Edvocacy's Solutions for Online Professional Development Edvocacy
has entered into an agreement-in-principle with the University of Texas Center for Reading
and Language Arts (UTCRLA). In partnership, Edvocacy and UTCRLA will collaborate to
customize Online Teacher Reading Academy (OTRA) Reading First content, and will provide a
mechanism for distributing OTRA content at no cost to states, districts,
schools, or teachers. In the past, OTRA content has been distributed through a traditional print and/or CD-ROM-based distribution model. Beginning in the fall of 2004, OTRA will also be made available through an interactive internet-based version, managed and delivered entirely online. Previously, OTRA content was primarily a self-paced, self contained course. This newly launched online version will be considerably more interactive; will enhance the overall user experience; will facilitate collaboration with experts and coaches; and will foster a true sense of community amongst participants. A rich user interface will provide a combination of knowledge gates; online quizzes and tests; information shares; opt-in secure chat and/or messaging capabilities; and group activities. The newly updated OTRA experience will be much more like that of alternative, high-cost providers. Although the core components of scientifically-based reading research remain fundamentally unchanged, there is often a need to customize content with state-specific changes and modifications. Customization services will be coordinated through the Edvocacy/UTCRLA partnership, and will combine state-specific expertise with our ability to cost-effectively modify content. These services will run the gamut from document editing to video and audio production. Whether a particular slide needs tweaking or a new introductory video is required, Edvocacy and UTCRLA will provide a cost-effective process for facilitating such changes. Further, in an effort to provide states with a clear understanding of incremental costs associated with customization, an online customization tool will be created and made accessible via the Web, allowing for virtual construction of desired content. Costs and timeframes will be generated automatically, allowing states to utilize "what-if" scenarios to best determine appropriate levels of state- or district-specific OTRA customization. Under the Edvocacy model, state-specific customization is the only cost associated with distribution of OTRA content. Edvocacy will provide ongoing access to, and distribution of, revised content at no cost to the states and districts. This is accomplished through the establishment of corporate sponsorships, grants from various foundations, charitable contributions from individual donors, and ongoing incremental support from Federal and state-level government agencies. States will also have the option of extending the capabilities of their current resources by allowing existing personnel to serve as coaches. These personnel can then train others, creating a locally-based coaching and support network. States will no longer have to hire contract personnel to serve in these roles - a distinct advantage over alternative providers. Traditional delivery methods will continue to be supported by Edvocacy, but revised and/or customized OTRA content will also be accessible directly via the Internet. This will drive economical content delivery, while avoiding and/or eliminating costs associated with print production and distribution, and waste due to obsolescence. In fact, internet-based cost-per-user is significantly below the cost of print or CD-ROM, and has all the advantages of online interaction with experts. Most importantly, content will no longer be static. Any updates to OTRA content-whether driven by customization made by the state or wholesale changes made to the core content generally-can be made available instantly to all users in all locations, at minimal additional or incremental cost. |
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