Objective Evaluation in an Online Geographic Information System Certificate Program

dc.creator	Scott L. WALKER
dc.date	2005-01-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-08-12T11:21:23Z
dc.date.available	2015-08-12T11:21:23Z
dc.identifier	1302-6488
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/8fae42a44bee466b8f8ccc70d3a02d70
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/28902
dc.description	Objective Evaluation in an Online Geographic Information System Certificate Program Asst. Professor. Dr. Scott L. WALKER Texas State University-San Marcos San Marcos, Texas, USA ABSTRACT Departmental decisions regarding distance education programs can be subject to subjective decision-making processes influenced by external factors such as strong faculty opinions or pressure to increase student enrolment. This paper outlines an evaluation of a departmental distance-education program. The evaluation utilized several methods that strived to inject objectivity in evaluation and subsequent decision-making. A rapid multi-modal approach included evaluation methods of (1) considering the online psychosocial learning environment, (2) content analyses comparing the online version of classes to face-to-face versions, (3) cost comparisons in online vs. face-to-face classes, (4) student outcomes, (5) student retention, and (6) benchmarking. These approaches offer opportunities for departmental administrators and decision-making committees to make judgments informed by facts rather than being influenced by the emotions, beliefs, or opinions of organizational dynamics.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey
dc.relation	http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/tojde17/pdf/walker.pdf
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/1302-6488
dc.source	The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, Vol 6, Iss 1, Pp 60-75 (2005)
dc.subject	evaluation
dc.subject	distance education
dc.subject	certificate program
dc.subject	geography
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Special aspects of education
dc.subject	LC8-6691
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.title	Objective Evaluation in an Online Geographic Information System Certificate Program
dc.type	article