Program in Course Redesign

University of Dayton

Introductory Psychology—Course Planning Tool

The Course Planning Tool is a formatted spreadsheet that facilitates a three-step process for institutions to establish and compare the instructional costs before redesign (the traditional course) and the instructional costs after the redesign (the redesigned course).

Step #1 shows the calculation of all personnel costs associated with preparing and delivering the course expressed as an hourly rate. Annual salary for faculty listed is the average of all faculty teaching the course and includes a 33% benefits rate. Step #2 uses this initial calculation to determine the cost of preparing and delivering the traditional course. Step #3 calculates these costs for the redesigned course. More specific Course Planning Tool instructions are available.

Below are a summary of the cost savings anticipated at the University of Dayton and the completed course planning tool.

Cost Savings

The University of Dayton's course planning tool depicts the cost of a single section in one term, one of 12 sections taught annually. In the redesign, faculty staffing will be reduced by 50% as section size is doubled. Faculty time will be redirected from presenting content in weekly lectures to working interactively with students. Faculty time for preparation decreases from 114 hours to 77 and instructional hours increase from 37 to 63 with fewer hours designated for presentation (30 hours to 3 hours) but significantly greater interaction time with students (7 hours to 30). In addition TAs will provide an additional 80 hours of interaction time. The only face-to-face class time will occur during orientation, the final exam and at occasional featured presentations. Traditional student "seat time" will decrease by 90%, while the time students spend engaged in active learning will be radically increased. The cost-per-student will decline from $139 to $78, a 44% saving. The university will use the savings to staff upper division courses that it previously could not offer.

[For more detailed information regarding their initial academic redesign, consult the project plan description.]

Step #1: Determine Instructional Costs per Hour

Instructional Costs per Hour—Introductory Psychology

Faculty  
   
Annual Salary and Benefits $72,000
% devoted to instruction 75%
% devoted to this course 17%
$ devoted to this course $9,002
   
Contact hours for course 40
Out of class hours 144
Total hours 184
Cost per hour $49
   
Graduate TAs/Gas  
   
Salary and Benefits  
% devoted to instruction  
% devoted to this course  
$ devoted to this course  
   
Contact hours for this course  
Out of class hours  
Total Hours  
Cost per hour $22
   
Undergraduate TAs  
Cost per hour  
   
Professional/Staff $ per
Positions Hour
   
Office support $15
Student Secretary $8

Step #2: Determine Instructional Costs of Traditional Course

Instructional Costs of Traditional Course—Introductory Psychology

  Faculty   Student Secretary   Office Support  
  # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost
  Hourly rate = $49 Hourly rate = $8 Hourly rate = $15
I. Course Preparation            
             
A. Curriculum Development 12 $588        
B. Materials Acquisition 8 $392 30 $240 42 $630
C. Materials Development 12 $588        
1. Lectures/presentations 20 $980        
2. Learning materials/software 10 $490        
3. Diagnostic Assessments            
4. Assignments 23 $1,127        
5. Tests/evaluations 25 $1,225        
Sub-Total 110 $5,390 30 $240 42 $630
             
D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training            
1. Orientation            
2. Staff meetings 4 $196        
3. Attend lectures            
Sub-Total 4 $196        
Total Preparation 114 $5,586 30 $240 42 $630
             
II. Course Delivery            
             
A. Instruction            
1. Diagnoze skill/knowledge            
2. Presentation 30 $1,470        
3. Interaction 7 $343        
4. Progress Monitoring            
Sub-Total 37 $1,813        
             
B. Evaluation            
1. Test proctoring 3 $147        
2. Tests/evaluation 30 $1,470        
Sub-Total 33 $1,617        
Total Delivery 70 $3,430        
             
TOTAL 184 $9,016 30 $240 42 $630
             
             
             
GRAND TOTAL   $9,886        
Total # of students   71        
Cost per student   $139        

Step #3: Determine Instructional Costs of Redesigned Course

Instructional Costs of Redesigned Course—Introductory Psychology

  Faculty   TAs/GAs/PT Faculty   Office Support  
  # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost # of Hours Total Cost
  Hourly rate = $49 Hourly rate = $22 Hourly rate = $15
I. Course Preparation            
             
A. Curriculum Development 10 $490        
B. Materials Acquisition 6 $294        
C. Materials Development 8 $392     25 $375
1. Lectures/presentations 4 $196        
2. Learning materials/software 15 $735        
3. Diagnostic assessments            
4. Assignments 6 $294        
5. Tests/evaluations 10 $490        
Sub-Total 59 $2,891     25 $375
             
D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training            
1. Orientation 4 $196        
2. Staff meetings 6 $294        
3. Attend lectures 8 $392        
Sub-Total 18 $882        
Total Preparation 77 $3,773     25 $375
             
II. Course Delivery            
             
A. Instruction            
1. Diagnose skill/knowledge 10 $490        
2. Presentation 3 $147        
3. Interaction (on-line/in person) 30 $1,470 80 $1,760    
4. Progress monitoring (on-line) 20 $980 40 $880    
Sub-Total 63 $3,087 120 $2,640    
             
B. Evaluation            
1. Test proctoring     18 $396    
2. Tests/evaluation 30 $1,470        
Sub-Total 30 $1,470 18 $396    
Total Delivery 93 $4,557 138 $3,036    
             
TOTAL 170 $8,330 138 $3,036 25 $375
             
             
             
GRAND TOTAL   $11,741        
Total # of students   150        
Cost per student   $78        

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