WGU Offering Design Patterns - Lifelong Learning

This presentation, titled "WGU Offering Design Patterns," provides an in-depth exploration of the various design frameworks used to structure educational offerings at Western Governors University (WGU). It introduces several key patterns—such as Explorer, Deep Dive, Differentiator, Apprenticeship, and others—that guide the creation of programs tailored to diverse learner needs and industry demands. Each design pattern is discussed in terms of its purpose, target audience, and practical applications, with real-world examples to illustrate how they enhance learning experiences. The presentation emphasizes the flexibility and refinement of these patterns to streamline program design, improve student success, and ensure WGU remains competitive in the evolving landscape of higher education. Through these frameworks, WGU aims to offer adaptable, market-relevant education that supports lifelong learning and career advancement.

1. WGU OFFERING DESIGN PATTERNS 4 September 2024 - 1

2. What are design patterns ? Design patterns are simple and elegant solutions to achieve specific design goals. They help us: Speed time to market by providing a framework for considering the complexities of designing an offering. Reduce miscommunication by providing a common language for talking about WGU offerings. Improve student success by providing a refinable design model that everyone can contribute to. Patterns are not templates; they do not elaborate every detail necessary to create a successful offering. Designs may draw elements from multiple patterns; they are not mutually exclusive or exhaustive. 2 4 September 2024

3. Explorer Gain exposure to a variety of topics. The Explorer pattern introduces learners to a variety of subjects. It is ideal for providing an overview of a field or when a learner may not feel ready to decide on a specialization. Competencies or courses could be drawn from multiple colleges. Examples New Gen Ed single course offerings Master of Business Administration IT Career Essentials 3 4 September 2024

4. Deep Dive Increase proficiency in a single domain. The Deep Dive pattern outlines a learning pathway that increases in difficulty as a learner progresses. Examples Project Management micro-credential Master of Accounting (MAcc) Data Engineering micro-credential 4 4 September 2024

5. Differentiator Stand out from others in the market. The Differentiator pattern trains a learner in a unique, high-demand skill or competency. These offerings may capitalize on trends and hype, making them timely and possibly perishable. They may tend to be smaller, such as micro-credentials or single-course offerings. Learners are less likely to pursue degrees that focus on perishable, buzz-worthy skills. Examples   Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant ESOL or SPED micro-credentials Phlebotomy or Medical Coding certification 5 4 September 2024

6. Certification/ Licensure Prepare for a certification exam. The Certification / Licensure pattern is an opportunity to develop industry knowledge to prepare for or renew industry certification or licensure examination. Examples Cloud Security micro-credential with AWS Certified Associate/Developer certification 6 4 September 2024

7. Continuing Education Remain relevant and continue to excel in career. Some professional associations have formal ongoing training requirements, which is where the Continuing Education pattern comes in. Examples Medical Assistant Career Accelerator Program (MACAP) CPE Courses for Accountings CEU Credits for Nursing PMP continued learning requirements 7 4 September 2024

8. Apprenticeship Learn online, then practice with a verified partner. The Apprenticeship pattern combines online instruction at WGU with practical experience at a partner institution. This pattern would likely occur more with larger offerings, such as macro-credentials and degree-length programs. Examples Student teaching Clinical hours Ethical hacking 8 4 September 2024

9. Portfolio Builder Build highly-sought artifacts to dazzle employers. The Portfolio Builder pattern is designed to help learners create one or more artifacts to show employers in a job application or interview. Examples Front-end web developer micro-credential 9 4 September 2024

10. Custom Tailored to the specific needs of a partner. Meeting with a member of the WGU Professional team, a sponsoring organization may opt to co-design Custom training that is tailored to their business needs. This would require some form of program design. Examples FedEx MBA 10 4 September 2024

11. Explorer Deep Dive Differentiator Apprenticeship Certification / Licensure Continuing Education Portfolio Builder Custom Patterns of Offering Design 11 4 September 2024

12. Subscription Lifelong Learner/True Fan "Make the case – Draw the Map" Inward Transformation The Finisher Friendly Consult Credit Replacement Club Meeting Ideas for Additional Patterns 12 4 September 2024

13. 13 4 September 2024 WGU Offering Design Canvas Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done Portfolio Alignment Investment Decisions What human resources are required to deliver services? Current Service Model Levels: Independent Low Medium High Product Design Scope Audience analysis Product properties Achievement architecture Course Design Assessment design Instructional design Patterns of Instruction What kinds of people want to apply for the targeted jobs and learn the required skills? Economic Increase earning potential Learn job skills Expand career opportunities Educational Further education Learning outcomes Social and emotional learning Democratic Citizenship Personal Meaning Social Capital Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy What non-human resources are required to deliver service? What price makes these products profitable and accessible our customer segments? What will the market bear? Cost Structure Revenue Streams Cost Structure = Service Model (Human Cost) + Tech & Learning Resources (Non-human Cost) Revenue Streams = Customer Segments * Pricing Strategy

14. Explorer Gain exposure to a variety of topics. The Explorer pattern introduces learners to a variety of subjects. It is ideal for providing an overview of a field or when a learner may not feel ready to decide on a specialization. Competencies or courses could be drawn from multiple colleges. Examples New Gen Ed single course offerings Master of Business Administration IT Career Essentials 14 4 September 2024

15. Explorer 15 4 September 2024 Competencies are not necessarily sequenced and may cover a range of subject, aiming at introducing a learner to many topics rather than building depth in one.

16. The Explorer Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done Improve WGU’s ability to orient students within new fields. Independent, low, medium, or high touch Combines multiple, diverse topics with few, if any, prerequisites. Gain exposure to a variety of topics. Likely, the customer is seeking to orient themselves in a new field. Low domain knowledge. Get a better job. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Need to determine what learners found valuable or what impacts were made to salary to add value to this pattern. No pre- reqs for any courses within these offers. Cost Structure Revenue Streams 4 September 2024 16

17. Deep Dive Increase proficiency in a single domain. The Deep Dive pattern outlines a learning pathway that increases in difficulty as a learner progresses. Examples Project Management micro-credential Master of Accounting (MAcc) Data Engineering micro-credential 17 4 September 2024

18. Deep Dive Competencies are sequenced to be progressively more difficult. 18 4 September 2024

19. 19 4 September 2024 The Deep Dive Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done High or medium touch Sequences achievements in a progressively challenging way. Has strong prerequisites. Patterns of Instruction Increase proficiency in a single domain. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Prerequisite content and assessments Cost Structure Revenue Streams

20. Differentiator Stand out from others in the market. The Differentiator pattern trains a learner in a unique, high-demand skill or competency. These offerings may capitalize on trends and hype, making them timely and possibly perishable. They may tend to be smaller, such as micro-credentials or single-course offerings. Learners are less likely to pursue degrees that focus on perishable, buzz-wordy skills. Examples Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Public Accountant ESOL or SPED micro-credentials Phlebotomy or Medical Coding certification 20 4 September 2024

21. Differentiator The offering, when added to a learner’s current qualifications, provides a competitive edge in the job market. 21 4 September 2024

22. 22 4 September 2024 The Differentiator Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done All levels Stand out from others in the market. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Cost Structure Revenue Streams

23. Apprenticeship Learn online, then practice with a verified partner. The Apprenticeship pattern combines online instruction at WGU with practical experience at a partner institution. This pattern would likely occur more with larger offerings, such as macro-credentials and degree-length programs. Examples Student teaching Clinical hours Ethical hacking 23 4 September 2024

24. Apprenticeship Competencies are split between those that can be taught online through WGU and those which can be taught through practice at a verified partner institution. 24 4 September 2024

25. The Apprenticeship Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done High-touch service model, split between WGU (which offers online learning) and a partner institution (which provides practical, applied instruction). Learn online, then practice with a verified partner. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Cost Structure Revenue Streams 4 September 2024 25

26. Certification/ Licensure Prepare for a certification exam. The Certification / Licensure pattern is an opportunity to develop industry knowledge to prepare for or renew industry certification or licensure examination. Examples Cloud Security micro-credential with AWS Certified Associate/Developer certification 26 4 September 2024

27. WGU Competency Competency Competency Competency Competency Certification/Licensure Requirements Requirement Requirement Requirement Requirement Requirement Certification/Licensure Competencies meet requirements for granting continuing education unit credit by appropriate body. 4 September 2024 27

28. The Certification / Licensure Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done Improve offerings in industries that rely on certificates or licensure. Prepare for a certification exam. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Cost Structure Revenue Streams 4 September 2024 28

29. Continuing Education Remain relevant and continue to excel in career. Some professional associations have formal ongoing training requirements, which is where the Continuing Education pattern comes in. Examples Medical Assistant Career Accelerator Program (MACAP) CPE Courses for Accountings CEU Credits for Nursing PMP continued learning requirements 29 4 September 2024

30. Continuing Education Competencies meet requirements for granting continuing education unit credit by appropriate body. 4 September 2024 30

31. The Continuing Education Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done Independent (No touch) Low touch Very short Licensed professionals seeking to keep their credentials current by completing required ongoing training. Businesses wishing to retain their skilled employees by offering professional education. Industry associations desiring to offer high-quality CBE to their members. Remain relevant and continue to excel in career. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Cost Structure Revenue Streams 4 September 2024 31

32. Portfolio Builder Build highly-sought artifacts to dazzle employers. The Portfolio Builder pattern is designed to help learners create one or more artifacts to show employers in a job application or interview. Examples Front-end web developer micro-credential 32 4 September 2024

33. The Portfolio Builder Pattern Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done Aligned closely to Designer/Maker pattern of instruction. Build highly-sought artifacts to dazzle employers. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Ability to create and assess portfolio artifacts. Portfolio tool Cost Structure Revenue Streams 4 September 2024 33

34. Custom Tailored to the specific needs of a partner. Meeting with a member of the WGU Professional team, a sponsoring organization may opt to co-design Custom training that is tailored to their business needs. This would require some form of program design. Examples FedEx MBA 34 4 September 2024

35. Custom Offerings Strategic Priorities Service Model Educational Product Customer Segments Jobs to Be Done The sales and development of custom offerings is a high-touch service model. The service model for delivering custom offerings will depend on the client’s needs. Micro enterprises; < 10 employees. Small enterprises; 10 to 49 employees. Large enterprises; 50 to 249 employees. Tailored to the specific needs of a partner. Tech & Learning Resources Pricing Strategy Integration with Sponsor’s learning systems. Cost Structure Revenue Streams 4 September 2024 35