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about good practices and sound policies that accelerate the effective adoption and use of technologies in teaching and learning.

Conversations with Allen Lind and Sandra Cook

 

Photo of Allen Lind

Photo of Sandra Cook

Allen Lind, CEO, Kentucky Virtual Campus
and Vice President for Technology and eLearning
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

Sandra Cook, System Director
Distance Learning Technologies for
Kentucky Community and Technical College System

 

WOW Award Recipient "KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand" Offers Modular, Competency-based, Open-entry Learning

Interviewed by Russell Poulin, Deputy Director, WCET
November 2010

The WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Award recognizes exceptional efforts by WCET members in implementing technology in higher education, especially in outstanding innovation, quality improvement, or achievements in using educational technology tools, techniques, or services.  We will be featuring the four recipients of the 2010 WOW Award over the next few months.

The first to be featured is an effort to break the mold of “traditional” higher education models.  Last year, the Kentucky Virtual Campus (KYVC) and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) partnered for a virtual learning initiative (VLI) established to reach new markets of students both within and outside Kentucky.  The KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand is designed to provide students with flexibility and access to online programs and courses that are developed fully online in a modularized, self-paced, competency-based format where individuals can start at any time. Watch the video!
 
Russ: WOW is right.  KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand tackles several taboos at once.  This is not just online education, but your courses: a) use a just-in-time, open-enrollment, open-exit format, b) use a modular format in which classes are less than 1 credit hour or less, c) competency-based so that students can immediately jump to the exit test if they know the content, d) textbook free with all content electronic and integrated, and e) self-paced so that students take the time they need, but there is a time limit.  I don’t see many places tackling one of this issues and you took them all on.  What was the motivation and vision behind creating KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand using this model?
 

Sandy: In 2006, KCTCS along with Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) both conducted a year-long study to inform how to reinvent online learning.  The KCTCS research found that we could TRIPLE the numbers, that there was high demand for online learning with low supply, and that Kentucky employers were wanting instant training with no workday interruption.  Specifically, 2006 census information showed that Kentucky had 2 million working adults between the ages of 19 to 54, and of those adults, over 1.3 million did not have a baccalaureate degree and were not currently enrolled in higher education.  Further, 14 percent (187,600) of that 1.3 million stated they were interested in enrolling in higher education if it was offered in a format conducive to their busy lifestyle.  

Allen: The CPE research produced similar results including one third of interested responders declaring a preference for online delivery. KYVC provided a $460,000 loan for development of the model. The motivation for both organizations was to support educational delivery models that accommodated busy working adults to further their education.

Russ: This is a partnership of the 16 KCTCS colleges. What programs and certificates are offered through KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand and how did you decide which campus offers which program?

"Our motivation was to support educational delivery models that accommodated busy working adults to further their education."

Sandy: Currently, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science degrees plus related diplomas and certificates in Business Administration and Information Technology are being offered.  By January 2011, a Nursing Career Pathway (nurse aide assistant, practical nursing, and Associate in Applied Science in Nursing), industrial maintenance, and transitional education (developmental) Reading, Writing, and Math will be available through the KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand model.  KCTCS colleges who have received program approval to award the credential may offer the programs.  Programs and courses are developed through a Request for Proposal process where a Lead College is selected to develop the courses and offer the program through KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand.

Russ: Who develops the courses?  Does each institution develop them completely on their own? 
 

Sandy: Courses are developed through the management of a "Lead College" chosen by KCTCS. The Lead College hires course leaders and developers to work with content providers to design the course and organize learning content/activities in the learning management system - we use Blackboard. Each Lead College is encouraged to partner with content providers, such as a publisher or specialty content/software, who can provide engaging, multi-media, interactive content and authentic assessment strategies, including formative and summative approaches.  Through its eLearning Services, the KCTCS System Office provides added resources, including Blackboard and Quality Assurance training. Throughout the development and delivery stages, eLearning Services provides facilitation of regularly scheduled LIVE meetings with Lead College leaders to assist with management details of the KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand project requirements.

Allen: Any eligible content is contributed to the Kentucky Learning Depot, our statewide learning object repository.

Russ: Who teaches the courses?

Sandy: Facilitators with appropriate credentials are hired and trained by the Lead College to teach and facilitate the courses, and Facilitators are paid by number of students enrolled in courses.  All facilitators teach from the same content. Additional facilitators are added as needed so enrollment is never capped.

Russ: What are the biggest barriers you overcame in creating courses and programs that are open-enrollment, modular, competency-based, and self-paced? 

Sandy: Because of the disruptive nature of the model requiring different ways to think about a multitude of processes, barriers and challenges were numerous throughout the development of the KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand model which included re-design then developing and implementing of processes and procedures within most all functional areas at the colleges, including:
  1. Curriculum redesign to include modules that lead to parent courses to credentials,
  2. PeopleSoft SIS to allow students to choose a start date 365 days, 24/7,
  3. HR and Payroll for quality certification of facilitators and compensation per student,
  4. Required e-resources business model to allow for content and course requirements available on students’ chosen start dates with payment of content routed to content providers through Barnes & Noble.
  5. Developing understandable financial aid processes.

Russ: Are there barriers you are still trying to overcome?

Allen: A major barrier still trying to overcome is financial aid for students wanting to enroll in KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand courses and programs.  Basically, financial aid is available as a reimbursement when courses are successfully completed.  This has been a barrier for many students who need aid to pay upfront for the courses on enrollment.

“Students react positively to taking short courses, demonstrating prior knowledge for credit, and engaging in quality learning.”

Russ: How do the students engage in these courses?     

Sandy: Students engage in the courses through interactive learning activities, formative and summative assessments, and through multiple ways of demonstrating master of competencies for both content and skills.

Russ: Where do they enroll?

Sandy: Students may enroll through PeopleSoft self-service or through the Home College – Admissions and Registration information. 

Russ: What has been student reaction to this concept?

Sandy: End of Course Evaluation and Student Satisfaction Survey responses provide positive reactions for opportunities to take short courses, to demonstrate prior knowledge and receive credit, and to engage in quality learning.

Russ: Do they grasp it quickly?

Sandy: It depends on the students. There have been some who procrastinate and with the shorter courses (mostly five weeks) find it harder to make up lost time.  Otherwise, similar characteristics are needed to succeed in KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand as with students in traditional semester-based online classes.

Russ: What advice would you give to others who would like to follow in your shoes in creating courses and programs in the KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand model? 

Allen: Ensure that your key leaders are committed to the vision. It’s then important to involve all functional areas that will support new models of delivering education such as KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand which require thoughtful discussions to cover details.

Sandy: From the beginning, KCTCS leadership identified core individuals to serve on the KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand Implementation Team who lead the effort to redesign processes and procedures to accommodate a delivering model that included “start anytime” and enroll in courses that allow for progress at student’s pace within the timeframe allowed for the course offering.  The Lead Colleges’ Project Team Leaders and Administrative Leads are also heavily involved in vetting KCTCS Online - Learn on Demand policy, procedures, and processes. We believe this model can scale and be successful at 4-year institutions as well to improve completion rates for people needing flexible access.