Committed to Excellence in Online Education The Babb Group, Inc., established in 2005, is an online education services company helping educators and universities achieve success in the distance education market. We began helping educators find jobs that are a good fit for their expertise and interests. In 2012, we expanded into educational services for universities. To complete the model of high quality educational solutions, The Babb Group offers options for schools, colleges and universities including: Recruiting qualified candidates, Training candidates on teaching in the online environment, Teaching faculty best practices and advanced training in topics such as new ways students are plagiarizing, rubric development and assessment, Developing curriculum from a single course to an entire program, Outsourced career services from industry professionals with experience and advanced degrees, Social media campaigns to help you recruit new students, Professor Outplacement Services, Keyword studies for search engine optimization of course titles, Lectern to Laptop Series of Courses: A four-module course that is fully customizable for traditional faculty to learn to teach online. The team available to our clients includes project managers, research professors, university administrators with experience to teach faculty, statisticians, writers and editors, a large pool of pre-qualified subject matter experts and career advisers or counselors. We invite you to take a look at our services available to educational institutions. A look at each of our services follows. Committed to your success, 866.500.9101 www.thebabbgroup.com 2549B Eastbluff Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 Dani Babb, PhD, MBA CEO & Founder dbabb@thebabbgroup.com
Curriculum Design or Review Online universities are adapting to constant change and government mandates coupled with its need for increased growth. This is usually accomplished by providing programs that are aggressive or proactive in the marketplace, filling a local niche, or working directly with companies to offer courses and services to their employees that help students become employed in strong paying jobs after graduation. Many institutions simply do not have the resources to seek out new courses or areas of specialization that would allow them to be a new entrant in the marketplace, rather than playing catch-up to other schools that realized the opportunity first. We work with schools with online programs to help recognize this niche, and on-ground traditional institutions to create an online presence including hiring faculty, creating programs and bringing them to market. We have many options available to colleges and universities looking to expand. Our market researchers and statisticians can advise on potential new market segments, help identify the potential reach for such markets, identify trends in possible new programs while they are still emerging, assess the interest level among students and the workforce, and put together courses or programs and areas of specialization to expand your program offerings. Options are available based on scope, budget, in-house capabilities of each university and project management needs. We have managed the development of one specific class, to creating completely new programs that were market researched and tested. We work with our own subject matter experts, or yours. We can provide instructional designers, or work in tandem with your team. 866.500.9101 www.thebabbgroup.com 2549B Eastbluff Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660
Curriculum Educational Solutions, Course and Program Development Every program can be customized to your needs. We offer the ability for schools to own intellectual property rights to programs and curriculum. We sign non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements and do not share information between universities, colleges or schools. We can expedite any process or project as a custom modification to pre-proposed plans. We work with our core group of subject matter experts who sign confidentiality agreements with our business. From single course identification projects to full-scale program design projects, we have the team in place to help with your next curriculum need. Course or Program Overview and Mapping Standard Professional Complete Create and document overview of new course Create Course Title Create Course Objectives Create Course Overview Create and document Program Overview Curriculum Map Courses to Programs or Specializations Subject Matter Identification Standard Professional Complete Identify Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) Interview and hand select SMEs Train SMEs on school specific platforms Create Template for Course Materials Create Content for Course from School Template Project Management Standard Professional Complete Create Course Overview and SME Identification Release Project to University for Completion Manage Course Development Progress and Release Completed Course or Program to University Market Analysis for Course or Program Standard Professional Complete Conduct First Hand Market Research on Potential Reach of New Courses or Programs Help Schools and Universities Find New Areas of Specialization for Competitive Advantage Identify Potential Groups and Methods to Market New Programs or Courses Conduct Analysis to Identify Competitors Cost Per Course $3,500 $7,000 $10,000 Intellectual property rights can be obtained for $1500 per course.
Curriculum Educational Solutions, Faculty Recruitment and Training The Babb Group works with over 6000 educators and subject matter experts in subjects including: Health Sciences History Humanities Social Sciences Liberal Arts Psychology Business, Management and Leadership Technology Law, Homeland Security and Criminal Justice Education and Instructional Technology And more We have experience creating new programs, finding and mentoring new faculty to work with online students, and training faculty on learning management systems and best practices. You define the criteria for your faculty. 18 graduate hours in a subject? 10 years of professional experience? Terminal degree? We use your criteria to find you the best candidates. Whether you simply want CVs of interested candidates forwarded or want full scale recruiting and qualification assessment, we will tailor our solution to your requirements. We offer the choice of working with your Human Resources department and administration each step of the way, or you can contract with us to complete a project and we will deliver you quality pre-screened and interviewed candidates, fully trained if you choose. 866.500.9101 www.thebabbgroup.com 2549B Eastbluff Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660
Professor Outplacement Services Downsizing, rightsizing or layoffs significantly impact faculty and students. The negativity in social media forums with respect to how these situations are handled causes concern, and can be a publicity nightmare you may not even be aware of. We have seen it countless times: professors take to the online forums to vent how a layoff was handled, and potential and current students at the school reply with concerns. Your faculty have given their best to your school, but sometimes tough business decisions have to be made. You owe it to your team to offer them the best outplacement services to find replacement jobs. As a full service job solutions provider to professors, we work with universities to help faculty outplaced by layoffs or downsizing. We offer three different packages available at an institutional level for your employees or adjunct faculty: Our tier 1 service offers a curriculum vita review and job leads for six months to your professors, along with access to our networking group. Our tier 2 service offers curriculum vita writing, job leads for six months and access to our hyper-networking exclusiveedu group, offering your professors more support and additional help finding new jobs. Our tier 3 service offers curriculum vita and cover letter writing, job leads for six months, access to our hyper-networking exclusiveedu group, and job application services for three months. We offer volume rates based on the number of professors you sign up. We are also available on a one-off basis as needed. 866.500.9101 www.thebabbgroup.com 2549B Eastbluff Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660
Career Services Schools have always wanted to ensure student success after graduation. Now, regulation has increased the need for universities to provide the best career services possible to students even more. No single career services representative can be an expert in every field. We bring the best subject matter experts with real life experience in their field to advise students in their career at any point in their program and after graduation, allowing you to outsource your entire career services center or augment your existing solution. We offer basic solutions that include only simple advice and communication through to content rich solutions including access to Babb Academy and videos from Subject Matter Experts in each field, along with a University-branded landing page in our learning management system. We can custom create a solution just for your college or school and likely save you money while providing a better service for your students. We use an online scheduling system that allows students to schedule time with their career counselor through Facebook, your website, our website, email, phone or any combination you choose. Our career services model for online institutions provides: Students with advice from a specialist working in their field, Automated reminders of scheduled times for appointments, Direct contact with their favorite representative, Automated scheduling through social media and web sites, Options for communication (email, phone, Skype, FaceTime, Twitter, etc). Reporting as often as you choose. 866.500.9101 www.thebabbgroup.com 2549B Eastbluff Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660
Career Services Options and Pricing We find schools that choose our solutions with practitioners in the field of study they offer programs in pay less than they would for one or two full time staff members who are likely not experts in every area. Students get a better solution with fewer costs. Schools pay based on the number of students enrolled in the career services program. Flexibility and No Hidden Fees We have no fees for calling out, and can use your school dial-out or our own. We have a fully supported Adobe Connect account, or we can use yours. We can use your school phone number for dial-out when given access, or we can use ours. Students can book through your web site, our web site or Facebook. Students can stay in the program as long as you choose. If you would like graduates to have access to services after degree completion, you have the option of keeping them in the program. We can augment your existing career center, or provide a fully outsourced solution. A custom package can be created just for your university with the options below. Pick and select what matters most to you. Options Package 1 Package 2 Package 3 Online Scheduling through School Website Online Scheduling through Babb Group Website (Option) Max 3 Business Day Email & Phone Response Time Student History Report Email and Phone Access to Counselors for Students Support for chat through FaceTime, Skype, Adobe Online Scheduling Through School Facebook Page 1 Business Day Email & Phone Response Time Access to Resume Templates Student Access to Career Courses on Babb Academy Student Access to Writing, APA & Math Courses on Babb Academy Social Media Option: Moderated Group Discussion for Students in the same area of discipline to chat with their counselors and other students for advice and encouragement Cost Per Year Per Enrolled Student $45 $55 $75
Lectern to Laptop Series: Helping Instructors Navigate from Traditional to Online Education The Lectern to Laptop series of courses has been developed and is taught by subject matter experts and seasoned professors. They have collaborated to bring their expertise as traditional, online, and hybrid instructors to assist professors in developing their proficiency in the distance education model. From the first introductory course, Preparing for Excellence: Transitioning to Online Learning, to our more advanced courses and special training, the series will help educators achieve excellence in online teaching as they master the move from lectern to laptop. Individual courses can be customized based on university needs. Making the Virtual Transition Mastering Online Teaching Advanced Principles in Online Education Instructor Preparedness & Attitude Towards Online Education Babson Survey Research Group reports a strong positive correlation in educators and administrators between exposure to online education and a positive attitude about it. Professors who are teaching online and blended courses hold the most favorable view of online education, and those with no experience online are more likely to express fear than faculty with experience. Faculty Who Feel Their Institution Has Good Tools In Place to Assess Quality of Online Instruction 7% Strongly Agree 76% 17% Agree Other It is vital for institutions to prepare faculty for their role as online educators.
Course One in the Series Preparing for Excellence: Transitioning to Online Learning Postsecondary educators entering online education will investigate the similarities and differences between teaching online and on-ground, learn how to inspire sophisticated learning from students in the online classroom, and acquire a strong working knowledge of the skills highly correlated with excellence in online learning. Topics covered include engagement and assessment strategies, collaboration tools, and techniques for effective time management in online education. Unit Descriptions Unit 1: Introducing Online Education Taught by: Dr. Andrew N. Carpenter This unit is an investigation of key similarities and differences between the online and traditional "brick-and-mortar" teaching modalities. Many faculty are surprised -- and pleased -- to learn that there are many similarities between teaching within the two modalities; a key theme of this unit is that a passionate commitment to academic quality and integrity is the key to teaching excellence in both modalities. After completing this unit, participants will be able to: Identify what it is like to teach online. Discuss the key steps for preparing to teach online. Discuss ways that teaching online is similar to traditional teaching. Discuss the most important differences between online and traditional teaching. Identify the best research published on the efficacy of online education. Apply to their own disciplines key characteristics of effective online learning. Relate the characteristics of excellent online teachers to their own pedagogical voices, preferences, and styles. Unit 2: Engagement and Assessment Strategies for Online Courses Taught by: Dr. Julia Teahan. This unit explores strategies for engagement and assessment that can be utilized to optimize content delivery and achievement of learning outcomes. Integration of appropriate levels of Bloom s taxonomy, varied assessments, and meaningful engagement into online delivery will be examined. Faculty will learn how to effectively deliver content through numerous assessment strategies and create and facilitate Socratic discussions. After completing this unit, participants will be able to: Explain how principles of pedagogy and andragogy are applied in the online learning environment. Differentiate formative and summative assessment strategies. Develop online course learning outcomes that span the appropriate levels of the Knowledge and Cognitive Process Dimensions of Bloom s Taxonomy. Generate an online course map that matches discussions, assignments, and assessments to course and/or program learning outcomes. Create and facilitate Socratic discussions. Integrate a variety of assessment strategies into courses, including labs, simulation models, quizzes, exams, case studies, debates, role-playing, games, team projects, multimedia presentations, and production of competency-based deliverables. Evaluate effectiveness of content delivery through collection of assessment data.
Unit 3: Tools You Can Use in the Online Environment Taught by Dr. Nicole Runyon The prospect of teaching online can be daunting but it doesn t need to be. In most cases, the tools that instructors use in the on-ground classroom have a matching tool that can be used in the online classroom. These tools can be found both within the learning management system (LMS) and outside of the LMS and they help maximize learning in the online classroom. Online instructors have the ability to guide students and help them acquire knowledge just as they would in a traditional classroom. In the online classroom, this can be as basic as having a dialogue or as complex as working with simulations. This unit will help to build an instructor toolbox to maximize teaching effectiveness and, subsequently, student learning. After completing this unit, participants will be able to: Develop a solid understanding of how to maximize the use of the different formal and informal learning management tools. Identify online tools that correspond and support what an instructor has used in the traditional classroom. Build a toolbox of resources that will maximize learning for the student. Identify tools that optimize instructor organizational skills. Evaluate and select the tools based on the need, recognizing that not all tools are created equally. Unit 4: Time Management How to Get It All Done Taught by Dr. Nicole Runyon Time management for an instructor is a critical element to student success in the online classroom. Students need timely feedback and regular interaction with their online educator. This unit offers guidance on adapting to the daily requirements of online learning. In an on-ground class, instructors are likely active 1-2 times a week in a classroom while spending office hours writing and preparing lectures, grading assignments and meeting with students. This dynamic changes in the online classroom. There is a shift to daily interaction with students and an approach that means that course materials are typically created well in advance of the term beginning. This unit will focus on the value of a having a proactive approach in the classroom to quality, effective courseroom management and student engagement. After completing this unit, participants will be able to: Develop a plan that allows instructors to shift from a traditional lecture mode to an interactive and dynamic teaching mode. Identify ways to make the most of the time an instructor spends in the classroom. Generate an understanding of the need for course preparation. Identify tools that allow instructors to spend less time navigating and more time teaching. Design/teach a course in an accelerated format compressing 16 weeks on ground into 8 weeks online without losing content. Discuss the importance of presence in the classroom. Identify tools and methods that can help to make the most of instructor time including the use of macros, copy/paste functions, rubrics, and creating a library of materials that can be used across multiple classrooms. Evaluate the value and benefit of a proactive approach to classroom management and student engagement.
Other Courses in the Series Rubrics in the Online Classroom Formative Feedback Boosting Participation in Discussions Empowering Activities for Learners Building Critical Thinking Tools Creating a Course in an Online Environment Converting to Online: How to take your class and put it into an online format Video and Multimedia Lecture Integration in the Online Class Grading in the Digital Age Engaging first-year students online Online Discussions That Make a Difference and Boost Participation Plagiarism: Writing Plagiarism-Proof Assignments and Detection Tools Teaching to Write Online Transformative Teaching Online Advanced Engagement Techniques Advanced Assessment Techniques Advanced Course Design Techniques Advanced Strategies to Promote Critical Thinking Requiring research beyond using "The Google" Embracing APA Design of Competency-Based Deliverables: A Win-Win paradigm Effective Design and Management of Group Projects in the Online Environment Measuring and Meeting Student Engagement Hour Requirements Customization and Faculty Readiness Assessment Courses in our Lectern to Laptop series can be customized. Universities can modify courses, add units, change topics covered, or include school-specific requirements in curriculum. Reporting on faculty readiness assessment to teach in the online environment will be available upon request. Pricing to be determined by university needs and includes an on-site training option. More information on this specific program is available.