Online & Blended Program Sustainability: 10 Questions All Administrators Must Be Able to Answer

August 31, 2010 - 3:13pm | by kbetts
Presenter(s)
Kristen Betts (Drexel University, US)
Ken Hartman (Drexel University Online, US)
Carl Oxholm (Drexel University, US)
Session Information
November 5, 2010 - 11:10am
Track: 
Leadership, Values and Society
Areas of Special Interest: 
Online Learning and Community Colleges
Major Emphasis of Presentation: 
Practical Application
Institutional Level: 
Multiple Levels
Session Type: 
Group Presentation
Concurrent Session: 
8
Abstract

This session identifies 20 economic and demographic factors confronting colleges/universities and driving online and blended enrollments. The session also presents 10 questions administrators must be able to answer regarding long-term sustainability of online and blended programs. Presenters will discuss costs, quality, scaling, and branding relating to online and blended programs.

Extended Abstract

Higher education is at a pivotal time. As with many nonprofit organizations and corporations, survival will depend upon achieving the elusive balance between flat or declining revenues and increasing expenses. As economic and demographic shifts continue to challenge higher education, and as financial constraints reset consumer preferences, institutions will have to redefine and reposition themselves as part of an increasingly competitive landscape. Economic and demographic factors are driving enrollment growth rates in higher education. In fact, between fall 2007 to fall 2008, online enrollment growth rates increased 17% while overall higher education growth rates increased only 1.2% (Allen & Seaman, 2009). While online and blended education offer higher education new opportunities to reach extended student markets through quality and cost-effective programming, administrators and faculty must be strategic in developing programs that are fiscally sustainable. Recognizing that program sustainability is critical to an institution's operating budget, it is quintessential that online and blended programs engage and retain students. Student engagement and retention are particularly important in online education since reported attrition rates range from 20% to 50% (Diaz, 2002; Frankola, 2001) and even as high as 70% to 80% (Dagger & Wade, 2004; Flood, 2002). This session will present an overview of economic and demographic factors that are increasing higher education enrollments based on a published December 2009 article in JALN by the presenters. The session will also present data on online and blended education growth in the United States as well as provide a brief overview on student retention. Additionally, the session will present 10 questions that all administrators must be able to answer regarding the long-term sustainability of online and blended programs. The session will culminate by discussing costs, quality, scaling, and branding for online and blended program development and sustainability. Presentation outcomes include (a) a detailed understanding of economic and demographic factors that are changing the higher education landscape; and (b) 10 questions that attendees can take back to their institutions to ask their administrators regarding the long-term sustainability of their online and blended programs. The presentation will provide time for the participants to share experiences and ideas as well as discuss online and blended program growth and best practices.

Final Presentation: 
application/pdf iconTenQuestionsSloan2010BettsHartmanOxholm.pdf
Lead Presenter

Dr. Kristen Betts is an Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Education at Drexel University. She is the Director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership & Management for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania campus. Dr. Betts has over 15 years of experience in higher education, leadership, and online and blended education. Dr. Betts publishes and presents nationally and internationally on online and blended education, student/faculty recruitment and retention, Online Human Touch, effective communication, student generated content, cooperative education/work integrated learning, leadership, academic advising, and faculty training. Dr. Betts served as the founding director of the Master of Science in Higher Education (MSHE) Program at Drexel University. In 2008, the MSHE Program received the Best Practices Award in Distance Learning Programming from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). In 2009, Dr. Betts was named as one of Drexel University’s award recipients for Outstanding Online Instructor. Prior to coming to Drexel University, Dr. Betts was the principal of an educational research company that worked with corporations, government agencies, and educational institutions to maximize administrative operations through data driven decision-making, strategic planning, and eLearning.