Sanaz Pentz
Senior Sales Consultant - Interactive Markets, TARGUSinfo
What are the challenges that a non-profit school faces when contemplating adding online programs or starting distance learning?
Steve Durkee
Market Strategist/Analyst/Executive Coach
This is a question that could easily be turned into a book, but I figured I would chime in with a few things to consider. Attrition management is probably the primary factor to prepare for when rolling out a new program. Online programs typically have high student drops, and require multiple support vehicles to be set up prior to roll-out. Having a powerful web-self-service (WSS) solution, that is individualized to meet the needs of your market, is key to overall success. At MFactorial this is one of our largest investments in new ventures. It takes an extremely knowledgeable consultant to evaluate and custom tailor WSS solutions for clients. We have seen much of the industry fail because they take experience from top-down in their institutions and try to implement old processes from the last 20-30 years into current WSS. It is important to keep in mind that there are multiple variables that keep students from completing online curriculum, and today’s student arguably presents more challenges than any other previous generation. Today your average online student is often working full-time, may have a family, is likely taxed from the expense of going to school, and as such is hanging on by a very thin thread. It is important not to enter into the venture haphazardly as many do, consider all your variables, invest in the right expertise up front and it will pay huge dividends in the long run. Last but not least, when evaluating the right expertise, make sure you choose a firm that keeps in mind the entire student process, from sending in an initial inquiry to graduate and employed in their field of study. Best of luck at the conference, Steve
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