Allied Schools Allied Schools

The Life of a CourseThe Life of a Coursefrom conception to decommissionfrom conception to decommission

Presenter:Presenter:

Alex Lazo, PhDAlex Lazo, PhDAcademic DeanAcademic Dean, Allied American University, Allied American University

Chief Academic OfficerChief Academic Officer, Allied Business Schools, Allied Business Schools

alazo@allied.edualazo@allied.edu949.598.0875 x5707949.598.0875 x5707

The Life of a CourseThe Life of a Course

Seven StepsSeven Steps1.1. ConceptionConception2.2. AnalysisAnalysis3.3. DevelopmentDevelopment4.4. ApprovalApproval5.5. LaunchLaunch6.6. Maintenance & RevisionMaintenance & Revision7.7. Decommission (if necessary)Decommission (if necessary)

Step OneStep One

ConceptionConceptionAn idea for a course can originate from:An idea for a course can originate from:

1.1. Response to student requestResponse to student request2.2. Competitor analysisCompetitor analysis3.3. Search for differentiatorSearch for differentiator4.4. Search for new income sourceSearch for new income source5.5. Desire to attract new segment of studentsDesire to attract new segment of students6.6. Response to new regulationsResponse to new regulations

Step TwoStep Two

AnalysisAnalysisFinancial Analysis Research Model (“FARM Report”)Financial Analysis Research Model (“FARM Report”)

Assesses viability of courseAssesses viability of course Allied involves Marketing, Admissions, and Allied involves Marketing, Admissions, and

Curriculum & Course Development (CCD)Curriculum & Course Development (CCD) If deemed non-viable due to limited size of If deemed non-viable due to limited size of

market and/or development challenges, course market and/or development challenges, course idea is “shelved”idea is “shelved”

If deemed viable because sizable market exists If deemed viable because sizable market exists and development is feasible, then added to and development is feasible, then added to CCD scheduleCCD schedule

Step ThreeStep Three

DevelopmentDevelopmentWhere will Content be Found?Where will Content be Found?

AuthorshipAuthorship ““Wrap”Wrap” ““Home-grown”Home-grown” Purchase/LicensePurchase/License PartnerPartner

Learning Management SystemLearning Management System TestingTesting

Development ProcessDevelopment Process

1.1. Pre-DevelopmentPre-Development2.2. Materials SelectionMaterials Selection3.3. DevelopmentDevelopment4.4. BuildingBuilding5.5. Peripheral MaterialsPeripheral Materials6.6. TestingTesting7.7. Submission for ApprovalSubmission for Approval8.8. Support Staff ReviewSupport Staff Review9.9. Pre-LaunchPre-Launch10.10. LaunchLaunch

Step FourStep Four

ApprovalApproval1.1. FacultyFaculty2.2. DETCDETC3.3. Regulatory Agency (as needed)Regulatory Agency (as needed)

Step FiveStep Five

LaunchLaunchThere are two steps involved in the Launch process:There are two steps involved in the Launch process:

Pre-LaunchPre-Launch Notice sent via email to specific recipientsNotice sent via email to specific recipients Sent approximately on week prior to LaunchSent approximately on week prior to Launch All relevant information includedAll relevant information included May allow pre-enrollmentMay allow pre-enrollment

LaunchLaunch Notice sent via email to entire organizationNotice sent via email to entire organization Sent on day of LaunchSent on day of Launch May include corrections and additional informationMay include corrections and additional information

Pre-Launch NoticePre-Launch NoticePre-Launch: Pre-Launch: XYZ CourseXYZ Course

Target Launch Date: Target Launch Date: Monday, 10/4/2010Monday, 10/4/2010

Purpose: Purpose: We are launching the new version of XYZ Course for all states.We are launching the new version of XYZ Course for all states.

Type:Type: New Version of Course containing the following updated content: New Version of Course containing the following updated content: Section on recently-enacted lawsSection on recently-enacted laws

This change is due to new regulatory requirements.This change is due to new regulatory requirements.

Code:Code: XYZ-123XYZ-123

Clock Hours:Clock Hours: 30 Hours30 Hours

OK to Sell:OK to Sell: California, Colorado, Washington DCCalifornia, Colorado, Washington DC

Course Price:Course Price: $100.00 (Tax: $8.25; Shipping:$100.00 (Tax: $8.25; Shipping: $5.00)$5.00)

Payment Plan:Payment Plan: N/AN/A

Discount:Discount: N/AN/A

Textbook:Textbook: XYZ for DummiesXYZ for Dummies

Website:Website: http://www.alliedbusinessschools.comhttp://www.alliedbusinessschools.com

Units:Units: 14 required units. Each unit includes:14 required units. Each unit includes:

Overview, Objectives, Assignments (Multiple-Choice Lesson & Unit Exams)Overview, Objectives, Assignments (Multiple-Choice Lesson & Unit Exams)

Exams:Exams: Online Final (covers 1-14), 65 Multiple-Choice Questions, 2 Hours Online Final (covers 1-14), 65 Multiple-Choice Questions, 2 Hours (Proctored) (Proctored)

Requirements:Requirements: Internet access, Adobe ReaderInternet access, Adobe Reader

Course Type:Course Type: 100% online with textbook supplement100% online with textbook supplement

Online Platform:Online Platform: iBoard iBoard

Course Description:Course Description: This course will prepare students to define, analyze, and apply all aspects This course will prepare students to define, analyze, and apply all aspects of XYZ. of XYZ. This knowledge is needed for the XYZ state exam.This knowledge is needed for the XYZ state exam.

Course Objectives:Course Objectives: define XYZdefine XYZ

analyze XYZanalyze XYZ

apply XYZapply XYZ

Step SixStep Six

Maintenance & RevisionMaintenance & RevisionThis can be triggered by one or more of the following:This can be triggered by one or more of the following:

Student feedbackStudent feedback Regulatory changeRegulatory change Annual Program ReviewAnnual Program Review Industry changesIndustry changes

Step SevenStep Seven

DecommissionDecommissionA course can reach this stage if one or more of the A course can reach this stage if one or more of the

following occur:following occur:

Outdated beyond ability to refineOutdated beyond ability to refine Low enrollmentsLow enrollments Major regulatory changeMajor regulatory change

The Life of a CourseThe Life of a Course

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts Refined Course Development process can Refined Course Development process can

provide a competitive advantageprovide a competitive advantage Internal expertise needs to existInternal expertise needs to exist Outdated courses reflect badly on schoolOutdated courses reflect badly on school Feedback is critical to continuous improvementFeedback is critical to continuous improvement Sometimes it’s better to “cut our losses”Sometimes it’s better to “cut our losses”