Category: Research Methods, Theory & Rhetoric, Technology
Summary:
Common belief currently stated that distance education is less expensive to institutions than traditional brick and mortal instruction. This article provided information and fiscal considerations for those institutions considering adding distance education courses.
The authors focus on the fixed costs of:
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) / Course Management Systems (CMS)
- Program administration like salaries, infrastructure, equipment, travel, supplies, and bandwidth.
and the variable costs of:
- Instructors
- Per-student costs
Santovec suggested that the best way to reduce costs is to negotiate the cost with vendors. She then stressed the importance of having systems that work so instructors spend their time on academic issues, not on technical challenges or problems.
