Ventana software support forum

Reply to: Differential equations (SD0918)

>Have the creators of Road Maps considered offering an electronic course.

The suggestion of an electronic course based on present and future "Road
Maps" is an interesting idea.

Being able to do so would depend on financial support, which would need to
come in two stages:

1. At the present time we are not adequately funded to be sure that the
Road Maps work can continue at the level that it should. Does anyone have
suggestions?

2. There would need to be additional long-term funding to make any kind of
electronic course practical. Do we get general financial support, or
charge enough "tuition" to make it possible? Would there be people who
would want guided and monitored study if they had to pay for it?

Jay W. Forrester
Professor of Management, Emeritus
and Senior Lecturer, Sloan School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Room E60-389
Cambridge, MA 02139
tel: 617-253-1571
fax: 617-252-1998

email: jforestr@mit.edu

At 06:09 PM 6/12/97 JF wrote:
>Reply to: Differential equations (SD0918)
>>Have the creators of Road Maps considered offering an electronic course.
>Being able to do so would depend on financial support, which would need to

I am truly excited that my question generated your response. I wish I had
some detailed ideas on how to establish such a course. But Ill give my
thoughts...

On the first point, no, I do not have any specific ideas. My brief
experience in the ST/SD world, however, indicates a growing market and
interests across the globe. Seems that some funding sources might be
interested, particularlly in coupled with the hard-look being made at many
universities for innovative ways to meet the changing demand for higher
education in the face of shrinking budgets.... Im thinking of some kind of
partnerships that might, for example, permit students to enroll or get
course credit at their existing institution.

On the second point, I would allude to the end of my first comment and add
that, I would not suggest that this course become an "executive-level"
course (like the ones offered for hundreds of dollars). For myself, as a
graduate student and fully employed worker, I would be willing to pay for
the course a rate similar or slightly above my existing tuition/credit fees
with the expectation that my course "certificate" would distiguish me apart
from others in the "field."

Perhaps a tiered tuition structure for two different levels of the course
might be offered. It has been a while since I last worked throught Road
Maps, but it seems that there might be an electronic Road Maps I and Road
Maps II (perhaps I would inlcude the first 3/4 chapters, II the remainder).
Similar to a two-quarter or semester series, the second would build upon the
first. This might permit those interested in the "user" level to complete a
certified training course. Then, those interested in more advanced modeling
could move onto the second level. (the tuition fees could reflect the
differences in audiences and course materials). This reflects some of the
SD-List recent discussion on the varying uses and levels of ST/SD.

There is my two-cents worth. Thank you, again, Professor Forrester (and the
others associated with Road Maps), for your response and consideration of
this idea.

Sincerely,
John,
*******************************
* John Holden *
* E-MAIL: holden.24@osu.edu *
* PHONE: (614) 292-5545 (day)*
* PHONE: (614) 262-6838 (eve)*
* FAX: (614) 292-0078 *
*******************************

Dr. Forrester, et. al.


> 1. At the present time we are not adequately funded to be sure that the
> Road Maps work can continue at the level that it should. Does anyone have
> suggestions?

It seems to me that corporate partnerships/sponsorships could be
developed. Several firms have made substantial investments in SD models
and would be supportive of, not only the roadmaps, but an electronic course
to build-up their community of SD practitioners. A course constructed
under your oversight of MIT students would be a very attractive alternative
to the relatively limited SD educational opportunities available.

I teach online courses with the University of Phoenix in Operations
Management and Strategy Formulation and Implementation. It is a very
stimulating and educational environment. One that I believe will soon
transform corporate training/education as firms better understand how they
can leverage their investment in Intranet systems. The costs saved by
reducing training-related travel expenses and time away from the office is
huge! In addition, a well designed online course provides a terrific
forum in which participants apply the course material to current examples
at their own companies. This sort of interaction is very tough to beat.

I would be happy and honored to share some more ideas or information on
developing an online SD course if there is further interest.

Bob Payne
Project Engineer,
MASD, Northrop Grumman Corp.
bpayne@ptw.com