During lunch yesterday, I heard an interesting debate, “In
or out?” The question for the debaters, one a college professor heavily invested in online learning, the other a rep from Pearson, was, “Should colleges and universities
design their online courses in-house or out-source design?” In terms of this debate, design included content as well as technology.
Full disclosure: I
had already decided my own answer—I’m definitely an in-house advocate—before I
heard the debate.
Some of the considerations from both sides were cost. The Out-sourcer
claimed it cost institutions too much money to design in-house; the In-houser
claimed it didn’t matter how much it cost. Making the cost of education our
primary motivation always results in poorer education.
Another consideration addressed by both sides was expertise.
The In-houser said we have the expertise, let’s use it. I was shocked when the
Out-sourcer argued that we knew about teaching, not online delivery. We needed
their expertise. I wondered why he thought we were all here?
Here’s the link to a website for Zoom. Education Plan. Notice the cost is pretty reasonable. The service
they offer is pretty extensive. What do you think?
One of the things I wonder as I walk through the vendor room
is this: Should I see these people as someone who wants to assist me by
providing resources that will help me become a better teacher? Or, should I see
these people as someone who wants me to pay them to do my job for me?
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