development) 1.Member proposes program. 2.Interested partners are identified. 3.Faculty build curriculum and recommend teaching responsibilities. 4.Market/needs surveys and business plan are prepared. 5.Inter-institutional program is approved. 6.Institutional programs are approved.

Fall Investing in the Family’s Future Financial Planning Case Studies Personal Income Taxation Family Systems Funda- mentals of Financial Planning Spring Profes- sional Practices in FFP Estate Planning Insurance Planning Financial Counseling Summer Housing & Real Estate Financial Planning Case Studies (if demand) Retirement Planning Housing & Real Estate Family Econ Anytime - 6 Credit Practicum/Project Family Financial Planning Master’s Curriculum - 42 Credits

The Great Plains IDEA Model (Course & Program Management) 1.Once a course is offered, it will need to be repeated at least annually to accommodate new entrants to the program. 2.To underwrite institutional and alliance costs, courses should be filled to capacity. Great Plains IDEA recommended size for a graduate course is 25 students. 3.Develop annual reports that include outcome assessments.

Finance Model: Common Price Common Price = Tuition + Fees Fall 2007: $415/graduate credit hour; $295/undergraduate credit hour

The Great Plains IDEA Model ( Common Price/Credit Hour ) Collected at the student’s home (admitting/enrolling) institution. Each institution determines revenue allocation internally. Annual price review.

Great Plains IDEA AG-IDEA Engineering IDEAHuman Sciences IDEA

Responsibilities of Lead Institution (Kansas State University) Coordinate governing board and program faculty meetings Manage course enrollment process Manage alliance finances Maintain alliance website and alliance records Recommend changes and improvements in policies and procedures

Agreements and Documentation  Bylaws  Memoranda of Agreement Alliance Intent to Plan Academic Program  Alliance Policy and Procedure Handbook  Program Faculty Handbook  Student Handbook

Ag-IDEA (Institutional Responsibilities) Membership in Ag-IDEA Culture of Collaboration Faculty Workloads & Rewards Program Approval and Review Institutional Policies and Practices

Ag-IDEA (Campus Staff Coordinator Role) Handles day-to-day operations Creates and updates web pages and online course catalog Student support services Coordinates courses, student enrollment and course access, information and fund exchange

Ag-IDEA (Campus Faculty Coordinator Role) Oversight of websites, students, faculty, interaction among staff coordinators Work with university faculty and administrators to implement academic programs and resolve problems Recommend changes and improvements

Ag-IDEA (Campus Faculty Role) Develop and teach courses Recommend program requirements Review courses Assess programs Recruit and advise students

Utilize existing connections: organizational or collegial Select institutions of similar types –Faculty have similar basic philosophy/mission Balance between theory and practice –Similar student populations Complementary areas of faculty expertise Workload equity Lessons Learned: Partner Selection

Communication is CRITICAL!! Have a communication plan Face-to-face meetings build trust Regular conference calls, s Written minutes of meetings Open and frank communication Lessons Learned: Partner Process

Toward a National Collaborative DE Program……….. Questions ??? Comments ???