autonomy vs. collaboration – how to build collaborative system services for educators comeau
DESCRIPTION
Post secondary institutions are highly autonomous. Attempts to create services connecting educators across institutions clash with beliefs that educator needs can be entirely met within the institution. Collaboration is viewed as a loss of autonomy and as sharing proprietary knowledge with a competitor. However, collaboration among educators from different institutions can lead to improved practices, cost-savings, and innovation. This session will explore how to mitigate tensions between institutions when building collaborative system services for educators.Moderator: Gary Langer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovations, Minnesota OnlinePresenters:Luc Comeau, Executive Director of eLearnnetwork.caCheryl Comstock, Director of Online Program Development, CCCOnline (CO)Curt Madison, Director of eLearning Program Development, University of Alaska,FairbanksPaul Stacey, Director of Development and Professional Services, BCcampusTRANSCRIPT
Lessons LearnedAutonomy vs. Collaboration
elearnnetwork.ca: Rural Access (2007)
COLLABORATION BEATS AUTONOMY?
• 19 Colleges• 16 Universities• 17 Community Hosts Community Agencies• 1 Administrator agency (Contact North)• 1 Funder (Ontario)
Courses - Lessons Learned
• From an early estimate of approximately 1,500 distance education courses in Ontario, our course research uncovered 7,500!
SILOS STUNT GROWTH
LMS platforms - Lessons Learned
• Obstacle: Institutions use different learning platforms and store and update their program and course information in a variety of ways; elearnnetwork.caexpanded staff training and developed innovative solutions to collect and update information for its online database and to provide front-line support.
DON’T FORCE COLLABORATION
Front-Line Support - Lessons Learned
• Providing personal support for learners is critical to dispel perceived fears and possible misconceptions of eLearning.
HIGH TOUCH BEATS HIGH TECH TO EXTEND REACH INTO RURAL AREAS
Data Management - Lessons Learned
• There is great potential for increased collaboration regarding data management and promotion of online course & program offerings.
START SMALL & SIMPLE (DO THE WORK FOR THEM) THEN BUILD
Cross-Promotion - Lessons Learned
• There is great potential for cross-promotion of online course & program offerings.
RESPECT INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY RE HOW THEY SELL
Market Data - Lessons Learned
• There is great potential for providing market data regarding requests for courses & programs not currently offered.
BE TRANSPARENT IN INFORMING ALL AT THE SAME TIME
Curriculum - Lessons Learned
• Our access network’s suggestion to help facilitate curriculum development.
WHEN MEETING A SACRED COW IT’S BEST TO TREAD CAREFULLY
