Planning, Budgeting & Evaluating Online Student Services

Many colleges are adding online courses and virtual student support services, but institutions often lack the expertise and experience to fully plan and develop the technology required. Navigating the new technology solutions, working with IT colleagues, and creating an accurate budget can be time-consuming and confusing, yet with an organized and strategic approach, creating a strong foundation of effective online services can be a key factor in increasing student success. This webinar will review the basics of project planning, budgeting accurately, evaluating insourcing vs. outsourcing and agile vs. traditional approaches, and defining the scope of work. Participants will learn how to create strategies to lead through influence instead of authority and how to maximize key communication approaches to evaluate “fit” for the college and methods to navigate institutional politics affiliated with expanding online student services.
While there is no doubt that we will need to expand and leverage technology uses to support online learners and fill the gaps in student services, creating the right mix that will meet the needs not only of the students, but staff and faculty as well is a challenge we all face. With the additional factor of severely declining financial resources, institutions must make critical decisions for spending scarce funds to maximize the impact of services and programs they select, understanding the role of online services in supporting the mission and goals of the college.

This is the second webinar of a 3-part series focused on utilizing and expanding online student services that will guide participants through the process of planning and development of these projects. Participants will be able to implement strategies to design and construct plans to add additional services that support student success with online courses.