Request for Proposals: Online Course and Module Development Projects

Online Initiative

Request for Proposals: Online Course and Module Development Projects

Shared Online Course Fund 2014-15

October 3, 2014

This package contains informationprepared by the Council of Ontario Universities regarding the process and criteria for the submission of course and/or module development project proposals for the 2014-15 Shared Online Course Fund. Please see the following Table of Contents for a list of enclosed documentation.

Table of Contents page #

2014-15 Shared Online Course Fund – University Proposal Guidelines...... 1

Appendix A: Further Information on Course and Module Categories...... 6

Appendix B: Preliminary Statement of Intent –Courses and Modules...... 9

Appendix C: Statement of Design Intent –Courses...... 11

Appendix D: Statement of Design Intent –Modules...... 15

Appendix E: Evaluation Rubrics – Courses and Modules...... 18

Appendix F: List of Courses Approved in 2013-14...... 28

2014-15 Shared Online Course Fund – University Proposal Guidelines

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) is administering the 2014-15 call for proposals and distribution of funding provided by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to support the development of high quality, university degree credit online courses – a second call similar to the call last year in the Ontario Online initiative. The Ministry’s goals in this initiative include: leveraging existing online strengths in the sector and developing new opportunities for collaboration; improving institutional productivity and the efficient use of resources; providing high quality online learning opportunities for students; and enhancing student access and mobility. In pursuing these goals, the Ministry seeks to enhance the national and international profile of Ontario as a leader in online education.

Ministry funds (in a separate envelope) will also support the development of Ontario Online, a centre of excellence in online and technology-enhanced learning. Ontario Online will be an incorporated member organization, whose members will be all publicly-assisted colleges and universities willing to participate.

Background

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has provided $4.5 M in 2014-15 for Ontario universities through the Shared Online Course Fund.

Resources available through the Shared Online Course Fund are directed at online course development or redesign, and the development of reusable content (modules).

The description below outlines the process and criteria for selecting online course development/redesign or module projects to grow and enhance high quality online learning opportunities for students.

These criteria have been approved by the Ontario University Online Steering Committee (which has been established by the Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents), to apply the Ministry’s guidelines more specifically and clearly to the university sector.

Description of goals and process

As described in the Shared Online Course Fund guidelines, an MTCU objective is to support the development of high-quality online courses and learning modules that are broadly available and recognized for credit or sharing across multiple institutions. A maximum of $75,000 has been made available per online course development/redesign project or module development/redesign (one-time funding). A total of $4.5M has been provided in the university sector to support these projects.

For the 2014-15 round of course funding, the development of collaborations among and within Ontario universities (and/or across the sector) will be given a higher priority. The Ministry’s objective is that, with increased opportunities for collaboration, Ontario universities can enhance online and technology-enabled course development and offerings, improve student access to a variety of course and program types, and realize efficiency gains. Collaboration encouraged by the 2014-15 call may also support the development of a community of practice in the sector, and enable the development of fully online programs.

For the purpose of this initiative, collaboration is broadly defined, to include partnerships between universities (for example, through shared course design or delivery, cooperation between content experts and university-based multi-media experts, or transfer credit agreements), and within universities (where separate departments collaborate to develop a more efficient means of delivering common content).

Collaborations outlined in Shared Online Course Fund proposals may include partnerships between:

•Two or more Ontario universities;

•A university (or universities) and a college (or colleges) in Ontario; or

•Different academic departments within a university.

Collaborations may be developed at the course or program level.

Funding Categories

Projects eligible for funding fall into two categories:

Online course development or redesign; or
Learning module development or redesign.

Proposals may be submitted for courses or modules delivered in English or in French.

Proposals may be submitted for graduate-or undergraduate-level courses or modules.

These categories are further described below:

Online courses:

Online courses eligible for funding may be:

Courses designed for high enrolments, including introductory or foundational courses;
Courses developed to improve sustainability of a low-enrolment program across more than one institution. These include low-enrolment upper-level, or graduate-level, courses; or
Online courses to facilitate the development of fully online degree programs.

The Ministry’s emphasis is on funding for online introductory or foundational courses. The Ministry’s guidelines also acknowledge that funds can be directed to other categories of courses. Appendix A provides additional information on course and module categories.

Evidence of collaboration will also be emphasized in the review process. Proposals evidencing collaborative course development or delivery across universities (or across colleges and universities) will be prioritized over proposals designed, developed and delivered by individual universities.

Learning modules:

Learning modules are self-contained instructional units that focus on particular topics, and which students may complete online. Learning modules may be used in online, blended or flipped classes, or may be used as part of the curriculum for a fully online course.

Online modules that will be considered for development or redesign include those that:

Have the potential to be used as learning objects for multiple courses—hybrid or fully online courses; or
Provide learning supports for online students (for example, modules focused on research or writing skills).

Learning modules supported through the Shared Online Course Fund are required to be made available without charge and in an inter-operable format to other publicly-assisted colleges and universities under an appropriate agreement (for example, a Creative Commons license) that allows, at a minimum, use in their own courses. Inter-operability means that these modules must be developed using methodologies and technologies that enable re-use across multiple learning environments (i.e., no learning platform dependencies). Intellectual property rights for modules will remain as outlined through existing institutional agreements applying to their creators.

Appendix A provides additional information on module categories.

The University Online Steering Committee encourages high-quality proposals in all categories of courses and modules. While submissions for introductory or foundational courses will take precedence, there is no notional or required allocation of funding among the categories.

Evaluation of proposals will prioritize assessment of the quality of the proposed course/module. As noted in Appendix E:Evaluation Rubrics – Courses and Modules, the quality of course and module proposals will be most heavily weighted in evaluation.

Evaluation process and criteria

A panel of online learning experts from outside Ontario will assess each development or redesign proposal and determine a score. Please note the following:

Criteria related to creating a high quality learning experience for students will be most heavily weighted in the evaluation process (see Appendix E: Evaluation Rubrics – Courses and Modules).
Collaborative design and/or delivery will be scored highly in evaluation; institutions should provide evidence to support plans for collaboration.
Collaborative course design and/or delivery will be more highly scored than credit transfer arrangements.
More explicit credit transfer plans, or existing approved course equivalencies will be scored more highly than statements of transfer credit intent.
With respect to course modules, proposals for modules that comprise a higher proportion of course content, or content that is applicable across more course subjects, will be scored more highly.
Proposals including a set of modules (more than one) appropriate for a single course are encouraged.
Proposed budgets for modules should be commensurate with the proportion of course content provided.
The university must commit to having the course or module ready for online delivery by the 2015-16 academic year.
The university must commit to offering online courses funded in this round each year for the next 5 years (through to and including the 2019-20 academic year).
Institutions must agree to make learning modules available without charge and in an interoperable format to other publicly-assisted colleges and universities under an appropriate licensing agreement.
All submissions must be approved by the submitting university’s Provost.

If proposals for courses or modules that would be substantively the same are received, only one proposal will be funded (if it meets the criteria of the call).

Tasks and Timeline

Institutions will make two submissions to COU.

The first submission is a Preliminary Statement of Intent (see Appendix B), outlining, for each proposal, the category of the proposal (type of course or module[s]), subject area, level, and other information that is available and may be helpful. This Preliminary Statement of Intent will be posted by COU for review by all universities. The purpose of this step is to help universities find potential partners and avoid potential duplicate submissions. This submission is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Please note that a full proposal (see below) can be submitted whether or not a Preliminary Statement of Intent is received. Preliminary Statements of Intent are due by October 20, 2014.

The second submission is a full proposal – one cover memo listing all courses and/or modules proposed by the submitting university (for collaborative projects, there must be one lead university who submits the proposal) and a separate Statement of Design Intent for each course or module(s). Submissions must be received by November 14, 2014. Funding allocation decisions will be communicated to universities by early 2015. Courses and modules must be available for online delivery by the 2015-16 academic year.

Please note: successful applicants will be required to complete course and financial reporting requirements as established by the Ministry.

Please send completed Preliminary Statements of Intent and Statements of Design Intent to:

Peter Gooch

Senior Director, Policy and Analysis

Council of Ontario Universities

180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1100

Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8

416.979.4328

APPENDIX A: Further Information on Course and Module Categories

Online courses:

Online courses eligible for funding may be:

Courses designed for high enrolments, including introductory or foundational courses;
Courses developed to improve sustainability of a low-enrolment program across more than one institution. These include low-enrolment upper-level, or graduate-level, courses;or
Online courses to facilitate the development of fully online programs.

Courses designed for high enrolments

These courses must be fully online.
Course quality will be most heavily weighted in the evaluation process (see Appendix E: Evaluation Rubrics – Courses and Modules).
Proposals should include articulated strategies for accommodating high enrolment (scalability) while ensuring a quality learning experience.
Collaborative design across universities is not mandatory, but will receive more points in evaluation.
Introductory/foundational course proposals in this category will also be reviewed in light of courses already approved in the first round of online funding to avoid duplications (see Appendix F for list of courses approved in 2013-2014).
Credit transfer arrangements will be scored for funding in this category, including the number of institutions intending to, or those already recognizing credit equivalence (more institutions and more explicit agreements or established equivalencies will earn more points).

Courses developed to improve sustainability of a low-enrolment program across more than one institution. These include low- enrolment upper- level, or graduate-level, courses

To be eligible for funding in this category, two or more universities would present an explicit plan to develop and/or accept an online course for credit across participating universities.
Courses developed in this category would result in a complementary set of courses offered across participating universities to improve their capacity to offer low-enrolment programs.
Course quality will be most heavily weighted in the evaluation process (see Appendix E: Evaluation Rubrics – Courses and Modules).
Shared course design and/or delivery (with 2 or more universities) is not mandatory, but would receive more points in evaluation.

Online courses to facilitate the development of fully online programs

Universities looking to re-develop a traditional or blended program into a fully online program may submit a course development proposal in this category.
Proposals in this category should include a timeline for delivering a fully online program as well as a succinct plan for development and delivery of the overall program that also briefly addresses rationale and demand for a fully online program.
Course quality will be most heavily weighted in the evaluation process (see Appendix E: Evaluation Rubrics – Courses and Modules).
Evidence of credit transfer for courses in this category is encouraged and would strengthen a proposal. Points will be assigned for the number of institutions intending to recognize the course for transfer (more institutions will earn more points).
Collaborative course design through partnerships across different universities or across different programs in the same institution is encouraged.
A funded proposal in this category will commit the university to deliver the program fully online, within the timeline to which the university commits as part of the proposal. There is no limit on the number of courses proposed for development in this category.
Higher points will be awarded to proposals that commit to offer a fully online program in the near future; the sooner the availability, the higher the points.

Learning modules:

Online learning modules that will be considered for development or redesign include those that:

a.Have the potential to be used as learning objects for multiple courses—hybrid or fully online courses; or

b.Provide learning supports for online students (for example, modules focused on research or writing skills).

Online modules that have the potential to be used as learning objects for multiple courses—hybrid or fully online courses.

Proposals may focus on content for introductory or foundational courses, including content for courses that have prerequisites (for example, foundational second year courses).
Content designed for large and/or introductory courses will score higher than other proposals.
Proposals may focus on foundational course content including course topics funded in the first round of the Shared Online Course Fund (2013-2014). These proposals must be accompanied by a rationale justifying duplication.
Proposals for a set of modules are welcomed. A proposed set of modules should show coherence, but should include stand-alone learning objects.

Online modules that provide learning supports for online students (for example, modules focused on research or writing skills).

Proposed modules should be applicable to students at multiple institutions and across multiple programs (rather than relevant only to specific curricula or programs).
Proposals can target students at all learning levels (for example, remedial skills development or advanced skill development).

APPENDIX B: PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF INTENT –
Courses and Modules

This Preliminary Statement of Intent will be posted by COU for review by all universities. The purpose of this step is to help universities find potential partners, and to avoid potential duplicate submissions. This submission is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Full proposals (see Appendix C or D) can be submitted whether or not a statement of intent is received.

Directions:Please complete the following document, ensuring it does not exceed2 pages in length.

Preliminary Statement of Intent Due Date: October 20, 2014

Proposal Type:
___ Course(s) designed for high enrolments, including introductory or foundational courses
___ Course(s) developed to improve sustainability of a low-enrolment program across more than one institution. These include low-enrolment upper-level (or graduate-level) courses
___ Online course(s) to facilitate development of a fully online degree programs
___ Learning module(s)

Institution Contact Information:

Institution:
Contact Name:
Title:
Telephone:
Email:

Proposed Course/Module Title: Please note that this title will be posted on a common website; a link to this document will be provided. Please include the following information:

Course/module title:
Content area or discipline:
Level:

Course/Module Description: Provide a brief description of your proposed course or module.

Please send to Peter Gooch at October 20, 2014.

APPENDIX C: STATEMENT OF DESIGN INTENT – Courses

Submit a separate Statement of Design Intent for each online course development or redesign project. When responding to prompts, be mindful of the evaluation rubric provided in Appendix E and wherever possible provide evidence to support your plans and capabilities. Each Statement of Design Intent must not exceed 10 pages.

Statement of Design Intent Due Date: November 14, 2014

Institution Contact Information

For collaborative proposals, please indicate lead institution and partners

(Lead) Institution:
Contact Name:
Title:
Telephone:
Email:
(Partner) Institution:
Contact Name:
Email:
(Partner) Institution:
Contact Name:
Email:

Course Information – Provide the course title and summarize the intended learning outcomes. Note whether the proposal is to develop a new online course or to redesign an existing online course. Note the level (i.e. 1st year, introductory, general education, upper year, etc.), prerequisites (if any), and credential toward which the course will be counted for credit (note: at the direction of the University Online Steering Committee, courses must be counted towards an undergraduate or graduate degree).

Course Title:
Course Number/Subject:
Course Year Level:
Course Prerequisite (if necessary):
Credential (Undergraduate/Graduate):
Learning Outcomes:

Description of Course Pedagogy – Describe the evidence-based pedagogical foundation of the course and how it plans to make use of best practices in technology-enabled learning. Describe any proposed tools or technology that will be harnessed to facilitate learning.

Enrolment– Provide an estimate or projection of student enrolment. Evidence of demand for this course will strengthen the proposal.

Development Expertise– Identify those individuals who will lead the development (and the delivery if known) of the course. Describe any relevant expertise in both the subject matter and in online pedagogy.

Credit Recognition– List any institutions that have tentatively committed to recognizing the course for credit by 2015-16, pending necessary approvals; and/or provide evidence of existing credit equivalencies granted by other institutions.

Budget– Provide information about budget requirements for the course development or redesign proposal, indicating the allocation of resources across categories of expenditure. Maximum budget per course proposal is $75,000.

As relevant, please complete the following: