Post secondary institutions are highly autonomous. Attempts to create services connecting educators across institutions clash with beliefs that educator needs can be entirely met within the institution. Collaboration is viewed as a loss of autonomy and as sharing proprietary knowledge with a competitor. However, collaboration among educators from different institutions can lead to improved practices, cost-savings, and innovation. This session will explore how to mitigate tensions between institutions when building collaborative system services for educators. Moderator: Gary Langer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovations, Minnesota Online Presenters: Luc Comeau, Executive Director of eLearnnetwork.ca Cheryl Comstock, Director of Online Program Development, CCCOnline (CO) Curt Madison, Director of eLearning Program Development, University of Alaska, Fairbanks Paul Stacey, Director of Development and Professional Services, BCcampus

1. Lessons Learned
Autonomy vs. Collaboration

2. elearnnetwork.ca: Rural Access (2007)
COLLABORATION
BEATS AUTONOMY?
• 19 Colleges
• 16 Universities
• 17 Community Hosts
Community Agencies
• 1 Administrator
agency (Contact North)
• 1 Funder (Ontario)

3. Courses - Lessons Learned
• From an early estimate of approximately 1,500 distance education courses in
Ontario, our course research uncovered 7,500!
SILOS STUNT GROWTH

4. LMS platforms - Lessons Learned
• Obstacle: Institutions use different learning platforms and store and update
their program and course information in a variety of ways; elearnnetwork.ca
expanded staff training and developed innovative solutions to collect and
update information for its online database and to provide front-line support.
DON’T FORCE COLLABORATION

5. Front-Line Support - Lessons Learned
• Providing personal support for learners is critical to dispel perceived fears
and possible misconceptions of eLearning.
HIGH TOUCH BEATS HIGH TECH TO EXTEND REACH INTO RURAL AREAS

6. Data Management - Lessons Learned
• There is great potential for increased collaboration regarding data
management and promotion of online course & program offerings.
START SMALL & SIMPLE (DO THE WORK FOR THEM) THEN BUILD

7. Cross-Promotion - Lessons Learned
• There is great potential for cross-promotion of online course & program
offerings.
RESPECT INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY RE HOW THEY SELL

8. Market Data - Lessons Learned
• There is great potential for providing market data regarding requests for
courses & programs not currently offered.
BE TRANSPARENT IN INFORMING ALL AT THE SAME TIME

9. Curriculum - Lessons Learned
• Our access network’s suggestion to help facilitate curriculum development.
WHEN MEETING A SACRED COW IT’S BEST TO TREAD CAREFULLY

10. Contact Us / Questions?
Luc Comeau
Executive Director
elearnnetwork.ca
(613) 678 5845
luc@elearnnetwork.ca
www.elearnnetwork.ca