The Cost Effectiveness of Distance Education Institutions
This was an interesting module because we had the opportunity to communicate with Greville Rumble. While I didn’t get to participate much in this module due to surgery, and then unforeseen medical issues, along with getting settled from a move during this semester, I enjoyed going back in and reading the dialogue that occurred among Professor Thomas, my classmates, and Rumble. It is interesting to be able to actually interact with the author of our textbook, and I do believe that I am going to purchase the “The Management of Distance Education” guide for my own purposes. When I think of the terms, “Efficiency and Effectiveness,” I think of an institution trying to improve the quality of education at their institution without increasing the costs. From the chapters, it is my understanding that dual mode institutions are more cost efficient than single mode institutions (Rumble, 1997). I think this is the case because the students have options in the delivery of their education. The options make it more likely for the students to complete their programs and graduate because students are able to explore the options, and then use the delivery mode that best suits their needs, whether it is the use of the single mode of delivery or the dual mode.
On the subject of cost effectiveness, I can agree that cost effectiveness can be measured through student performance (Rumble, 1997). I say that because the structure of the distance learning environment, as well as the methods and the technologies used, greatly impact student performance. An institution can use student performance to determine whether or not they should keep the existing methods and technologies or change them. If effectiveness is about doing the right things, as indicated in the module conferences, then the institution must be sure that they are using the correct approaches to ensure that they are providing a quality education, one that retains students until they complete their programs, and train students well so that they can benefit the gaining corporations upon completing their programs, while benefitting themselves in the process.
On the subject of social justice and distance education, I don’t believe that the attainment of education necessarily exempts us from living a bad life, it just broadens the opportunities that we have, which makes it unlikely for us to live a bad life. An individual can decide to pursue an education, complete the education, and then have difficulty finding employment in the field. The education itself, does not guarantee employment, it makes it more likely for us to obtain employment even if it means that we create our own employment. Further, society will always appear to be unjust because there will always be the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Social inequality has to exist for there to be order in society. Everyone cannot be at the top of the prestige scale. There has to be a balance for society to function smoothly. However, education is available to individuals at all levels, and individuals that work in lower paid service occupations have to participate in training, which is education, in order to stay on top of their occupation. With that, it is a human right for individuals to pursue the level of education that they desire to pursue, whether it is a general education or a graduate education.
Reference:
Rumble, G. (1997). The costs and economics of open and distance learning. London: RoutledgeFalmer.
