It is my EVA recommendation that Canadian institutions consider partnerships with Outlier. While the financial implications of increased revenue are not obvious, there is a clear growth of online learning within Canada. Additionally, while online learning is a growing industry within institutions, there is a lack of the type of digital content that Outlier provides, and it is unlikely that institutions could replicate this type of content without significant investment. Finally, Outlier has proved to output grade levels that surpass the United States national average, a sign that the content is resonating with learners.
While my EVA recommendation is that institutions consider a partnership with Outlier, I would encourage the same approach as utilised by UBJ: a trial period. This would allow the partnering institutions to first determine if Outlier courses - perhaps even only a handful - are viable revenue generators, and measure some of the resistances that are possible (faculty opposition, credit alignment within existing courses, etc.)
Given that Outlier currently has no partnerships in Canada, but is actively looking to establish these partnerships, the first institution within Canada to partner with Outlier will likely benefit from a more flexible, valuable partnership agreement than those who may come after them, and the direct interest of any current Canadian students that are looking to learn with Outlier. This early market scenario offers additional benefits for those institutions looking to partner, and could be the deciding factor for a partnership.
While my EVA recommendation is that institutions consider a partnership with Outlier, I would encourage the same approach as utilised by UBJ: a trial period. This would allow the partnering institutions to first determine if Outlier courses - perhaps even only a handful - are viable revenue generators, and measure some of the resistances that are possible (faculty opposition, credit alignment within existing courses, etc.)
Given that Outlier currently has no partnerships in Canada, but is actively looking to establish these partnerships, the first institution within Canada to partner with Outlier will likely benefit from a more flexible, valuable partnership agreement than those who may come after them, and the direct interest of any current Canadian students that are looking to learn with Outlier. This early market scenario offers additional benefits for those institutions looking to partner, and could be the deciding factor for a partnership.