Dollars, Distance, and Online Education: The New Economics of College Teaching and Learning

by Martin J. Finkelstein, Frank I. Jewett, Bernhard W. Scholz, Carol Frances, Judith V. Boettcher

Overview

Instructional technology and distance learning have changed the meaning of attending college. Today's students can now learn through various forms of electronic communications media, including radio, television, the computer, and the Internet. But are the costs outweighing the benefits? This new addition to the Series on Higher Education, analyzes and assesses the costs of information technology for teaching and learning in higher education. Containing 15 essays that identify the positive and negative cost implications of information technology, this timely and detailed resource also explores how the increased use of information technology is transforming higher education, the different ways it can be used to teach different kinds of students, and the impact this increased spending has on college budgets.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781573563956
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/19/2000
Series:	Series on Higher Education
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.33(w) x 9.37(h) x 1.14(d)

About the Author

MARTIN J. FINKELSTEIN is Professor of Higher Education at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he was the founding director of the New Jersey Institute for Collegiate Teaching and Learning. CAROL FRANCES is Visiting Scholar/Professor at both the Claremont Graduate University and Seton Hall University. FRANK I. JEWETT is currently a special consultant in academic affairs in the Chancellors Office of the California State University BERNHARD W. SCHOLZ is Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the New Jersey Institute for Collegiate Teaching and Learning.

Table of Contents

1 Foreword 2 Preface 3 Part 1: Mapping the Territory 4 Overview: What Do We Know about Information Technology and the Cost of Collegiate Teaching and Learning? 5 Conceptual Framework and Terminology in Higher Education 6 What Is Information Technology in Higher Education? 7 Costing Technology-Based Education: Research Studies from the UK, Canada, the European Community, and Australia 8 Part 2: A Framework for the Comparative Analysis of the Costs of Classroom Instruction vis-a-vis Distributed Instruction 9 Understanding the COSTS of Information Technology (IT) Support Services in Higher Education 10 Assessing Educational Quality Using Student Satisfaction 11 Courseware for Remedial Mathematics: A Case Study in the Benefits and Costs of the Mediated Learning System in the California State University 12 How Much Does It Cost to Put a Course Online? It All Depends 13 Costs of Ubiquitous Computing: A Case Study at Seton Hall University 14 Procedures for Calculating the Costs of Alternative Modes of Instructional Delivery 15 Part 3: Caveats and Option 16 Wide-Angle View of the Costs of Introducing New Technologies to the Instructional Program 17 From Managing Expenditures to Managing Costs: Strategic Management for Information Technology 18 Faculty Costs and Compensation in Distance Education 19 The Future of Higher Education in an Internet World: Twilight or Dawn? 20 Conclusions 21 Resources

Editorial Reviews

Dollars, Distance, and Online Education is an extremely important work. Its overall breadth and the depth of each contribution make it the definitive text on the 'new economics of higher education.' In fact, one could easily see it serving as the core text in a special-topics graduate seminar on technology costs in higher education finance. This collection will be of interest to university and college workers who want to know what administrators are being told about the financial costs and benefits of online education. This book is an important resource, and campus administrators will find a wealth of useful details to help them manage their immediate technology crises and incorporate technology into their primary planning process throughout campus. Budget analysts, whether on campus, in systems or working for elected officials will find the detailed case studies, cost equations, planning and accounting methodologies to be helpful. Campus academic officers also need this handbook.

Economics of Education Review

Dollars, Distance, and Online Education is an extremely important work. Its overall breadth and the depth of each contribution make it the definitive text on the 'new economics of higher education.' In fact, one could easily see it serving as the core text in a special-topics graduate seminar on technology costs in higher education finance. This collection will be of interest to university and college workers who want to know what administrators are being told about the financial costs and benefits of online education. This book is an important resource, and campus administrators will find a wealth of useful details to help them manage their immediate technology crises and incorporate technology into their primary planning process throughout campus. Budget analysts, whether on campus, in systems or working for elected officials will find the detailed case studies, cost equations, planning and accounting methodologies to be helpful. Campus academic officers also need this handbook.

Economics Of Education Review

With the cost of college rising faster than the rate of inflation, how can institutes of higher learning make information technology (IT) a priority, when online education drives up the cost? This collection of essays attempts to answer this and similar questions by providing information on what is already known about adding IT to higher education and what should be considered in the future. IT is defined here as "nonprint electronic communications that includes radio, television, and the digital computer and the Internet." And while IT certainly needs to be a part of college instruction--it, indeed, already is--the extent of its use is often determined by a college's ability to fund it. These essays raise important issues relating to copyright and fair use policies, faculty competence and cooperation, student performance and satisfaction, and hidden costs. But the average lay reader may find the writing too technical and hard to plow through. Most suitable for academic libraries.--Terry Christner, Hutchinson P.L., KS Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Education scholars, college administrators and instructors, and information-technology specialists identify the positive and negative cost implications for electronic and distance teaching. They look at different ways it can be used to teach different kinds of students, and the impact the increased spending has on college budgets. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews