Effectiveness and costs of DE

Distance Education and the Internet TECH4101

Dr. Alaa SadikInstructional & Learning Technologies Department

[email protected]

Lecture Three Key Issues in Distance Education The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Distance Education Technology

Distance Education and the Internet TECH4101

A debate about the effect of the distance education technology on the learning outcomes presents two opposing viewpoints.

Effectiveness of Distance Education Technology

Viewpoint 1

The medium used to deliver an educational programme can affect only the efficiency of delivery, not the outcomes of the learning.


Viewpoint 1

For example,

Television can facilitate reaching a wide range of learners (using satellite) and reduce the time of learning (using audio-visual presentation).


Viewpoint 1

Therefore, there are no significant differences between the results of students who learn by television and others who learn in traditional classes (face-to-face education).


Viewpoint 2

The medium can have an impact on the learning outcomes apart from its capabilities as a delivery medium.


Viewpoint 2

For example,

Using television affect students’ performance and attitudes. In addition, television is easy to access, motivate students to learn and can reach students who can’t attend the class.


Viewpoint 2 Therefore, there are significant differences between the results of students who learn by television and others who learn in traditional classes (face-to-face education).


So, what is your point of view?


The majority of studies agree with the first point of view (that using the medium can affect only the efficiency of delivery, not the outcomes of learning).


For example,- Instructional strategy, rather than the medium, influences the learning process.

- Instructional approach affects the development in learners’ achievement.


For example,- Only the use of adequate instructional methods influences learning acquired.

- The majority of these studies have shown that distance education students achieve as well as, traditional classroom students .


Since distance education relies on technology to deliver instruction and support the learner, a great part of its cost is that of technology.

Costs of Distance Education Technology

The costs of distance education programmes depend on the choice of technology and level of support.

For example, costs of equipment, costs of learning materials, costs of operation, tutoring, technical support, etc.


How?Some institutions use cheap forms of technology and do not provide support for students or encourage interaction.

However, others use expensive technology in which tutorial-style interaction is usually incorporated (personal tutoring using telephone).


Structure of cost Production: the costs of designing and

developing teaching materials. Delivery: the costs of delivering materials

to distance students. Support: the administrators’, facilitators’

and tutors’ salaries.


Type of costs

Fixed costs Variable costs Average cost Marginal cost


Fixed costs The initial costs of purchasing the equipment. These costs do not depend on the size of audiences or number of courses in the programme.

Variable costs The costs that depend on the size of audiences and number of courses in each programme (e.g., costs of teachers, materials, etc.).


Average cost

The cost of a programme for each student per study hour.

Marginal cost

Marginal costs are the costs of adding one or more units of output (student) to the program.


Costs of Distance Education Technology Calculating the cost The total cost can be approximated using the following formula:

where: AC (N) is the cost per number of studentsF is the fixed costN is the number of studentsV is the variable costs

VN

FNAC )(

Costs of Distance Education Technology Examples of technology costs A cost function that can estimate the total cost of using

broadcasting radio and television

where:CC = central costs (costs of research, planning and start up the

programme)PP = programming costs (production equipment, facilities, etc.)TT = transmission costs (transmission operation and equipment)RR = reception costs (receivers, power, etc.)

RTPC CCCCTC

Questions & Discussions

The End

Effectiveness and costs of DE

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