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3. Getting from Here to There: Best Practices for Strategic Planning for Online Education Elliot King and Neil Alperstein Professors of Communication Loyola University Maryland @elliotkingphd www.university5dot0.com eking@loyola.edu

4. Background Launched low-residency M.A. program in Emerging Media 2013 – Two years of planning – Only online program at Loyola. – Currently approximately 80 students Best Practices in Online Program Development in 2014 – @elliotkingphd – www.university5dot0.com

5. Agenda Review of strategic planning Results from review of publicly available strategic plans for online/distance learning/education Simple rules as strategy exercise

6. Origins of Strategic Planning Alfred Chandler’s insight that structure follows strategy in business in Strategy and Structure: Chapters in the History of American Industrial Enterprise (1962) Igor Ansoff’s Corporate Strategy (1965) written for “working managers ”

7. Common Strategic Planning Cycle

8. Levels for Strategic Planning

9. Key Assumptions Strategy is a process that involves the hierarchical ordering and selection of alternatives Information is gathered and evaluated that informs that process The choices made lead to organizational change

10. Strategic Planning in Higher Ed

11. Cultural and Organizational Challenges

12. Review of Available Strategic Plans for Distance Education 30 Strategic Plans Main categories – Public 4 year institutions – Community College Districts – 2 online-only institutions Includes full strategic plans and reports Institutional efforts and offices of distance learning

13. Areas of Interest The planning group Report structure The period The vision Top goals

14. The Planning Group

15. Report Structure

16. Timeframe

17. Vision Statements 1 Become a recognized leader in learner-centered adult education, focusing on career-relevant programs that build the skills, competencies and capabilities our students need to realize their professional aspirations. We will transform ourselves to place student interest first in all things; support quality academic innovation; and become more agile efficient and effective. Reimagine and redefine learning to enact positive change and improve society.

18. Visions Statements 2 Online learning is a strategic asset that has a unique capacity to help the university expand its reach, capitalize on promising opportunities and ultimately fulfill its mission The primary market for online education should be its natural markets including residential students, students in campus regions and (state) citizens and professionals. Online education should combine the best features of a campus education with the best capabilities of the our renowned technological infrastructure.

19. Vision Statements 3 To enable the college to respond most effectively and efficiently to the growth in demand and to the rapidly changing technological opportunities within the field of e-learning. Distance Learning offers students preparation for success in the modern world of embracing student diversity while providing students with the best in educational and technological advancements to help them succeed

20. Top Priority/Goal Vanguard in the art and science of online teaching and learning Student Success: Help students earn and degree or certificate and achieve their professional goals and successfully employment. Engage alumni and business partners as mentors, coaches and potential employers of our students. Generate $25 million in new revenue for the university from distance education programs

21. Top Priority/Goal 2 Increase student success and retention Providing students will reliable and consistent access to their online course materials is a priority. Increase student retention and success achieving parity with Face-to-Face classes over the next 3 years.

22. Simple Rules as Strategy Figure out what moves the needles Identify the bottlenecks Craft the rules

23. Conclusion Strategic planning is an integral elements of developing an online education initiative Many institutions are using a traditional strategic planning model The strategic plans vary widely on many dimensions. Other approaches to strategic planning may be more appropriate for developing online education at the university level. @elliotkingphd www.university5dot0.com Best Practices in Online Program Development (Routledge, 2004)