Does the movement to distance education fit with the institution’s missions and goals?
Some institutions may enter the distance education market to maintain competitiveness; others may do so because their recruitment staff identified a market need. Some see this movement as a means to increase revenues in these difficult financial times without the need for brick and mortar facilities. Regardless of the reason, the critical issues for readiness are as follows:
• Does the movement to distance education fit with the institution’s missions and goals?
• Is the institution ready to invest in the technologies necessary to produce a quality program?
• Does the institution have the resources—people, money, and time—to develop and implement the program?
• Does the institution have faculty buy-in? Does it have administrative commitment? Does it have staff buy-in?