Module 4: Building Sustainable Online Programs
When designing new online programs, the initial work is on the vision, development, and implementation stages; however, from the perspective of an educational leader, there must also be a focus on program sustainability. In this module, we unpack the idea of sustainability in relation to meeting existing community needs effectively through the development of online programs and their long-term success. We highlight different approaches to ensuring sustainability and focus on creating a sustainability plan for your program.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Unit 1: Sustainability and Online Programs, you will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of embedding sustainability in the program design process
- Apply a sustainability lens to the process of designing and implementing your program
You will take away:
- Knowledge of areas within your own institution that currently promote sustainable program development and where sustainability efforts need to be developed
By the end of Unit 2: Preparing for Sustainability Planning, you will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of using a systems approach to embed sustainability in the program design process
- Determine institutional and/or departmental readiness to create a sustainability plan
You will take away:
- Awareness of whether your institution and/or department is ready to develop a sustainability plan for your program
By the end of Unit 3: Creating A Sustainability Plan, you will be able to:
- Revisit your online program vision with a sustainability lens
- Create or review a sustainability plan for your institution
You will take away:
- A sustainability plan that is both actionable and renewable