A MULTI-CASE STUDY OF THE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BASED ON CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Abstract:
This purpose of this qualitative research were 1) To study the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for Online and Distance Learning (ODL) in Higher Education (HE) which related to the framework and scope of Educational Technology and Communications center (ETC center), 2) To explore the management of ETC center based on the CSFs for ODL in HE, and 3) To synthesize the strategic management of ETC center based on the CSFs for ODL in HE. Samples included 10 executives and staff from ETC center and ODL programs, 5 online instructors, and 8 online learners. Qualitative research methods including document research, observation, in-depth interview, and data triangulation were used for data collecting, analyzing, and interpreting. The synthesized strategic management frameworks, including operating strategies, were agreed by ETC experts. The research instruments were content analysis form, semi- structured interview form, and assessment of strategic management form. The findings of the study were as the following: 1. Four primary CSFs for ODL in HE related to the framework and scope of ETC centers were 1) Institute management factors (3 secondary factors were: program framework factor involved program planning, organization structure, coordinating and budgeting, operation factor included public relations, orientation, and registration, and cost effectiveness factor included technical infrastructure investments), 2) Instructional design factor (1 secondary factor was learning management system factor included e-Courseware and student tracking, 3) Service and support factor (2 secondary factors were: human resources included learners, instructors, and staff support and electronic resources involved online help desk), and 4) Course evaluation factor (1 secondary factor was quality management factor involved quality management of distance education). 2. There were two different management models of ETC center for ODL in HE based on the CSFs. However, both models had five similarity framework related to support ODL program which were 1) technical infrastructure investments, 2) e-Courseware design, 3) student support, 4) instructor support, and 5) online help desk support. The first model of ETC center management showing the embedded-ETC center in the ODL program which changed from the traditional ETC center. While the second model showed the new form of ETC center by covering the program management part as the office of online education adding 10 more frameworks as following: 6) program planning, 7) organization structure, 8) coordination, 9) budgeting, 10) public relations, 11) student orientation, 12) registration, 13) student tracking, 14) staff support, and 15) quality management of distance education. 3. Strategic management of ETC center in the first model had 5 frameworks including 42 operating strategies and 15 frameworks involving 62 operating strategies were included in the second model.