Economics of Distance and Online Learning Theory, Practice and Research

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the organizational models of distance and online learning from an international perspective and from the point of view of economic planning, costing and management decision-making. The book points to directions for the further research and development in this area, and will promote further understanding and critical reflection on the part of administrators, practitioners and researchers of distance education. The experiences and perspectives in distance education in the US are balanced with those in other areas of the world.

Chapter 1: Organizational and Cost Structures for Distance and Online Learning, William J. Bramble and Santosh Panda Chapter 2: Changing Distance Education and Changing Organizational Issues, D. Randy Garrison and Heather Kanuka Chapter 3: Online Learning and the University, Chris Curran Chapter 4: Virtual Schooling and Basic Education, Thomas Clark Chapter 5: Historical Perspectives on Distance Education in the United States, Paul J. Edelson and Von Pittman Chapter 6: Funding of Distance and Online Learning in the United States, Mark J. Smith and William J. Bramble Chapter 7: Funding Distance Education: A Regional Perspective, Santosh Panda and Ashok Gaba Chapter 8: Costs and Quality of Online Learning, Alistair Inglis Chapter 9: Costing Virtual University Education, Insung Jung Chapter 10: Cost-Benefit of Student Retention Policies and Practice, Ormond Simpson Chapter 11: Cost-Benefit of Online Learning, Zane L. Berge and Charlotte Donaldson Chapter 12: Transforming Workplace Learning: The Role of Embedded Learning in Creating a Competitive Workforce, Jade Nguyen Strattner and Diana Oblinger Chapter 13: Open Basic Education: Organizational Structures, Costs, and Benefits, Palitha Edirisingha Chapter 14: From Baobab to Bonsai: Revisiting Methodological Issues in the Costs and Economics of Distance Education and Distributed e-Learning, Thomas Hülsmann Chapter 15: Implications for Planning and Management of Distance and Online Learning, William Bramble and Santosh Panda