Module 1: The Elements of Online Program Design and the Role Collaboration

Effective and engaging online programs are the result of vision, collaboration, and effective implementation of evidence-based planning. This work happens within and across various academic, staff, and student units at each institution. Online programs that integrate the knowledge, skills, and resources available across an institution often experience both tangible and intangible benefits. Tangible benefits, for example, might include access to centrally available eLearning tools and expertise, student learning supports, or previously developed course content. While intangible benefits might include opportunities to integrate policies more smoothly or sharing “lessons learned” from other program developers, thus reducing faculty, student, and staff workload and stress.

In this book, we define “Online Program” as any set of learning experiences and associated supports where learners receive a credential for demonstrating institutionally–approved learning outcomes. Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed primarily through digital tools and technologies and attendance in a physical location is not required to meet the program requirements.

This module explores the elements that make up an online program, beginning with a student-centred focus on how online students experience moving through their program. It then situates that experience within a wider network or “ecosystem” of online program design and implementation by exploring the role that institutional or cross-unit collaboration, resources, and policy play in the creation of effective online programs. Lastly, it provides information that will help leaders assess their overall readiness to engage with the elements of creating and implementing online programs. While each institution will differ in the roles and resources that are available to support online programs, we encourage you throughout this module to explore, ask questions, and document what is available at your institution, and then to reflect on how knowledge and collaboration beyond the department or Faculty level can strengthen and shape online program design and implementation.