1. Designing an Online Program Strategy
Pat James | Seth Reichlin
League for Innovation
New York, February 2019
Sponsored by the Collaborative Brain Trust

2. Presenters Pat James Hanz Seth Reichlin
Senior Consultant, Collaborative Brain Trust
Former Executive Director, California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative
Seth Reichlin
Former Senior VP Market Research, Pearson Education

3. Why do you need an online program strategy?
Meet demand
Grow enrollment
Program sustainability
Manage costs
Why do you need an online program strategy?

4. Growing enrollment is essential
Traditional-age student pipeline is slowing due to demographic changes
Adult enrollment has dropped sharply due to strong labor market
Institutions need to reach more working adults
All face scheduling pressures
Source: National Student Clearinghouse

5. Students need more flexibility in scheduling
Many face long commute times and difficulty parking
Online and hybrid sections can give students necessary scheduling options
Many students prefer hybrid instruction

6. Most adult learners in SF say that online courses offer more flexibility, and equal prestige
Source: PSB survey of San Francisco residents aged 18+, April 2018

7. Widespread acceptance of online courses
Traditional aged students are accustomed to online courses
Online instruction is effective
Department of Ed meta-analysis found that “Students in online conditions performed modestly better, on average, than those learning the same material through traditional face-to-face instruction.”
Some states, including California, offer grants for colleges to improve online instruction
Widespread acceptance of online courses

8. Barriers to successful online program strategy

9. Potential for churn Source: CBT survey of CCSF credit students.
Base: Students who will be taking classes in Fall 2018

10. Faculty interest and training levels vary
Departments are generally responsible for online course offerings
Not all institutions require faculty training in online teaching methods
Financial incentives for training and online course development vary widely

11. Online program management services are not generally available to community colleges
Most online program management services (OPMs) operate on a tuition revenue share model
The tuition share business model creates incentives to focus on big-ticket graduate degree programs
Community college tuition fees are low
As a result, community colleges generally need to manage online programs themselves

12. Focus on the “How”
What are your challenges to developing a comprehensive online education plan?

13. Creating a Successful Planning Effort Starts with “Spirit”
Have a clear philosophy, and a consistent message.
Include everyone and meet them where they are.
Develop a comprehensive but flexible plan.
Creating a Successful Planning Effort Starts with “Spirit”

14. Philosophy and Message
FIND SOMETHING THAT IS HARD TO ARGUE WITH
DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR STUDENTS
ENCOURAGE CULTURE SHIFT
PERCEPTION MAY NOT BE REALITY
CHOOSE YOUR LANGUAGE CAREFULLY
ENROLLMENT GROWTH VS GROWTH OF PRACTICE

15. Graphic Courtesy of Mindwires.com

16. Myths and Hope “Online education is in its infancy.”
“Traditional on-ground instruction is better.”
“Online is not for everyone.”
Myths and Hope
Comparison.
Is there anything you can’t learn?
Don’t take teachers out of the class.

17. http://bit.ly/NewYorkCityLeague Web Resource Page
Online Education Plan: Sample Outline
Professional Development: A Sequenced Strategy
Links to documents or sites mentioned in the presentation
Presentation slides.