Overcoming the Distance in Distance Education, 3

Development Time and Cost
Development time would be one month from approval. The trainers would be selected with trial classes before upscaling to the entire enterprise, if the results merited widespread implementation. The cost would be minimal due to the infrastructure already being in place. The trainers would be paid the standard amount for short-term workshops. The administrative workshop could be completed in two days, the instructors’ workshop in three days. The materials cost would depend upon license fees being necessary for reproduced essays.

Assessment of the Program
The administrators and faculty would first be asked to comment on the classes, using UOP resources. Issues would include whether the program caused them to rethink and improve their online interaction. A more significant assessment would be to follow some administrators and faculty in their efforts to implement the changes. Various instruments could measure the response of faculty to administrators and students to instructors with the changes made.

Additional Approaches
The University might consider certification in a master teacher program, which would require specialized faculty development courses for the designation, when successfully completed, with the incentive of additional pay. The Apollo Corporate University already has similar programs for management.
Conclusion

Limited research has shown a need for warmth in administrative work and online education. Administrators and faculty can be trained to add the human dimension more often to the distance education environment. The stated learning objectives will help close the gap between expectations and experience in e-education. Learning will be more effective and satisfying when the objectives are met.