Request for Expressions of Interest

Transcription

1 Request for Expressions of Interest Distance Education Instructional Design Expert I. Introduction. The Global Business School Network (GBSN) is an international non- profit that promotes management education as an important element of international development. Established in 2003, GBSN tackles the developing world's severe shortage of management talent by building local management education capacity with programs, networking and events. GBSN's programs match their international network of top business schools with colleagues in the developing world for cross- cultural knowledge exchange and collaboration. IPM Business School IPM Business School, started in 1993 is based in based in Minsk, Belarus. The school offers an Executive MBA program, along with a suite of short and long- term courses based in Minsk, Belarus. The mission of IPM Business School is to increase economic and financial competitiveness of the country through educational support to companies and households. IPM s main objective is to organize trainings for managers, enterprises specialists, consultants and individuals working in the field of economics and management. IPM is seeking to build a distance education program to allow for some of their courses to be taught online and via telepresence allowing individuals around the country to access the school s short and long courses. This consultancy engagement is part of a larger United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program that supports a portfolio of civil society- led initiatives including legal clinics, community development, and business education. Part of the program includes strengthening the distance education programs of IPM Business School to provide high- quality business education services to professionals in Belarus and introducing new distance education technologies into teaching practice. IPM Business School has already developed a four- course certificate program delivered online, titled Professional Manager. IPM aims to introduce new course content to its distance learning portfolio, making additional content available to the market of 70% of all Belarussian private companies who are located outside the capital of Minsk. IPM Business School expects to provide distance learning programs specifically aimed at regional businesses needs. II. Engagement Overview GBSN seeks one expert with a strong background in distance education, especially in converting traditional in- person courses into courses that can be taught online or with telepresence equipment.

2 The Distance Education Instructional Design Expert will: lead and implement in Minsk, Belarus a one- day in- person workshop introducing best practices and trends in distance education for IPM tutors and faculty (Workshop 1.1) lead and implement in Minsk, Belarus a three- day in- person How to Develop an Online Course workshop for IPM faculty already involved in online course development (Workshop 1.2) be available to answer ad hoc questions and general support to IPM as they role out their new distance education program. Workshops The consultant will develop and lead two consecutive workshops in Minsk, Belarus. The workshops are to be delivered over a four- day period. Workshop 1.1: Introduction to Online Courses is a one- day workshop and is aimed at a combined audience of experienced online course developers as well as recently- engaged tutors from regions outside of Minsk who have limited experience in delivering online or blended educational offerings. The target workshop audience includes an estimated four IPM faculty who will be developing new online courses in subsequent months and up to twenty- five (25) tutors who will be supporting the teaching of the courses. Tutors will be identified and brought in from regional cities. Workshop 1.1 should provide an overview of most current best practices and approaches in business school distance learning, using both online and telepresence examples; and identify and share the challenges and constraints to distance learning courses and how schools overcome these. The Distance Learning Instructional Design Expert Consultant will share his/her insights about recent developments and best practices in distance learning, and will involve participants in a lively dialogue about their own knowledge and experience. Workshop 1.2 How to Develop an Online Course is a three- day workshop in Minsk, Belarus. This workshop is to be a highly participatory event designed to facilitate the understanding of the principles of Distance Learning systems strengthening and how the application of a Distance Learning systems can lead to sustainable improvements in access to management education. The target workshop audience includes an estimated four IPM faculty who will be developing online courses in subsequent months and up to fifteen (15) tutors who will be supporting the teaching of the courses. Tutors will be selected from larger group of tutors attending Workshop 1.1. Participants will leave Workshop 1.2 with in- depth knowledge of distance learning, its application and a clear understanding of how to convert their current traditional courses into new Distance Learning offerings. The overarching objectives of How to Develop an Online Course workshop are to:

3 (1) Introduce the most current best practices and approaches in business school distance learning to participants, using both online and telepresence examples; (2) Identify and share the challenges and constraints to distance learning courses and how schools overcome these; (3) Identify the key differences and similarities in developing a traditional course as compared to a distance education course, and what new and innovative tools they have access to (i.e. video, webinars, powerpoint, online quizzes, survey tools, chat rooms, etc.); (4) Review how best to prepare and utilize regional tutors to facilitate courses in the different regions and approaches for how they can work with IPM s distance education students; (5) Prepare four IPM faculty to lead the course development of the proposed distance education programs (Marketing, Sales, Logistics and Professional Manager) (Note: This workshop will focus only on distance learning course development and not distance teaching. Later workshops will be carried out under a different consultancy on how to teach the courses that IPM develops.) III. Consultant Activities GBSN is seeking an experienced training design expert who will lead and implement the design and delivery of the How to Develop an Online Course workshop. Consultant Scope of Work Based on the initial assessment of training design needs, the contractor shall: Collaborate closely with IPM faculty member to design a one- day workshop (Workshop 1.1) that will provide IPM faculty and tutors with an overview of the topic and current best practices. Collaborate closely with IPM faculty member to design a three- day workshop (Workshop 1.2) that will help IPM convert their traditionally taught offerings into distance learning format; Lead and deliver the workshops in Minsk, Belarus to the identified faculty and tutors; Provide ongoing feedback, comments and guidance to IPM workshop participants (via , phone/skype) based on their application of the training to development of their own courses; Collaborate with IPM s Executive MBA program director to provide feedback to workshop participants;

4 Develop and deliver a short Narrative Summary Report of the two workshops Distribute a brief workshop evaluation tool to participants IV. Location, Timing and Level of Effort Workshop location: IPM Belarus, Minsk, Belarus Workshop dates: To be determined, Winter 2014 preferred Level of Effort: 12 Days days total o 4 days are budgeted for workshop preparation o 4 days are budgeted for workshop delivery in Minsk o 1 day is budgeted for advising and serving as a subject matter expert in discussions with Tutors and technical course designers during Minsk visit o 3 days are budgeted for ongoing remote support and advice to workshop participants as they later build their distance learning offerings V. Deliverables required from the Distance Learning Instructional Design Expert Consultant Language for instruction, instructional materials and reports is English. 1. Instructional materials 2. Workshop Agendas 3. Summary report a. lists of participants of the workshops, agendas of the workshops, b. copies of presentations c. copies of instructional materials d. workshop photos, expert comments e. copies of workshop evaluations VI. Required Skills and Experience Required skills and experience include, but are not limited to: Proven track record in developing and delivering distance learning programs in business education; Experience in building regionally distributed networks of instructors for blended- learning programs; Experience in strengthening a team of business educators that can both prepare and deliver distance learning courses.

5 VII. Submission of Expressions of Interest Please provide a brief summary of credentials, including academic and professional background, knowledge of and experience in delivery of advisory and training services in subject area, as well as skills and experience per point VI. Please indicate list the proposed daily or hourly fees requested for providing the requested Scope of Work. Note that this opportunity is USAID- funded and daily rate ceilings apply accordingly. Please send Expression of Interest to: dwhite@gbsn.org