CBE Technology,Non-Traditional Learning and University System Development Specialist: An Approach to Change

Abstract

Management of change in multi-university systems is difficult, but possible. Though the topic of change has been thoroughly studied, there is still much to be learned from actual attempts to implement multi-university system change. One obvious lesson is a clearer definition of the processes involved in “change” itself. This paper reviews a University of Wisconsin system approach to change in order to focus on interesting developmental techniques for multi-university system improvement. The specific change discussed is translation of existing courses and curricula to an innovative competency approach in order to bring about extended degree opportunities for non-traditional students. Change is operationally defined here as “purposive intervention into articulated congeries of dynamic university systems, in order to achieve appropriate outcomes …” [1]. Correspondingly, it is suggested that the processes of change require a multi-university systemic development strategy. Activities of the University of Wisconsin Extended Degree Program is cited as a working example of the process of systematic development for change in a statewide multi-university system.