Round 1 Grant Awards - Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Program in Course Redesign

Indiana University - Purdue University at Indianapolis

Introduction to Sociology and English—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 35% 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 Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the completed course planning tool.

Cost Savings

In fall 1998, IUPUI offered Introduction to Sociology in two formats: large sections of approximately 200 students and small sections of approximately 35-45 students. IUPUI's course redesign involves treating multiple sections as one course and combining some, but not all, sections of Introduction to Sociology with Elementary Composition. The course-planning tool displays only the Introduction to Sociology course, since the costs of the Elementary Composition course remain the same. Costs for both large and small sections are shown.

Because the computer-based environment enables greater interaction among faculty and students within a large course environment, IUPUI plans to increase the number of large sections offered and decrease the number of small sections. This change will result in a 20% cost-per-student reduction, for a total cost savings of approximately $34,000. Additional savings are anticipated as a result of an improved student success rate.

[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—Introduction to Sociology

Faculty
	Large Section	Small Section	Adjunct
Annual Salary and Benefits	$49,613	$53,400	$1,631
% devoted to instruction	75%	75%	100%
% devoted to this course	17%	17%	100%
$ devoted to this course	$6,199	$6,672	$1,631

Contact hours for course	40	40	40
Out of class hours	263	194	192
Total hours	303	234	232
Cost per hour	$20	$29	$7

Undergraduate TAs
Cost per hour	$7

Professional Staff	$ per
Position	Hour

Step #2: Determine Instructional Costs of Traditional Course

Instructional Costs of Traditional Sociology Course

	Faculty-Large Section		TAs/GAs		Faculty-Small Section		Adjuncts
	# of Hours	Total Cost	# of Hours	Total Cost	# of Hours	Total Cost	# of Hours	Total Cost
	Hourly rate =	$20	Hourly rate =	$7	Hourly rate =	$29	Hourly rate =	$7
I. Course Preparation

A. Curriculum Development
B. Materials Acquisition
C. Materials Development
1. Lectures/presentations	30	$614			12	$342	12	$84
2. Learning materials/software	45	$921			12	$342	12	$84
3. Diagnostic assessments	6	$123			12	$342	12	$84
4. Assignments	6	$123			12	$342	12	$84
5. Tests/evaluations	18	$378			12	$342	12	$84
Sub-Total	105	$2,148			60	$1,710	60	$422

D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training
1. Orientation	2	$41	4	$28	2	$57	2	$14
2. Staff meetings	2	$41	4	$28	2	$57
3. Attend lectures			35	$245
Sub-Total	4	$82	43	$301	4	$114	2	$14
Total Preparation	109	$2,230	43	$301	64	$1,825	62	$436

II. Course Delivery

A. Instruction
1. Diagnose skill/knowledge	10	$205			10	$285	10	$70
2. Presentation	40	$828			40	$1,140	40	$281
3. Interaction	30	$614	7	$49	10	$285	10	$70
4. Progress monitoring	10	$205			10	$285	10	$70
Sub-Total	90	$1,841	7	$49	70	$1,996	70	$492

B. Evaluation
1. Test proctoring	4	$82	8	$56
2. Tests/evaluation	100	$2,046	62	$434	100	$2,851	100	$711
Sub-Total	104	$2,128	70	$490	100	$2,851	100	$711
Total Delivery	192	$3,928	77	$539	168	$4,847	170	$1,195

Total per section	303	$6,199	120	$840	234	$6,671	232	$1,631
# of sections		4				17		11
# of students per section		200				40		40
TOTAL		$24,798		$3,360		$113,413		$17,941

GRAND TOTAL		$159,511
Total # of students		1,914
Cost per student		$83

Step #3: Determine Instructional Costs of Redesigned Course

Instructional Costs of Redesigned Sociology Course

	Faculty, Large Section		TAs/GAs		Faculty, Small Section		Adjuncts
	# of Hours	Total Cost	# of Hours	Total Cost	# of Hours	Total Cost	# of Hours	Total Cost
	Hourly rate =	$20	Hourly rate =	$7	Hourly rate =	$29	Hourly rate =	$7
I. Course Preparation

A. Curriculum Development
B. Materials Acquisition
C. Materials Development
1. Lectures/presentations	23	$460			9	$259	9	$63
2. Learning materials/software	34	$696			9	$259	9	$63
3. Diagnostic assessments	5	$92			9	$259	9	$63
4. Assignments	5	$92			9	$259	9	$63
5. Tests/evaluations	14	$276			9	$259	9	$63
Sub-Total	79	$1,616			45	$1,297	45	$316

D. Faculty/TA Devmt/Training
1. Orientation	2	$41	4	$28	2	$58	2	$14
2. Staff meetings	2	$41	4	$28	2	$58
3. Attend lectures	2	$41	35	$245	2	$57	1	$7
Sub-Total	6	$123	43	$301	6	$171	3	$23
Total Preparation	85	$1,739	43	$301	53	$1,505	48	$336

II. Course Delivery

A. Instruction
1. Diagnose skill/knowledge	10	$205			10	$285	10	$70
2. Presentation	40	$818			40	$1,140	40	$281
3. Interaction	36	$737	7	$49	12	$342	12	$84
4. Progress monitoring	10	$194			10	$271	10	$67
Sub-Total	96	$1,964	7	$49	72	$2,053	72	$503

B. Evaluation
1. Test proctoring	4	$82	8	$56
2. Tests/evaluation	90	$1,841	14	$98	90	$2,566	90	$633
Sub-Total	94	$1,923	22	$154	90	$2,566	90	$633
Total Delivery	192	$3,928	29	$203	162	$4,619	159	$1,139

TOTAL per section	277	$5,667	72	$504	215	$6,130	210	$1,476
# of sections		6				13		11
# of students per section		200				35		35
TOTAL COST of sections		$34,005		$3,024		$79,685		$16,239

GRAND TOTAL		$132,953
Total # of students