Faculty Transitions In Online Delivery: Make Or Buy? Tips For Developing A New To You Online Course

Abstract

In the last few decades, teaching courses online has become a standard practice at many colleges and universities. Although technologies and pedagogies have changed rapidly during this time, developing an online course is still a labor and time-intensive undertaking. With changes in staffing and course offerings, faculty are often faced with determining the most effective and efficient ways to assume responsibilities for online courses. The authors suggest that under particular ownership expectations there are three main approaches for faculty tasked with offering a course online: 1) develop a new course, 2) modify an already existing course, or 3) adopt an existing online course as-is. Some decision guidelines and sample scenarios are offered to aid faculty in determining the best approach for launching or taking ownership of an online course offering.