Program in Course Redesign

The Ohio State University

Introductory Statistical Concepts—Course Planning Tool

The Course Planning Tool is a formatted spreadsheet that facilitates a three-step process for institutions to establish and compare the instructional costs before redesign (the traditional course) and the instructional costs after the redesign (the redesigned course).

Step #1 shows the calculation of all personnel costs associated with preparing and delivering the course expressed as an hourly rate. Annual salary for faculty listed is the average of all faculty teaching the course and includes a 22% benefits rate. Step #2 uses this initial calculation to determine the cost of preparing and delivering the traditional course. Step #3 calculates these costs for the redesigned course. More specific Course Planning Tool instructions are available.

Below are a summary of the cost savings anticipated at Ohio State University and the completed course planning tool.

Cost Savings

In the traditional format, Ohio State University is serving on-campus students as well as students studying independently off-campus. Below two spreadsheets represent the traditional course in the two formats: 1) face-to-face with a lecture-lab component and 2) self-paced or independent study. The third spreadsheet depicts the anticipated redesign. After the redesign, all students will have the same buffet model, offering the variety of learning experiences described in the full project plan.

The savings from the course redesign at Ohio State result from several sources. First there are fewer faculty lecture hours, a decrease from 800 to 320, primarily in the area of preparation. In addition greater assessment and administration is done via technology, allowing the TAs to move to greater interaction with students. OSU anticipates that the modularization of content will permit greater ultimate completions, providing further savings.

Overall, the cost per student declines from a weighted average of $190 to $132, a 31% decrease. With the increased retention, the annual total savings is anticipated to exceed $194,000. These savings will remain in the Statistics Department and be used to decrease the faculty load that, after review of peer institutions, was found to be too high to foster the level of excellence of research desired. In addition, some funds are earmarked for the redesign of business statistics, using a similar model.

[For more detailed information regarding their initial academic redesign, consult the project plan description.]

Step #1: Determine Instructional Costs per Hour

Instructional Costs per Hour—Introductory Statistical Concepts

Faculty Lecturers Coordinator



Salary and Benefits $99,276 $99,276
% devoted to instruction 60% 60%
% devoted to this course 25% 35%
$ devoted to this course $14,891 $20,848



Contact hours for course 30 12
Out of class hours 130 210
Total hours 160 222
Cost per hour $93 $94



TAs/GAs




Salary and Benefits $16,564
% devoted to instruction 75%
% devoted to this course 33%
$ devoted to this course $4,141



Contact hours for course 40
Out of class hours 110
Total hours 150
Cost per hour $28



Professional/Staff $ per
Positions Hour




$32

Step #2A: Determine Instructional Costs of Traditional Course

Instructional Costs of Traditional Lecture/Lab Format Course—Introductory Statistical Concepts


Faculty TAs/GAs Coordinator

# of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost

Hourly rate = $93 Hourly rate = $28 Hourly rate = $94
I. Course Preparation












A. Curriculum Development 25 $2,325

10 $940
B. Materials Acquisition





C. Materials Development





1. Lectures/presentations 300 $27,900 400 $11,200 2 $188
2. Learning materials/software 25 $2,325 6 $168 20 $1,880
3. Diagnostic assessments




$62
4. Assignments 10 $930

10 $940
5. Tests/evaluations 10 $930

15 $1,410
Sub-Total 370 $34,435 406 $11,368 57 $5,358







D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training





1. Orientation

100 $2,800 9 $846
2. Staff meetings 50 $4,650 157 $4,396 18 $1,692
3. Attend lectures

53 $1,484

Sub-Total 50 $4,650 310 $8,680 27 $2,538
Total Preparation 420 $39,060 716 $20,048 84 $7,896







II. Course Delivery












A. Instruction





1. Diagnose skill/knowledge





2. Presentation 150 $13,950 600 $16,800 5 $470
3. Interaction 100 $9,300 500 $14,000 5 $470
4. Progress monitoring 50 $4,650 40 $1,120 5 $470
Sub-Total 300 $27,900 1140 $31,920 15 $1,410







B. Evaluation





1. Test proctoring 20 $1,860 47 $1,316 3 $282
2. Tests/evaluation 60 $5,580 472 $13,216 9 $846
Sub-Total 80 $7,440 519 $14,532 12 $1,128
Total Delivery 380 $35,340 1659 $46,452 27 $2,538







TOTAL 800 $74,400 2375 $66,500 111 $3,999







GRAND TOTAL
$151,334



Total # of students
750



Cost per student
$202



Step #2B: Determine Instructional Costs of Traditional Course

Instructional Costs of Traditional Self-Paced Format Course—Introductory Statistical Concepts


Coordinator TAs/GAs

# of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost

Hourly rate = $94 Hourly rate = $28
I. Course Preparation








A. Curriculum Development 10 $940

B. Materials Acquisition



C. Materials Development



1. Lectures/presentations 2 $188

2. Learning materials/software 20 $1,880 2 $56
3. Diagnostic assessments



4. Assignments 10 $940

5. Tests/evaluations 10 $940

Sub-Total 52 $4,888 2 $56





D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training



1. Orientation 1 $94 20 $560
2. Staff meetings 2 $188 23 $644
3. Attend lectures

10 $280
Sub-Total 3 $282 53 $1,484
Total Preparation 55 $5,170 55 $1,540





II. Course Delivery








A. Instruction



1. Diagnose skill/knowledge



2. Presentation 12 $1,128

3. Interaction 35 $3,290 100 $2,800
4. Progress monitoring 5 $470 10 $280
Sub-Total 52 $4,888 110 $3,080





B. Evaluation



1. Test proctoring 1 $94 105 $2,940
2. Tests/evaluation 3 $282 55 $1,540
Sub-Total 4 $376 160 $4,480
Total Delivery 56 $5,264 270 $7,560





TOTAL 111 $10,434 325 $9,100





GRAND TOTAL
$19,534

Total # of students
150

Cost per student
$130

Step 3: Determine Instructional Costs of the Redesigned Course

Instructional Costs of Redesigned Course—Introductory Statistical Concepts


Faculty TAs/GAs Coordinator Staff

# of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost

Hourly rate = $93 Hourly rate = $28 Hourly rate = $94 Hourly rate = $32
I. Course Preparation
















A. Curriculum Development 10 $930

20 $1,880

B. Materials Acquisition







C. Materials Development







1. Lectures/presentations 120 $11,160 360 $10,080 30 $2,820 150 $4,800
2. Learning materials/software 9 $837





3. Diagnostic assessments 4 $372

5 $470

4. Assignments 4 $370

16 $1,504

5. Tests/evaluations 4 $370

25 $2,350

Sub-Total 151 $14,043 360 $10,080 116 $10,904 150 $4,800









D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training







1. Orientation 10 $930 120 $3,360 10 $940

2. Staff meetings 20 $1,860 160 $4,480 20 $1,880

3. Attend lectures







Sub-Total 30 $2,790 280 $7,840 30 $2,820

Total Preparation 181 $16,833 640 $17,902 146 $13,724 150 $4,800









II. Course Delivery
















A. Instruction







1. Diagnose skill/knowledge 10 $930 100 $2,800 5 $470

2. Presentation 60 $5,580 690 $19,320 10 $940

3. Interaction 40 $3,720 480 $13,440 20 $1,880

4. Progress monitoring 5 $465 15 $420 5 $470

Sub-Total 115 $10,695 1285 $35,980 40 $3,760










B. Evaluation







1. Test proctoring 6 $558 100 $2,800 4 $124

2. Tests/evaluation 18 $1,674 300 $8,400 10 $940

Sub-Total 24 $2,232 400 $11,200 14 $1,316

Total Delivery 139 $12,927 1685 $47,180 54 $5,076










TOTAL 320 $29,760 2325 $65,100 200 $18,800 150 $4,800









GRAND TOTAL
$118,460





Total # of students
900





Cost per student
$132





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