Factors affecting the development of distance education courses

Abstract

This exploratory case study identifies factors and relationships among factors facilitating and impeding the development of distance education courses at Syracuse University, a large, private traditional university located in Central New York State. During September and October 1990 Syracuse University's Center for Instructional Development used an author/editor course development model (Smith, 1980) to create eight print‐based, undergraduate courses for United States Marines stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield.

Interviews with course developers and faculty authors produced six factors associated with the success of the course development process: course definition, faculty perception of student abilities, textbook selection, the extent of faculty/developer conflict, faculty flexibility, and faculty/developer working relationships. Course development success was indicated by timeliness, smoothness, and satisfaction with the course product.