DISTANCE LEARNING BUSINESS PLAN

Anytown Community College

Charlotte FosterCapella Universitycfoster12@capellauniversity.eduED7212-Administration & Leadership ofDistance Education ProgramsInstructor-Mac Adkin

Executive Summary

Dr. Joe Henderson-President Anytown Community College Smalltown, GA 30009

Dear Dr. Henderson.

It has been a pleasure to work on the distance learning initiatives at Anytown Community College (ACC). This business plan will provide you

with realist and most important issues of investing into a Distance Education Program here at ACC. In addition to promoting the best

educational benefits of the Distance Education Program, the business plan shall address the financial ramifications, describe the decision

making process and other operational procedures of the program. Included in the business plan for ACC are the services to be offered,

funding needs for the phases of design, development, and dissemination, issues regarding infrastructure, marketing, recruitment,

admissions, assessments, library and support (Shelton & Saltsman, 2005).

The successful organizational transformation will require leaders with esceptional competencies in organizational management with the

ability to lead with a vision. Many distance education leaders perform managerial roles that require controlling cost and revenue, recruiting

and maintaining a more divers student body, while promoting a program of instruction that is more engaging and satisfying for learners. It is

this strategy that will bring ACC to being acknowledged as a replicable institution with an accredited online degree program for working

adults within the next three to five years. Implementation will require strategic management of processes that will guide the leaders of this

program into successful transformation. The most important step is to show how changing to online courses are connected to the mission of

the organization by utilizing educational activities and providing cost savings mechanisms. Managers who are in charfe of major milestones

of the program will strive to show instructors and trainers the advantages of short-term strategic processes and how they aid in reaching long

term goals.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology is critical to the success of the current online program that is in the making involving the

distance education team, instructional design team, and the IT team. With joint efforts of these teams we

have began the construction of an online curriculum that will enable our students to perform at

immaculate skill levels and acquire knowledge that is sufficient for performing in real work environments.

An important element to the success of this online course curriculum is technology which drives the

functionality and usability of the program. Considering the special characteristics of the courses involved

in the distance learning program, the best learning management system should be one that provides

“multiple functions of teaching and learning support, facilitate group work, encourage exchanges of ideas,

deliver comprehensive learning materials and give extensive guidance to students as well as to allow

greater flexibility in designing the curriculum and study schedules and assessing students’ performance”

(Simonson et al 2009). A complete package will consist of an efficient LMS/CMS, access to training and

support resources and equipment for both the student and the teacher. To cover this expense funding will

be provided from the revenue of tuition and fees received from the students.

Cost & Budgeting

To expand learning opportunities through distance learning initiatives at ACC the college needs adequate resources for growth, development and maturity. The online program will be integrated into the college budgeting system, therefore the overall business plan and policies will demonstrate an institutional commitment to the online program and its success. Careful consideration has been given to how the online program will impact the overall budget, funding of the program, and how the financial information is communicated to the students.

Program Design and Structure

A thorough understanding of the college’s core business values, the nature of the intended student market, and the needs of the curriculum are key elements for the programs success. A set of guidelines are also needed for creating well-designed courses that are of high quality. The success of this development process also depends upon understanding the values and mission of the college as well as assessing the needs of the intended audience. The four major guidelines to course design are:

– 1. Organization Guidelines- Unit Model Topic Approach(UMT). 3 credit courses with 12 to 15 modules. 1 week of instruction requires 2 hours of classroom studying from the student. Content is provided by the instructor in lectures, videos, audios, presentations, and other learning experiences.

– 2. Assessment Gudilines-Evaluations provide information for continuous improvement in the courses. Learning outcomes are measured through examinations, papers, projects, quizzes, assignments, and graded discussions are common assessment types.

– 3. Content Guidelines- the use of various forms of visual media such as (audio/video presentations, and graphical representations of topics helps instructors with well-designed high quality courses.

– 4. Teaching Guidelines- the recommended pace of instruction and course accommodation for instructor-student interaction action is a weekly module, synchronous chats, 2 or 3 threaded discussions, and instructor emails to students.

Mission

The department of Distance Learning at ACC provides the core support needed to administer distance learning activities throughout the college. All department heads, faculty leaders, and academic staff will commit to working collaboratively to attract and retain a population of the brightest and most intelligent students while adhering to the core values and mission of the college.

Our Mission is to:

Increase the colleges access to the world electronically by offering accessible tools and technology based on the most recent research and development of e-Learning environments and emerging technologies. The learning environments will prepare students for sharing the practical applications of knowledge and expertise needed to perform in today’s society. Provide open learning environments for teaching and learning that are asynchronous/synchronous; allowing for participation anytime and in any place.

Visionary Approach

The future of distance education at ACC depends upon leaders with competencies in “knowing, designing, leading and managing” (Simonson et al 2009). In order for ACC to become a replicable institution with an accredited online degree program for working adults new learning environments must exist for transfer of new knowledge on a global level. To support this vision the Distance Learning Program will:

– Operate as an educational organization that encourages innovation and recognizes excellence. – Provide leadership teams with the knowledge and expertise needed to deliver the distance learning program. – Utilize best practices to promote a learner-centered approach to distance education preparing students with practical

applications of knowledge necessary for performing in a global culturally diverse society.– Off quality distance learning courses that meet new learning requirements and expectations,.– Continue to provide accessible resources and support services for faculty, students, and staff.– Develop an outreach program supporting teaching and research.

Estimated Cost and Revenue

http://isat-cit.marshall.edu/distance/calculatedcosts.asp

Total Costs Total Revenue

Year 1 $96,034.05 $0.00

Year 2 $239,758.27 $734,400.00

Year 3 $417,402.74 $1,713,600.00

Year 4 $636,218.62 $2,998,800.00

Year 5 $909,039.29 $4,651,200.00

Year 6 $1,254,615.94 $6,793,200.00

Year 7 $1,694,702.13 $9,608,400.00

COST CALCULATIONShttp://www.marshall.edu/distancelearning.pdf

Number of Students Currently Enrolled 5000

Number of New Online Courses 12

Course Developer Compensation $3500

Tuition Rate $450

Technology Fee $60

Instructional Technology Support $2500

Expected # of Students in each course 20

Server to Host Course 2000

Expected Growth Rate 30 %

Strengths and Benefits

Identifying the needs of both internal and external audiences is essential for identifying the key segments throughout the college where the online program will have the greatest potential. This also helps to define the resources that must be allocated to support the distance education program. Based on information collected from students, faculty, administration, department staff, and the community the following issues must be addressed in order for the program to make an significant impact on the educational needs of the students.

– ?????

BEST ESTIMATE METHOD

The Best Estimate Method is…. It is another approach that can be used to estimate cost which is easier to understand.

Overload to Instructor $3,500.00

Course Design (ID), Subject Matter (SME) ~ 200 hours@ $60/hours

$12,000.00

Production Costs: 200 hrs@ $40/hour $8,000.00

Production Materials $1,000.00

Indirect Costs: ~40%=$9,800 $9,800.00

Total Best Estimate for 12 Module, 3 Credit Course

Course = $34,300 x12

FINANCIAL PLAN AND BUDGET

Organizational Cost

– Funding Sources Tuition/Fees - $96,034/05 Grants For Higher Education Grants for Emerging Technologies

HUMAN RESOURCES

Associate Instructor-Interim Faculty Chair

Dean of Distance Learning

Instructors

Training & Support Staff

IT Staff

Instructional Designer

Visual Designer

Content Experts

Programmers

Multimedia Designer

Operating Budget-Breakeven Analysis

Cost

Office Space

Work Space

Instructional Equipment

Instructional Materials

Supplies

Software

Funds Disbursed

Faculty Salaries

Faculty Travel

Database Cost

Library Resources

BUSINESS PLAN SUMMARY

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4ACTIVITY

No. of Courses offer

12 4 5 6 8

No. of Enrollments

0 480 640 840 1080

INCOME

Tuition Revenue

$0.00 $648,000 $864,000 $1,134,000 $1,458,000

Technology Revenue

$0.00 $86,400 $115,200 $151,200 $194,400

TOTAL INCOME

$0.00 $734,400 $979,200 $1,285,200 $1,652,400

TOTAL COST $96,034.05 $143,724.22 $177,644.46 $218,815.89 $272,820.67

NET INCOME -$96,034.05 $590,675.78 $801,555.54 $$1,066,384.11 $1,379,579.33

Learning Management Systems

Learning Management Systems are Internet-based software systems designed to assist in the management and administration of educational courses. Proficient users are able to manage student enrollment, track student performance, create and distribute course content. Instructors will also have the ability to manage their classes, assignments, activities, quizzes, and test resources in an accessible online environment. The basic components of a Learning System will consist of Learner, Subject Content, Technology, and Pedagogy, but the true system will be embedded with more functions and features, designed for integrating into a Student Information System.

Learning System

Learner Subject Content Technology

Pedagogy

PROGRAM GOALS

Start a distance learning program to expand the accessibility of what the college currently offers working adults

To select an efficient CMS that compliments campus-based courses.

Effectively integrate a Course Management System into academic practices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning outcomes are the results of the established goals listed in the program. They are:(find a definition)– Translated into course content– Resources used in approaches to teaching and

learning process that enable the student to achieve the outcome.

BLACKBOARD

Blackboard is recognized as the most efficient delivery platform. Content is provide through a cartridge method. Key code is provided to the student for downloading cartridge content.

Startup Cost -$30,000 Operations - $10,000 Content System - $35,000

METHODOLOGIES

Unit-Module-Topic Approach

− 3 credits

− 12 to 15 modules E-Learning Instructional Model

− Analysis

− Design

− Implementation

− Execution

− Evaluation

Program Objectives

To help improve the quality of instruction and provide new learning opportunities for working adult learners.

To increase the relevance, scope and efficacy of learner's educational experience by integrating a CMS into academic practices.

To provide creative content, services, pedagogies and practices that support the development of ICT.

To ensure the availability of good open educational practices through self-assessment and peer review.

LEARNING OBJECTS

Learning objects are digital resources that can be reused to support learning in online education. They tend to work well at enhancing learning outcomes when combined with other learning activities and learning materials. Technology tools are needed to create learning objects and learning materials.

AUTHORING TOOLS & SOFTWARE

Adobe Photoshop Macromedia Flash Microsoft PowerPoint

E-Learning Instructional Model

FIVE PHASES OF E-LEARNING MODEL– Analysis– Design– Implementation– Execution– Evaluation

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Instructional Technology Instructional Design

The final phase of the project will involve undergraduate and graduate degree plans inbusiness and IT programs. This will consist of the remaining 9 courses.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

REVENUE & EXPENSES

Year 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4

Total Revenue $734,400.00 $979,200.00 $1,285,200.00 $1,652,400.00

Total Expenses $146,154.25 $180,885.42 $223,069.64 $278,290.79

NET iNCOME $588,245.75 $798,314.58 $1,062,130.36 $1,374,109.21

REVENUE & EXPENSE CHART

PROGRAM REVENUE OVER 4 YEARS PERIOD BASED ON STUDENT ENROLLMENTS

1 2 3 4$0.00

$200,000.00

$400,000.00

$600,000.00

$800,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,200,000.00

$1,400,000.00

$1,600,000.00

$1,800,000.00