Case Study: Innovative For-Profit University at Accredicity
Onward Learning Solutions was brought on by the founder of Accredicity, who wanted to create a disruptive model for education. We provided strategic advice and produced the first academic program.
Accredicity Inc.
Problem Statement
My first client was to support an entrepreneur I met in Austin, Texas, at SXSW, a multidisciplinary conference for innovative folk. I was brought on board to act as Chief Product Officer and provide recommendations on strategy while simultaneously building out the first program for commercial launch. I elected to work for him as a contractor in exchange for a nominal monthly payment and an equity stake.
Solution Implemented
We created the university using three innovative pillars to give us a competitive advantage. First, we used a micro-credentialing currency model called “cred” so learners would earn advanced standing in paid programs - for free.
Second, learners who did pay would do so on a subscription model with an automatic cancellation policy. This fee would vary between $30 per year and $300 per month depending on their alumni or active student status, respectively.
Third, we would manage our grading and learner interaction using a “crowdsourcing model,” so each grade and learner interaction would be done by a contractor for a small fee. Our content was created using curated, open-source resources with fun and engaging narrator dialogue designed to make sense of the curated learning materials.
Lastly, I worked with my client to create a comprehensive competency framework for personal and professional skills that our courses would cover.
Results Achieved
Over 18 months, three strategy pivots and three trips to Hawaii, including a full summer - we produced our first program of 16 1.0 credit courses under the Carnegie Credit Model and the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC) guidelines. Our diverse selection of first courses developed using the competency model provided an exciting opportunity for learners to customize their associate programs. I wrote courses in anatomy, nutrition, time management, leadership, innovation and even romantic relationships. Yes...really.
The project was put on the back burner, but for a good reason this time - the founder recently had a baby and already had a full-time job - and therefore, priorities shifted. Expect to hear more from Accredicity in the coming years.
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