Porto's presentation at the Distance Learning Administration conference - May, 2011 - Savannah, GA.

1. Managing online programs:Challenges, opportunities and recommendations Stella C.S. Porto (sporto@umuc.edu)Graduate School of Management & Technology University of Maryland University College

2. Where are you in the landscape ? What is your role as a manager? What kind of organization you work for? Universities, community colleges, k-12, corporate, military, government, non-profit… Centralized vs decentralized Online is mainstream or off-road? What does your students’ profile look like? How about your faculty: full-time, tenured or adjunct?

3. The landscape for online program managers Growth Greater competition More institutions Within the same institution Different groups Larger spectrum of programs and models Issues of quality still in the horizon Scalability and costs Growth in part-time faculty

4. The landscape for online program managers More complex supply chain Specialized services Competition Organizations are more complex Centralization vs decentralization Internationalization, partnerships, etc. DE is the response to government challenges Can it live up to the challenge with quality?

5. The landscape for online program managers Increasing variety of technologies Major shift to user generated content Push for greater accessibility to information Open content & open source The force of mobile technologies

6. Management and leadership have never been so important!

7. Administration & Leadership Instructional design & support Consulting / Researching Teaching IT support Distance Educator A formidable repertoire of skills…

8. A myriad of duties needs assessment market analysis strategic planning fitting technology needs operationalizing ideas resource mobilization introducing online infrastructure policy formulation, training and support for faculty collaborating with partners program evaluation and accreditation mentoring the next generation of leaders

9. Highlights for managers

10. Learn the theories and develop as a practitioner…

11. Learn the theories and develop as a practitioner… In distance education it is still true that… There is a complex balance between Theory & Practice There is confusion between competencies and skills The needs of the market are still blurred Most employers’ are lacking the knowledge to understand the field and hire professionals There is a culture of trial and error

12. Learn the theories and develop as a practitioner…

13. Lead the way… strategically

14. Lead the way… strategically Moving too quickly Reactive mode Need for planning Need for reflection

15. Defining vision, mission, goals and objectives Determining priorities Scanning the landscape trends and issues Tracking emerging and sustainable technologies Assessing available resources and financial needs Lead the way… strategically Leading organizational change

16. Understand your level of influence and explore options How big of a say do I have? Staff development marketing technology budget

17. Understand your level of influence and explore options Limited resources High expectations for growth Multiple and opposing goals Distinct stakeholders Be creative Well-developed personal and communication skills Find support in unexpected places

18. Manage growth versus quality

19. Learn the technology and use it well “Technology is expensive, unpredictable and essential” Risk of dependence on technology Dichotomy between innovation and sustainability Impact on support functions, maintenance and training Dealing with fear

20. Learn the technology and use it well Field changing rapidly with increased demands on the institution There needs to be space for experimentation alongside with strategies for adoption and sustainability As an example, social media can be a catalyst tool… Managers can become catalysts for change

21. Focus on and support community building Increased sense of ownership PR & marketing Support for success Avoid feelings of isolation Tracking professional landscape

23. managers can affect directly many of the outcomes.

24. need for a process of critical self-reflection creative and efficient management strategies on all fronts

25. Thank you… Any questions? Slides can be found at http://www.slideshare.net/sportoFuture questions to sporto@umuc.edu

26. Photo attributions Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/familymwr/4930275692/ (Slide 9) Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosimoes7/1301014184/ (Slide 9) Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/3706662612/ (Slide 9) Photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/3242519210/ (Slide 14) Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/165220972/ (slide 17) Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hinkelstone/2435823037/ (slide 19) Photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/webtreatsetc/4091128553/ (Slide 20)