In 2006, Piedmont Technical College of Greenwood, SC, decided to partially outsource their instructional design process by partnering with WIDS. Lynn Mack, Associate Dean, Instructional Development and Transfer Coordinator, says it is critical to evaluate what the outsourcing product/service provides for the money—ultimately the college determined it made sense to choose WIDS.
WIDS Software “provides a consistent framework for the development of curriculum documents such as course and program guides, learning plans and assessment tasks,” says Mack. “It provides a systematic process for storing and retrieving curriculum components so customization of a course or program takes place instantly and revisions or updating course material can be accomplished with ease via the linked databases.” Additionally, WIDS Software offers DACUM capabilities, an Analyzer feature that helps with accreditation, a learning activity library, obtainable course outcomes, more structured course delivery and standardization of content. Not only is WIDS Software continuously improved, WIDS as a non-profit organization, offers consulting services and multiple instructional design training workshops – delivered online or face-to-face – to support the use of the Software. So faculty who aren’t experts in instructional design have various ways to learn how to develop quality curriculum.
At Piedmont 40 to 50 percent of all courses are taught by adjunct faculty, according to Mack, and the College is continuously developing new online courses. Using WIDS Software ensures adjuncts teach to the same competencies and standards – so information isn’t lost. Additionally, courses are easily developed for use online.
“As escalating operation costs and demands for accountability in the instructional process rise to the forefront in higher education, wise outsourcing decisions are becoming critical to many colleges and universities,” says Mack. “Choosing to partially outsource the instructional design function of the college could prove, in the long run, to be more beneficial to a college and even more cost effective than managing it fully in-house.”
Lynn Mack, far left, works with educators from her college.