Distance Boston University: Disruptive Pedagogy SED AP 550 class November 4, 2009

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here Unique Features of BU’s Distance Learning  Full Programs On-line  New Audiences of Working Professionals  Significant Investment in Infrastructure and Reliance on Marketing Partners  Faculty Development – shared experience  Ability to Standardize/Share/Focus/Invest -- Potential for Differentiation and Globalization 2

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here It Takes a Village … Institutional Commitment  Full academic programs – not individual, random courses  Carousel calendar – planned, consecutive 7-week courses  Infrastructure for course development, faculty and student services support  National student recruiting effort  Financial model – high expense requires high volume 3

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here Faculty Commitment  Complete degree programs  Faculty roles as course developer, instructor of record, facilitator  Department oversight of academic standards – faculty coordinator and program manager roles 4

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here Student Commitment  Full program online  Lockstep progression through program – 20 hours/week/course - high retention  Active learning model – high degree of participation and interaction 5

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here 6 Revenue in Millions of Dollars FY-2003 to FY-2008

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here Distance Education Survey – January Who are our online students?  72% (78% of alumni) are older than 30 years old  37% reside in Northeast, 7% within 30 miles of BU, and 5% are international  Majority chose distance education for time rather than geography  About two-thirds chose their online program for personal aspirations rather than specific career goals  The two major assets in the BU program are brand name and course quality 7

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here How do students assess online education? Cognitive Dissonance Factor  Before enrolling, 35% (25% of alumni) believed online education was the same or superior to on-campus  After enrolling, 74% (73% of alumni) believe online education same or superior 8

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here How do students evaluate Boston University, based on their online program?  Quality of University 89% (94% of alumni) – excellent or very good  Faculty Access 55% (66%)  Faculty Quality 74% (79%)  Online Content 71% (81%)  Student Services 75% (80%) 9

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here What are students’ longer-term assessment of the online educational experience?  95% expect to benefit professionally from degree  <1% received negative reaction at work for their online program  43% of alumni stay in touch with classmates  90% (94% of alumni) would choose online format again and 89% (93%) BU again 10

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here Our Challenges are Many  Besides staying on top of technology, funding, enrollment, integrity….we may face Generational Divergence  Which is? The disturbances caused by up to four generations in the workplace, or in our case….the online classroom, moving in different directions 11 Traditionalists Baby Boomers Generation X Millennials

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here Recent Snapshot of MSPM 12 N = 300

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here How Do You Balance? Pedagogical Approach Use of Technology Institutional Constraints Needs of Millennials Needs of Gen X Needs of Boomers Needs of Traditionalists 13

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here  Life experience creates Autonomy Need for immediacy Goal and relevancy-orientation  Motivated by self actualization, professional advancement, service, social interaction Understand Student Motivation 14

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here  4 C’s  Technology has enabled students to be more participatory learners  Process of content development is key  Developing content is as valuable than the end result Accountability for Learning CommunicationCollaborationCreationContribution Source: Selected National Findings, Speak Up 2008 for Students, Teachers, Parents and Administrators March 24, 2009 ( 15

Boston University Slideshow Title Goes Here  In 5+ years, today’s baccalaureate grads will look online first for their professional Master’s degrees Really? What Do You Think? Nancy’s Hypothesis 16

Next Frontiers Extending distance learning to other colleges at BU Creating an infrastructure to support blended programs Extending our outreach more internationally Creating the Web-Enhanced Classroom