What is outsourcing?

An outsourcing agreement usually allows the provider company (the outsourcer) to supply a customer with services or processes that the customer is currently supplying internally.

What does it cost to have cristalla.com develop my online learning courses?  

In developing effective online learning solutions, one size does not fit all. We review each need individually and present you with a cost estimate.

What is the difference between having cristalla.com develop my web-based online learning materials, and doing it myself with one of the template-based software packages?  

Doing it yourself can be very time consuming. Time is money. We can take on all the development tasks.

Using template-based software, you have to wait for a new version to be released to get improvements. The cristalla.com space is regularly improved - frequently based on users' requests.

Can I submit my materials online to cristalla.com for adaptation to web pages?

Yes. For more information contact: partners@cristalla.com  or call us at 301 530 2218 and we will be glad to discuss you needs without obligation.

After cristalla.com has adapted my materials and put it on the Web, can I access it directly to make changes?  

This is currently being added. You will be able to change your content, add new materials, news updates etc. We are currently testing the prototype system. Watch for announcements on our Portal Page (Developers) and in our e-mail Newsletter.

Issues to Consider in Deciding Whether to Outsource Distance Learning Development and Delivery

The "application service provider" model has grown, although not without problems, over the last few years. Many organizations have recognized the cost and convenience benefits of outsourcing key services. Online, or distance, education and training may also be developed and delivered in-house or outsourced.

Benefits of outsourcing include:

  • Rapid deployment - no need to wait to buy the next software upgrade

  • No software ownership results in substantial reduction in software management tasks and related costs

  • Allows faculty or training staff to focus on the development of content, and not be distracted by having to learn new authoring systems

  • Access to learner support services created (as in cristalla.com) for all users

  • Custom branding of content

You should consider outsourcing if:

  • Your needs are small or infrequent, and do not justify investment in an in-house system

  • You are undecided about investing in online learning, and want to test it out (we can develop, and you run on your server or we can run on ours)

  • You have existing electronic or printed content, but not in a web-deliverable format.

  • You don't want to end up with a "textbook on the web" but want benefit from the experience of the outsourcing provider in working with other organizations in creating an integrated, interactive, learning experience 

  • You need training for facilitators

For colleges for example, it makes more sense to allow faculty to spend their time on what they do well; teach and prepare course materials. If a faculty member writes a book, they don't usually print, bind, and sell it themselves. So why do the equivalent for online learning?

Other outsourcing questions to consider include:

  • Have you calculated the total, real, costs of setting up an in-house distance learning system? 

For example see: Is Distance Learning Worth It? Helping to Determine the Costs of Online Courses. Brian M. Morgan, Marshall University, WV. An excellent detailed explanation of cost analysis, cases, and a template to help determine costs based on your input. 
http://webpages.marshall.edu/~morgan16/onlinecosts/

The Costs and Costing of Networked Learning. Greville Rumble, The Open University, United Kingdom, Journal of Asynchronous Learning Vol. 5 issue 2, September 2001. This paper discusses both the emerging evidence on the costs of networked learning, relative to other forms of education, and costing methods.
http://www.aln.org/alnweb/journal/Vol5_issue2/Rumble/Rumble.htm

  • Does the system support course facilitator and course expert participation in moderated discussions and knowledge sharing?
  • Is instruction provided for course facilitators and mentors?

  • Who has control over course content? Do you have an Intellectual Property Policy in place for distance learning?

  • Does the outsourcing provider have experience in traditional education. Do they understand the culture and politics?

  • How is my data protected from unauthorized uses?

  • How often is data backed up and what methods are used?

  • Is "uptime" guaranteed?

  • How do you terminate the agreement and retrieve all your content?

Questions? Need to discuss your needs? Contact: partners@cristalla.com  or call us at 301 530 2218 and we will be glad to discuss you needs without obligation.

 

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