Where to buy fully developed online courses?

[rrichards]

Greetings Canvas Community!

My institution is looking to purchase 15 university level courses for online delivery. We'll hire the online course instructor - we're just looking for the syllabus + course materials.

How would you tackle this challenge? Any advice on where I should begin?

Thanks

-Ryan

[jlubkinchavez]

Hey Ryan, your questions comes across as very...strange to me. Course are not typically "bought"; they're developed. They aren't "just" a syllabus and course materials--that suggests an approach that is very content-delivery focused (which misses a lot that leads to actually learning, like interaction and feedback). But to get to the core of your question, there are generally two ways to approach this: 1. to hire a curriculum developer to build the courses or 2. (which is probably recommended if you don't have institutional experience building online courses) hire a company that develops online courses (e.g., 2U, Wiley, etc.). Unless you hire someone with content area expertise, you will probably need a subject matter expert (perhaps the person you're going to hire to teach the courses) to consult on content.

[Stef_retired]

 @rrichards , have you explored Canvas Commons‌?

[jdick1]

Just another data point that I've never heard of buying online courses off-the-shelf, but rather hiring a course design firm or contractor to manage the process and develop the content, but that said, I'd also look into open educational resources. In addition to Canvas Commons linked above, OER Commons also has post-secondary content ranging from textbooks to full courses. Other links that might be helpful: 16 OER Sites Every Educator Should Know (Campus Technology), Open Educational Resources (EDUCAUSE). (Note that some OER don't allow for commercial use.)

How quick is your turnaround? When do these courses need to go live?

[bradon_lewis]

You need an OPM...Here is an article that sums it up and will give the names of some organizations to reach out too. 

https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2018/06/04/shakeout-coming-online-program-ma... 

The reality is that your asking a really complicated question and you'll need to figure out a lot of variables before picking just one OPM. But I think this will get you going in the right direction. 

[kim_vincent-lay]

I agree with all the replies. In order to create an impactful learning experience, online courses are not just a generic, packaged course. My advice would explore the Canvas Commons for ideas, but ultimately hire an instructional designer who has the design and learning theory background to create a meaningful learning experience. 🙂

[Jesmsnixon]

I concur with every response. Online courses are not merely a generic, packaged course in order to offer an impactful learning experience. My recommendation would be to look through the Canvas Commons for inspiration, but eventually engage an instructional designer who has the knowledge in design and learning theory to develop an engaging learning environment.

[debra_mansperge]

I would be very careful purchasing pre-built courses.  They need to be built by an experienced instructor with strong content knowledge.  I have experience teaching pre-built classes.  Many times the materials were not appropriate for the courses being taught.  In addition, copyright infringement was rampant.  The designers used content they found on the internet without proper attribution. For online courses, it's especially important to find a designer who will follow the Quality Matters system.

[rrichards]

Thanks for the phenomenal advice, Canvas Community!

We decided to try and find an Online Program Management/Instructional Design company with which to partner. In case useful, here is an initial list of companies I found with a bit of web research:

• 2U, Inc https://2u.com/
• Academic Partnerships https://www.academicpartnerships.com/
• All Campus https://www.allcampus.com/
• ANSRsource https://www.ansrsource.com/
• Apollidon Learning https://apollidon.com/
• Bisk https://www.bisk.com/
• Blackboard https://www.blackboard.com/consulting/learn-training.html
• Cambridge Education Group https://www.cambridgeeducationgroup.com/
• CapEd http://capitaleducation.com/
• Collegis Education https://www.collegiseducation.com/
• Comcourse http://www.comcourse.com/
• Emerge Education http://emergeedu.com/
• Extension Engine https://extensionengine.com/
• Everspring https://www.everspringpartners.com/#cqy
• GetSmarter https://www.getsmarter.com/what-we-do
• Hot Chalk http://www.hotchalk.com/
• Highereducation.com https://www.highereducation.com
• iDesign http://idesignedu.org/
• Keypath Education https://keypathedu.com/
• Laureate Partners https://www.laureate.net/AboutLaureate/Laureate-Partners
• LearningHouse https://www.learninghouse.com/what-we-do/online-program-management/
• Noodle Partners https://www.noodlepartners.com/
• Orbis Education https://orbiseducation.com/
• Pearson Embanet/Prospero https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education.html
• Synergis Education http://www.synergiseducation.com/
• Symbiosis Educational Consultants www.symbiosised.com
• University Ventures http://universityventures.com/about.php
• Wiley Education Services https://edservices.wiley.com/ 

A special thank you to:  @jlubkinchavez , stefaniesanders,  @jdick1 ,  @bradon_lewis , kbv7001,  @debra_mansperge ,  @nichole1 , wadempsay, kirstin.nokes, jeanderson,  @kbink ,  @kstewart1 ,  @tasha 

[blondon]

Hello, Ryan -

My college is also looking for university level courses for online delivery, specifically 10 liberal arts courses. Which company did you wind up going with, and were you pleased with the results?

Thanks!

[Jesmsnixon]

More university-level courses, specifically 10 liberal arts courses, are wanted by my college for online delivery. Which business did you ultimately choose, and how pleased were you with the outcome?

[valentinesking]

Howdy,

We have a team that works with your SMEs to create high quality courses/online programs; not pre-built courses though.

Welcome to FIU Online Continuing and Professional Education 

Sky V.

[LonaLabs]

Hi @rrichards @blondon and @Jesmsnixon,
We might be a good fit for you. Check out LonaLabs.com
We have a mix of low cost, pre-built, and custom development options and have the highest quality around. While we only have a few higher ed courses pre-built, they'll give you a good idea of the level of quality we can provide. We can even guarantee passing QM if that's something you need.

Hope to hear from you soon!

James