Partnering with Online Program Managers for Distance Education

Dawn M. Gilmore is Academic Director of RMIT Online at RMIT University, Australia, and President of the Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia.Chinh Nguyen is Senior Consultant and Online Programs Manager at Curio as well as Sessional Academic in the Department of Management and Marketing, MBS/Faculty of Business and Economics, at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

• 1. An introduction to online program management (OPM): Evolving approaches by OPM providers and higher education institutions to drive success, innovation, and remain relevant Section One: Lessons learned from long term university-OPM partnerships 2. A Playbook for Success: How codifying ways of working can enable others to onboard and offboard Online Program Managers 3. Building a Successful Partnership: The Case of the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Noodle Section Two: Navigating conflict and criticism within university–OPM partnerships 4. We don’t work that way. Aligning the ways of working between a Higher Education Institution and an OPM provider 5. The OPM Industry from Divergent Perspectives Section Three: University–OPM case studies specific to learning design 6. Successes and failures of Online Program Management in Asia: A case study of faculty experience of the transition to online learning 7. Locating Academic Quality for Online Learning in Higher Education: Perspectives from Learning Design Section Four: Evaluating the capabilities of a university or OPM learning design function 8. Proposing a competency-based tool for assessing the capability of university and OPM learning designers and learning design teams 9. Early Quality Indicators of Performance tool (EQUIP): A tool to evaluate the work of OPM learning design teams and their outputs Section Five: University–OPM case studies specific to faculty teaching 10. Critical reflections of the university faculty experience in OPM partnerships 11. Unbundling the approach to teaching in online Australian higher education Section Six: Future considerations for OPM–university partnerships including innovation and risks 12. Online transnational education (TNE) delivery: A case study of OPM partnership to drive quality and scale in international market 13. The ‘Make or Buy’ Decision for Universities: Negotiating strategic relationships with OPMs

“By necessity or design, higher education institutions (HEIs) are seeking to serve different audiences in different ways. Online distance education is one such way, but it necessitates significant changes in how HEIs operate across a range of functions. The challenge of implementing these fundamental changes at the required pace is one reason why forming partnerships with OPMs, which offer services, capabilities, and experience, has become a common approach. However, partnerships between two very different types of organisations that don’t always ‘speak the same language’ are not straightforward and have led to both successes and failures. The opacity surrounding these partnerships can further complicate things. Therefore, this book is particularly timely and significant, offering valuable illumination for the higher education sector on these partnerships and providing rich, up-to-date insights for those involved in this field.”—Neil Mosley, Director and Online Education Consultant & Analyst, Neil Mosley Consulting“The collective wisdom of academia and industry partners converges here to offer a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic landscape of university-OPM partnerships. This book provides valuable insights into the establishment and management of long-term university-OPM partnerships, grounded in real-world examples, guiding principles, and practical strategies. The chapters powerfully draw on diverse experiences and illuminate the complexities, challenges, risks, benefits, and successes inherent to this type of collaboration. I recommend it as essential reading for those starting on this journey, for those already on the path seeking wider insights, and for those seeking an important roadmap for the future. The emphasis on trust-building, conflict management, and the nuanced exploration of criticisms surrounding for-profit OPMs provides readers with a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities of such collaborations. Close to my heart are the rich case studies and insights of the critical aspects of learning design and faculty engagement. The book is a beacon for educators, administrators, and education industry professionals seeking to navigate the intricate terrain of programme management partnerships. It has a positive and supportive tone, coupled with rigorous academic insights. I consider it a key resource for anyone invested in the future of flexible, outreach, and distance online education.”—Professor Gilly Salmon, PhD., PFHEA., NTF, CEO and Principal Consultant at Education Alchemists Ltd, UK