Step 4. Secure commitment from all participants
and identify and address potential barriers to
implementation
Technical needs are important in an online course, but
the human element is critical. Secure acceptance and commitment
from all involved—administrators and faculty in
addition to learners. In our experience, potential barriers
include resistance to online learning, inadequate computer
skills, insufficient time, or perception that the curriculum
is a low priority. Identifying barriers early allows you to
address them in a timely manner—before implementation
begins. Greenhalgh
17
suggests targeting staff development
to the needs of a given project, rewarding staff who participate
in online initiatives with recognition or promotion,
encouraging collaboration between content experts, educators,
and technical specialists, and actively working to
change organizational culture.