1. eLearning Strategic Planning March 4, 2011 Meg Brady, Director S&T Educational Technology

2. Definitions of eLearning The term e-learning is ambiguous to those outside the e-learning industry, and even within its diverse disciplines it has different meanings to different people. Dublin, L. (2003). If You Only Look Under the Street Lamps... Or Nine e-Learning Myths. The eLearning Developers' Journal, 1-7.

3. Definitions of eLearning E-learning covers a wide array of activities from supported learning, to blended or hybrid learning (the combination of traditional and e-learning practices), to learning that occurs 100% online [1] eLearning is the appropriate integration of technologies into the processes of teaching, learning, research, student services, and academic support [2] 1.From http://www.about-elearning.com/definition-of-e-learning.htmlhttp://www.about-elearning.com/definition-of-e-learning.html 2.Waterhouse, Shirley. EDUCAUSE 2006 presentation. http://www.slideserve.com/presentation/71179/Attaining-the-Power- of-eLearning-Through-Strategic-Planning

4. Definition of “online” and “blended” Proportion of content delivered online Type of Course Typical Description 0%Traditional Course with no online content. Delivery is oral or in writing. 1-29% Web- facilitated Course that uses web-based technology to facilitate what is essentially a face-to-face course. Uses a course management system (CMS) or web pages to post the syllabus and assignments, for example. 30-79% Blended / Hybrid Course that blends online and face-to-face delivery. Substantial proportion of the content is delivered online, typically uses online discussions, and typically has reduced number of face-to-face meetings. 80+%Online A course where most or all of the content is delivered online. Typically have no face-to-face meetings. Allen, I. E. & Seaman, J. (2008). Staying the Course, Online Education in the United States, 2008. http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf

5. eLearning Initiative(s) Opportunities & Challenges “Our Students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” --- Marc Prensky “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, 2001

6. The ‘Perfect Storm” for eLearning In 2009, we had the ‘perfect storm’ to make the case for eLearning: – reduced state funding – hiring freeze and faculty workload issues – growing enrollment with shortage of classroom space – a UM System strategic initiative to help provide resources

7. Kick-off & Quick Win Strategy Provost gathered group of engineering chairs for a rigorous discussion during Fall 2009 – What is eLearning? Does it fit for S&T? Can we address the obvious obstacles? eFellows Program “pilot” emerged as a way to incentivize and support 3 teaching faculty to redesign courses for blended delivery

8. eFellows Program & eLearning CoP eFellows Program – Established (2010) to provide year- long, focused support for faculty to develop courses that use best practices for blended and online learning. Includes CyberEd course for essential concepts; and establishes cohort for peer support. eLearning Community of Practice (CoP) – Established (2010) to extend the eFellows support model to faculty interested in applying these practices to courses, in smaller scale, at their own pace

9. Drivers External State funding Economic downturn Learner expectations Global flattening Competition Internal MSU program Student retention Time to graduate Classroom space Teaching workload

10. eLearning Initiatives S&T eLearning Initiative (est. fall 2009) – Emphasizes Blended course design to enhance learning for current students; target easing classroom space issues UM System – UM Online (est. mid-2009) – Emphasizes Fully Online course design and new enrollments; target double enrollment in 5 yrs State – Missouri Course Redesign Initiative (Oct 2010) – Emphasizes large course redesign for improved learning outcomes and lower institutional cost; engaged NCAT and 13 public 4-yr institutions

11. eLearning Strategic Planning: First Steps Pilot eFellows, CoP, IT projects to build awareness, interest and shore up cyber-infrastructure 2010 – Small group to shape discussion & strategy – CIO, VP Acad Affairs, VP Enrollment, EdTech – SWOT analysis – Identify obstacles & challenges – Establish building blocks for eLearning Strategy Identify Strategic Themes for eLearning Identify Tactical Approaches Create eLearning Vision for S&T

12. Obstacles & Challenges Change, uncertainty in unknown Academic policies & culture (P&T, IP, etc.) Institutional Priorities (not in strategic plan) Faculty workload Fear of negative impacts (student learning, evaluations, phase out instructors, etc.) Hands-on laboratory instruction Cyber-infrastructure shortcomings

13. Strategic Themes & Opportunities Improve the Learning Environment – Flexible schedule, learning styles, re-usable content, assessment, authentic & active learning Expand Access – 2+2 pgms, place bound students, non-traditional learners, corporate partners, international Leverage Institutional Resources – Cost avoidance (classrooms, housing), accelerate grad rates, collaboration (campus, UM & State initiatives)

14. Tactical Approaches Early Adopters / Critical Mass Over-Enrolled Classes Large Enrollment Classes Degree Programs

15. Early Adopter/Critical Mass Approach Create 'critical mass' of adoption which influences campus culture toward desired outcomes Ensure success of early adopters: Structured support Ensure ‘critical mass’: Incentives Two examples eFellows Program UM Online mini-grants This is the predominant approach in 2010-2011

16. Over-Enrolled Classes Approach Target required courses chronically over- enrolled (wait listed) Especially courses that create bottleneck for degree completion – required out-of-department courses – e.g. Hist 375 for ArchEngr students (2011 eFellow)

17. Large Enrollment Classes Approach Tackle the few courses with largest student / degree program reach Participate in Missouri Course Redesign Initiative (with NCAT), 2011-2013 Build out from Missouri Course Redesign Initiative to include all large enrollment undergraduate courses (math, physics, chemistry, english, etc.), 2012 and beyond

18. Vision of Learning at S&T in 2020? What does higher ed learning look like 10+ years from now? At S&T? Who are the learners? Where are they? How do they learn? What will be our viable business model for eLearning?

19. eLearning Strategic Planning: Next Steps 2011 – Broaden the discussion – Chairs & faculty participation – Address institutional barriers: culture, policy – Address cyber infrastructure – Formalize the vision & plan; integrate with campus plan

20. Thank You for Your Interest Your Questions & Ideas are Invited! Happy St. Pat’s! Contact Information: Meg Brady, directorEducational Technology megbrady@mst.edumegbrady@mst.eduMissouri S&T (573) 341-4845 officeedtech.mst.eduedtech.mst.edu (573) 201-3701 cell 4 th Annual Teaching and Learning Technology (TLT) Conference – March 10-11. See http://edtech.mst.edu/events/tltconference2011 for details.http://edtech.mst.edu/events/tltconference2011