Online Learning as a Strategic Asset: APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning Benchmarking Study Bob Samors, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Sally McCarthy, APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning Jeff Seaman, Babson Survey Research Group EDUCAUSE Live! December 1, 2009

Setting the Stage Bob Samors, APLU Project Director, APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

APLU Initiative in Online Learning  Grant from Sloan Foundation to create a cadre Presidents and Chancellors knowledgeable about the strategic value of online  Established APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning (Jack Wilson, President, Univ. of Massachusetts, Chair; 7 Presidents; and other senior administrators)  Commission Strategies: –understand the knowledge base and experience of Presidents/Chancellors re: online learning –target the key priorities and concerns of senior leadership –determine the potential of online learning to serve as a strategic tool to address those issues –develop strategies/resources that could assist Presidents and Chancellors in overcoming barriers limiting the strategic utilization of online learning

APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning  Surveys: –APLU Presidents and Chancellors –Tribal Colleges and Universities Presidents –NAFEO Presidents and Chancellors  29 dialogue events: –1000+ participants; 300+ CEOs

APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning Survey Findings: Is there a disconnect? Strategic Importance of Online Learning –critical to long-term strategy of institution APLU- 68% AIHEC – 62% NAFEO – 84% –represented in institution's strategic plan APLU- 41% AIHEC – 27% NAFEO – 52% –not critical to long term strategy APLU- 4% AIHEC – 15% NAFEO – 7%

Benchmarking Study – Part I Institutional Interviews Sally McCarthy, PhD Consultant APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Institutional Interviews Background   Designed to acquire a better understanding of the key factors contributing to successful, strategic online learning initiatives   Invited 95 APLU members; anticipated participants; 47 campuses volunteered   final cohort – 45 institutions (wide range)   1M+ students; 100,000+ online enrollments APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Institutional Interviews Areas of Inquiry Faculty Incentives Student Life Cycle Senior Administration Academic Quality and Effectiveness Administrative and Financial Models Technology APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Institutional Interviews Methodology   Cohorts of approximately six institutions in each area of inquiry   Interviewed 4-8 personnel per campus identified by institutional contact   Conducted 231 interviews (7/08-1/09)   Interviewees: – –Chief Executive Officers/Governing Board members – –Senior Academic Administrators – –Senior Non-Academic Administrators – –Online Administrators – –Faculty and Online Students APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Institutional Interviews Key Observations   Engage senior leadership   Integrate online into institutional planning, academic structure   Review and assess routinely over time   Develop reliable financing mechanisms   Develop adequate and consistent resources for both faculty and students APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Benchmarking Study - Part II Faculty Survey Jeff Seaman, Co-Director Babson Survey Research Group APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Faculty Survey  First cross-institutional survey of faculty attitudes toward online  69 campuses, 10,700+ responses  Same questions as Sloan-C Annual Survey  Sample: All public, Faculty: 60 to 3,500+  Represent 900,000+ enrollments  Online enrollments: zero to 10,000+ APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Who teaches online? APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Why Faculty Teach Online APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

It Takes More Effort APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Barriers

Faculty Institutional Ratings APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Large Differences in Campus Ratings APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Learning Outcomes APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Recommend Online? APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Next Steps APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning  More detail on learning outcomes versus recommendations  What constitutes good faculty support?  What incentives work?  Expand to more campuses:  Interested in participating  Survey all faculty; receive report comparing campus to national results  Modest fee

Benchmarking Study Conclusions Bob Samors, APLU Project Director, APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Benchmarking Study Results The Challenges   Online takes more faculty time and effort   Institutional incentives are not viewed as good motivators   Concerns persist about quality of learning outcomes APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Benchmarking Study Results The Opportunities   Everyone teaches – stereotypes are not correct   Faculty are motivated by student needs   Faculty recommend online   Faculty with online experience are more positive APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Benchmarking Study Results Imperatives for Campus Leaders   Administrators need to know who is teaching online and why   Campus leaders need to develop creative ways to recognize and reward faculty   Faculty and administrators need to resolve issues around perceptions of quality   Online initiatives must be routinely reviewed and assessed to identify and address needs and opportunities as they arise APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Questions and Discussion APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Thank you! For more information, please contact: Bob Samors APLU Jeff Seaman Babson Survey Research Group APLU-Sloan National Commission on Online Learning

Online Learning Reports (Major Initiatives)